The biggest crappie caught in Kentucky to date is a 4-pound, 11-ounce black crappie that was caught by Matthew Gray in 2015 at Kentucky Lake in Livingston County. This crappie measured in at 22. 5 inches in length, setting a new state record which still stands today.
Gray described that he originally felt resistance on his rod and assumed it might be a bass, but to his surprise, it ended up being a record-breaking crappie.
Where is the crappie fishing in KY?
Crappie fishing in Kentucky is abundant throughout the state, with the best areas often being determined based on the season. In the springtime, Lake Barkley is a popular spot for crappie fishing and is home to a large population of crappie that can be caught throughout the area.
During the summer months, it is best to focus on the numerous waterways throughout the state, such as Barren River, Dale Hollow Lake, and Lake Cumberland. All of these areas are known for good crappie fishing, with large numbers of crappie being caught in the summer months.
In the fall, crappie fishing can be found in many of the same places, but it can also be found in Ohio River and Kentucky River, where the water is deep and often contains large numbers of crappie. With so many solid crappie fishing spots in Kentucky, there is plenty of opportunity to catch some big ones!.
What month is for crappie fishing on Kentucky Lake?
The best time to go crappie fishing on Kentucky Lake tends to be from March to June and then again in October and November. During the warm months of March to June, the crappie tend to be found in shallow water, usually less than seven feet deep.
Here they can feed off of the many smaller baitfish and insects. The cooler months of October and November tend to move the crappie to deeper water, usually around twelve to eighteen feet deep near brush piles and other structure.
Here the baitfish will be in abundance and make for a more targeted approach for a successful fishing excursion.
What is the record for the largest crappie caught?
The record for the largest crappie caught is held by Donald Weddel from Missouri who, on May 19th, 2018, caught a white crappie that weighed 5 pounds, 2 ounces. The fish was caught in a private lake near Warsaw, Missouri and measured 22 inches in length.
Weddel held the previous record for largest white crappie in Missouri which was 4. 67 pounds. This new record-breaker was authenticated by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Are there mountain lions or cougars in Kentucky?
No, there are no mountain lions or cougars that live in Kentucky. There were once cougars in the state, but the last one was killed in the late 1800s. While there have been occasional sightings of mountain lions in the state since the 2000s, there is no known population in Kentucky.
However, there is a small, isolated pocket of mountain lions in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park that may occasionally stray into the region. If a mountain lion is spotted in the state, it is typically reported to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and verified.
Has an alligator been found in Kentucky?
Yes, an alligator has been found in Kentucky- although it is a rare occurrence. In May 2007, a three-foot alligator was found near a lake in Bardstown, and again in June of 2013, a four-footer was reported in Lexington.
Following this discovery, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources began to study the possibility of an established population of alligators in Kentucky, as well as alligator reports throughout the region.
Although Kentucky was once home to a large alligator population, these sightings appear to have been isolated incidents. To this day, there have been no conclusive studies to suggest that an established alligator population exists in Kentucky, so reports of such sightings are rare.
Where is the place to fish for crappies?
Crappies are a type of freshwater fish found in many parts of the US, and they can be caught in many places. Some of the best places to fish for crappies include lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and ponds.
Fish in deeper, clear waters with structure such as logs, rocks, and docks in search of seasonal crappie hot spots. Lakes and ponds with a mixture of sand, gravel, and small vegetation tend to attract more activity from crappies.
Rivers and streams that contain weed beds, logs, and other debris provide ideal nesting grounds for these fish. In addition, rivers that contain fresh-running, cool water often contain an abundance of crappie.
Are crappie spawning now?
The timing of crappie spawning is dependent on the location and the climate. Generally speaking, crappie spawn when the water temperature has risen and is around 60°F. However, water temperatures can vary depending on the region, with crappie in southern waters often spawning earlier than those in northern areas.
Generally, crappie spawn during the spring months, late April through May. If you are looking to target crappie spawning, consider checking the local water temperatures for your specific region to determine if crappie spawning is happening now.
How deep are crappie now?
The average depth that crappie live in can vary in different conditions. In lakes and ponds, they tend to stay near the surface during the day and move to slightly deeper water in the afternoon. At night, they can be found in waters up to 25 feet deep.
