The lake level remains stable and the water is clear in the main lake. With the recent heavy rains anglers may find more turbid water conditions in the upper sections of the lake. Largemouth bass anglers are having the best success catching decent size fish after 9 PM on crankbaits, top water, and plastics around structure. It took just a fuzz under 9 pounds to win a bass tournament conducted last Saturday night at the lake and the tournament anglers reported good catches of bass within the slot limit (13-16 inch fish). Muskie fishing is fair using spinner baits at this time and should improve as temperatures get cooler. While at the lake, try fishing for smallmouth bass along the rocks located in Scotts Creek, along Rt. 801 from Scotts Creek boat ramp to the dam, and in the vicinity of the confluence of the Licking River and Beaver Creek. Amazingly, white bass are still in the jumps as anglers are reporting seeing small schools here and there lake wide. These jumps are not lasting long so be prepared. Try casting Silver Buddies or Kastmasters for white bass.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Recourses

Fred R. Howes
Fishery Biologist
Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Res.
Northeastern Fishery District
120 Fish Hatchery Rd.

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The lake level remains stable and the outflow below the dam has been reduced to 50 cfs. Water temperatures range from 77 degrees at the surface down to 74.0 degrees at 25 feet. Dissolved oxygen levels are good down to 15 feet. Largemouth bass continue being caught on plastics near weed beds in the late evening or during the night. Look for the weed beds to start dying back as we approach fall. Water temperatures are cooling off somewhat a head of what would normally be expected during this time of year so bass fishermen may want to start planning for their fall fishing earlier than normal. Muskie fishing is once again starting to pick up some as anglers are having success using spinnerbaits. If muskie fishing follows the trends seen during the fall of 2008 and spring/summer of 2009, look for some exceptional fishing coming this fall. Now is a good time to jug fish for channel and flathead catfish at the lake. Try using stink baits, chicken livers, or live bluegill.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Recourses

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The main lake remains murky and the water level is stable at 1-inch above summer pool. Water temperatures range from 78 degrees at the surface to 74.5 degrees at 25 feet.  Dissolved oxygen levels are good down to 16 feet.  Muskie fishing has slowed greatly this week.  As fall approaches and the water cools some, try crappie fishing up theLicking River or in North Fork Creek. While up in this area you will find plenty of offshore structure along with channel drop offs to concentrate your fishing efforts.  Please be careful in these areas as there are lots of submerged tree stumps just below water level. The best way to access these areas are from either Bangor or Poppin Rock boat ramps.  Several ramps located around the lake require a fee in order to park or launch a boat so please check with the United States Forest Service prior to launching.  Largemouth bass are still being caught on plastics near weed beds in the late evening or during the night.  As water temperatures begin to cool, it won’t be too long before largemouth start hitting top water lures.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Recourses`

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The main lake remains murky and the water level is stable at 2-inches above summer pool. Muskie anglers are still reporting catching muskie; however, fishing has been much slower than last week.  Muskie are being caught at depths around 15 feet near weed beds.  Largemouth bass fishing appears to be not as slow as it has been last week as bass anglers are reporting decent catches of fish in and above the slot limit.  Cave Run Lake has a 13-16 inch protective slot limit which means anglers can not keep largemouth bass in this size range but may harvest largemouth bass above 16 inches and below 13 inches.  Largemouth bass are being caught on plastics near weed beds in the late evening or during night.  Anglers are continuing to catch some nice crappie during the day at depths around 15 to 20 feet on minnows and jigs.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Recourses

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The main lake remains murky and the water level has been falling around 7.5 inches per 24 hour period. The lake is ½ foot about summer pool. Surprisingly enough, muskie fishing has been picking up as anglers are catching nice size fish in the shallows by casting double bladed spinner baits and Bulldogs. If water temperatures remain warmer, look for muskie fishing to slow. A few bass are being caught during the day at depths around 15 feet but the best time to fish continues to be at night. Anglers are catching some nice crappie during the day but most success has been occurring at night under the lights using minnows.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

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The lake main lake is murky and the water level has been rising 4.5 inches every 24 hours and is about 2.6 feet above summer pool after recent heavy rains.  Fishing remains pretty slow for most species right now though fishing at night for largemouth bass should still prove to be productive around weed beds and structure using plastics and top water baits.  As of 06 August, water coloration in the Poppin Rock area is good.   Anglers are reporting catching crappie under the lights on minnows in the main lake area.  The water discharge rate in the tailwater is 3,135 CFS so please be careful in this area.  If you are planning on fishing in the tailwaters, try fishing slack water areas.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

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The lake main lake is murky and the water level has been rising one inch per every 24 hours. Dissolved oxygen levels are good down to 25 feet where the temperature is 71° F. Fishing in general is pretty slow for most species right now though fishing at night for largemouth bass should still prove to be productive around weed beds and structure using plastics and top water baits. Largemouth bass are being caught at depths around 2 to 10 feet up the Licking River where the water temperatures are slightly cooler. If you are planning on fishing either the Licking River or Beaver Creek arms of the lake, please scout these areas out during daylight hours before attempting to navigate at night due to the many submerged tree stumps, of which, the tops are just below water level and very hard to see. Please remember to always ware your PFD when on the water.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

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The water temperature at the lake is 3 to 4 degrees cooler than what has been experienced in the last couple of weeks so daytime fishing for largemouth bass may prove to be somewhat more successful.  Largemouth bass are being caught off the deep side of weed beds on shaky heads and plastic worms.  A few good size smallmouth bass in the 5 to 6 pound range have been caught along rocky banks by anglers using wacky worms.  Smallmouth bass make up about 7% of the black bass population and are mainly found in the lower main lake section.  Channel catfish are still being caught in the tailwater area with chicken livers being the bait of choice.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Fred R. Howes
Fishery Biologist
Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Res.
Northeastern Fishery District
120 Fish Hatchery Rd.
Morehead, KY 40351
Phone 606-783-8650

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The tailwater temperature is 71.2° F and anglers have been having some success catching rainbow trout, bluegill and channel catfish in this area.  The best time to fish for largemouth bass is at night and also during late evening or early morning using top water baits.  During the daytime, try fishing in 10 to 14 feet of water around structure using deep diving crankbaits. Temperatures range from 79° F at the surface to 75° F at 20 feet. Crappie fishing is slow right now and if you want to give it a try, try fishing deeper structure located near creek channels or drop offs.  Now would be a good time to jug fish for catfish using live bluegill or stink baits.

Fred R. Howes
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

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