Lake levels will remain around the 359ft mark this week, with flows a little slower than we have been seeing most of the spring. Flow rates over the last weekend were averaging between 13-30,000cfs. The average surface water temperature is climbing, with 72 degrees on Saturday. The DO level is at 10.42, and the pH level has risen, and was at 8.18 on Saturday. The Duck river was at 4.4ft on Saturday and the Buffalo at 6ft. We are expecting a little rain this week, and expect some change by the time you read this. Cheatham dam is releasing 7,000cfs with a reservoir at 385.7ft, and tail-water elevation of 360ft.
Fishing continues to improve, mostly due to the reduction in the wind, as gale-forced winds subside, fishermen now can get out and fish areas they have not been able to. The crappie has mostly now moved back out to the 10-15ft range, looking for food (shad), with a few still in shallow spawning, but fishermen have been moving a lot to find numbers in the shallows. Bass have mostly moved off shore, although some are still being found in the bushes and “willows” looking for food. Hopefully we will see a successful spawn this year, with the water in the bushes when spawning started, conditions seem like we will have good recruitment with many of our fish, and once again seeing Kentucky lake become what it once was. Catfish are still roaming the shallows, looking for the spawning bluegill and shellcrackers that have set up shop. Some fishermen have been coming up with some good numbers of catfish on the main river as well. Many bluegill and shellcracker fishermen have been finding them on bed this past week, and its shaping up to be a excellent year for shellcrackers! Many “tried and true” shellcracker fishermen” will say the best fishing will be in and around the full moon, which is to happen on May 23rd this year, but whatever you believe, the fish are already on bed, and fishermen shouldn't wait if having an opportunity to head out and find some. Look in protected areas off the main river, backs of bays, pockets without current, etc. but usually with a harder bottom and with grass or other vegetation nearby. Red-eared sunfish (shellcrackers) are mostly a bottom feeding fish, eating snails, worms, insects, and crustaceans, so fishing near or on the bottom will be the best method. Moving along the shoreline in water depths of 2-6ft deep, tossing worms, wax worms, crickets or small artificial baits near cover until a “bed” is found is my best technique to find them when I don’t know a traditional area with spawning beds.
We now have until May 26th until the end of the spring turkey season, and as of last Friday, here are the totals; Benton-250, Dickson-635, Houston-251, Humphreys-446, Hickman-568, Perry-235 and the top harvesting Co remains Maury, with 807 birds. The statewide total is now at 24,684. Squirrel hunters should be ready soon, with the spring (Mulberry season) squirrel season beginning on May 11th, limits are 10/day. The big news with TWRA is the new “night hunting of coyotes and bobcats” that was passed during the last commission meeting. This season will open on July 1st and hunters are reminded that its only on private lands with written landowner permission, Bobcats may not be harvested until the season opens, (Mid November), more information can be found at TWRA’s website; TnWildlife.org
Upcoming events; USFWS “family Spring Fling Festival” on May 11th at the Springville visitor center at 10am-12pm.(731-642-2091), Hickman Co. Bass Club “Benefit tournament” on May 16th out of Cuba landing marina for the Brite family who lost their house to a fire (Bryan Hablutzel 615-210-0370), Boater Ed class on May 18th at the Stewart Co. Visitor Center in Dover (Miranda Garner 629-201-0140), USA BASSIN Danville Division on May 26th at Danville (Zachary Cobb 931-801-8520), USA BASSIN NewJohnsonville Division on May 25th at NewJohnsonville 6an-3pm(Jammy McCloud 931-209-7795), Hickman co bass club on May 25th at Masons boat dock (Nathan Clinard 931-623-2021), Clarksville Bass Club on May 25th on Old Hickory lake (Todd Schmittou 931-980-1009).