Steve McCadams

Fall has been riding on a slow moving train. It has left the station but won’t officially arrive until September 22.

Until then, keep the iced tea jug handy. Summer always seems to be stubborn about loosening its grip.

Already changes are taking place across Kentucky Lake as once the big Labor Day holiday passes overall activity diminishes. Recreational boaters sort of begin the early phases of hibernation as many will toss in the towel after last week’s big summer fling.

That doesn’t mean it’s over; just a decline in the crowd out there on the waterways.

Actually, autumn days are quite rewarding out there on the lake for both recreational boating and fishing. For some it’s their favorite time of year.

Not having to fight the crowd at the boat ramps and elsewhere on the lake is the cat’s meow for scores of Kentucky Lake boaters. Anglers prefer to fight the fish and not the armada of big wave making rigs that leave huge wakes across the lake.

Campgrounds thrive in the cool crisp air of an autumn night. The light winds push the fragrance of an oak simmering campfire across the area. Nothing says more about the change in seasons.

Meanwhile, if you plan to partake of the autumn outdoors out on the lake be sure to observe lower lake levels and pay close attention to channel markers. Resist the temptation to take those shortcuts across shallow sandbars like you did back in the early summer.

The TWRA is pleased to report there were no boating-related fatalities during the previous major holiday weekends of this summer season, including Memorial Day and the July 4th holiday. So far this year, there have been 15 boating-related fatalities on state waters, compared to 17 at this same time in 2025.

Let’s hope the last holiday of summer boating season was a safe one.

Fall is great on the lake but it’s a bit different for all boaters. Right now lake levels are in the 356.4 range, which is almost three feet lower than summer pool. By the end of September there will be even lower lake levels than when you were riding around to and from your favorite sandy beaches and boat docks earlier this summer.

Pay close attention to your sonar units and channel marker buoys. Slow down whenever you enter unfamiliar water. Don’t throw caution to the wind and speed about just because it looks okay on the surface. Danger lurks below. And, always wear that life jacket!

This week surface temperatures have hung on to the 86 to 88 degree range. Hot weather has dominated the outdoor scene but some relief is underway as the weatherman says cooler days and nights are about to enter the picture.

Water color remains clear across the reservoir. According to TVA’s curve lake levels will continue to fall slowly throughout the fall, headed toward winter pool.

From the fishing scene comes decent reports from a few crappie fishermen who are finding their buried treasures relating to structure in the 11 to 14 foot zones. Some have been caught in 9 to 11 foot depths this week despite hot weather.

Paying the biggest dividends have been jigs tipped with live minnows. Finding structure in those midrange depths have produced crappie lately. That live minnow has been appealing but expect to do battle with bait stealing schools of aggressive yellow bass in-between bites.

Culling through several of the annoying little rascals is just the price to pay whenever you locate a brushpiles or stakebed in those midrange depths. Like the crappie they too are in hot pursuit of shad, which have moved up recently.

Sometimes crappie fishermen just have to pull up their lines and move out of a zone just to get away from the annoying yellow bass but at times crappie will be right in there with them, duking it out for position.

As surface temps cool watch for even more crappie to slowly stair-step their way toward shallow structure both on main lake sandbars and up in bays and creeks off the main lake.

On Kentucky Lake there are always crappie scattered about in deep water too so finding some deep structure is likely worth testing.

A few scattered sightings of white bass busting the surface are still ongoing, especially out on main lake areas near the river channel. Casting Rooster Tails and spoons has been productive.

Bass fishermen continue their onslaught around main lake ledges using shad colored crankbaits plus some spoons and Texas rigged worms or jig and craw combos.

Shallow gravel banks or big chunk rock points are due to begin producing as shad move up in the early morning and later afternoon hot on the path of shad. The lowlight conditions can be productive for some good topwater action in the weeks ahead.

Shad will flick the surface as they feed on microscopic insects, namely midges, along gravel areas and the bass move up on short feeding sprees.

Catfishermen are still finding activity along the main channel banks whenever current aids them. Depths of 35 to 45 feet have produced. If the current is present then the bite is on. Without moving water it has been pretty tough for those chasing ole’ whiskers.