In rivers and streams, crappie stay near the bottom in areas where there is a current. They can be found in depths of up to 7 feet. Crappie also congregate in areas with structure such as fallen timber, weeds, rocks, and underwater points.
They generally stay in water from 2-20 feet deep in these areas.
What’s the live bait for crappie?
Live bait is the most common way to catch crappie, and this often includes worms, small jigs, crickets, and small minnows. Live bait can be used to target crappie in a variety of ways, including vertically jigging, trolling, or even casting to areas with structure.
Crappie can also be attracted to live bait scents and flavored lures. Tipping a jig or lure with a live worm or shrimp will also draw in more crappie. When retrieving a live bait for crappie, it is important to remember that erratic moves often trigger strikes, so it is best to vary the speed and movement of the bait.
Generally, slower retrieves result in more hooked fish. Live bait is also successful when targeting crappie because the fish cannot resist the natural movement of the bait, a key factor for successful catches.
What time of day do crappie bite best?
Generally speaking, crappie are most active during dusk and dawn and tend to bite best at these times. While they may still bite throughout the day, morning and evening tend to provide the best fishing conditions for crappie.
Many fishermen will even adjust their schedule to get on the water specifically for these times of the day. Crappie can also be caught during the middle of the day, but most days will still produce the most consistent action near sunrise and sunset.
It’s important to understand the habits and preferences of crappie in the particular lake or river you are fishing. Conditions will vary between bodies of water and understanding the fish’s behavior may prove beneficial when looking for the best time of day to target crappie.
How deep should I fish for crappie in winter?
In winter, the depth at which you should fish for crappie will depend on several factors, including the water temperature and the availability of baitfish. Generally, when the water temperature is between 34-50°F, crappie will be most active in mid-depth ranges, between 6-12 feet.
They will often suspend in open water, especially when bait is present. You may find success fishing a bit shallower around cover such as weeds, stumps, brush, docks, and overhanging trees. During periods of cold weather with little or no wind, the fish may move deeper, around 15-20 feet.
When fishing deeper areas of the lake, try using a slow-tapping jigging technique and fish at a lower rate. A great tactic to use in deeper winter waters is to suspend a small jig or minnow underneath an ice fishing float.
This allows you to identify the precise depth of the fish and will help you target them more effectively.
Do crappies go deeper overnight?
Generally speaking, crappies do not go deeper overnight. During the day, crappies feed in shallow water near the surface where there is plenty of light and food. However, during the night they tend to hide beneath vegetation and structure, usually moving less than a few feet from their daytime locations.
This is because they are more vulnerable while they are sleeping; they seek shelter and concealment in order to avoid predation. Since they stay in the same general area overnight, they typically don’t go any deeper.
What temp do crappie stop biting?
The temperature at which crappie will stop biting depends on several factors, such as water temperature, wind, light, and type of bait being used. Generally, crappie will stop biting when the water temperature sinks below 50 degrees, or when the air temperature gets too warm or too cold.
Cold fronts can also cause a decline in crappie activity as they become less active and feed less frequently during these times. When water temperatures start to warm again and they become more active, crappie will resume biting.
Additionally, different times of day can affect activity levels. In the morning, when the light and water are cool, crappie are more active and actively feed. As the day progresses and the light and water warm, their activity slows and the likelihood of them biting decreases.
The type of bait used can also affect their activity in that artificial lures and live bait can perform differently in the water and cause a crappie to become more or less active. Ultimately, the temperature at which crappie stop biting is not a set number, but more a combination of factors.
How many crappie can you keep in KY?
In Kentucky, regulations regarding the number of crappie you can keep vary depending on the county you are fishing in and the species of crappie you are catching. Generally, limits are set at 15 crappie a day, but some counties have stricter limits or even no limits for certain species of crappie.
For example, in some counties, daily limits on black crappie are heavily restricted whereas other counties may have a daily limit of 15 crappie per day. In addition, some counties may have restrictions on the size of the crappie you can keep, for instance, you may not be able to keep crappie shorter than 10 inches, regardless of the daily bag limits.
These limits are put in place to protect the crappie population from over-fishing. It is important to check with local regulations and make sure you are abiding by the laws and regulations in your county and state before you head out fishing.