The lake level is 600.5 just about a half foot over summer pool. The Corp seams to be content leaving it there hopefully no huge rains. These last two weeks I have seen the water temps go from 54 to 72 then back down to about 59-61. Between the fluctuating water and the big cold fronts this has dropped the crappie back to deeper water. Those still clinging onto three-feet spawners are left puzzled. I am and have been through this whole ordeal been fishing ledges 8-18ft. on stumps, cubes and brush. Close access to shallow water from Eagle boat [...]

The lake has come up to 600.54 and currently that is 4ft. over pool so they will be dropping it when they can. Water temps. are 56-60 as of April 27th. The crappie spawn is full on and the males are all darkened up. I am fishing rocks, stumps, anything in the 4-8ft. range on the north end with a 1/8oz. Deep Ledge Jig and a Brushpile plastic in anything with chartreuse and pearl or white. They don't care. The last four days we have boated three limits in less than four hours the fishing is on fire. Haven't been [...]

I went out Friday so I now have a report from my observations. Thought I should revise my fishing report as this lake is changing daily. The lake is currently at 601.17. Summer pool is 599.77 but at this time they want the lake much lower so the rule curve is 594ft. above sea level. So we are 7ft. high. Water temps yesterday was 49 on the north end and 51 on the south. Should be vice versa but the water coming in is cold. The north end is very stained and will warm quickly sometimes 10 degrees in a [...]

With heavy rainfall the lake has risen close to five feet or at one foot above summer pool. Since I have been guiding for over 30 years on this lake this is nothing new to me. When St. Louis the flood control center for the Corp says hold your water then no current gets in the lake and the mud settles up on the extreme north end of both rivers. Just find suitable water color and it exists from just south of the RR bridge or just west of the Coalshaft bridge all the way south so 90% of the [...]

Each year we put on a one-day fishing show to support the Lake Shelbyville Habitat Alliance. We bring in the lake guides and our Fisheries Biologist, plus several local vendors. We do demonstrations and have power point presentations. There is a panel discussion with several lake guides where you can ask questions. The most important part is a crappie meal is provided with all the sides for everyone. We just ask for a donation at the door. Every dime is given to the Lake Shelbyville Habitat Alliance to ensure we have adequate structure in the lake. Last year we cooked [...]

I am done after this week for 2024. I will be back on the water mid March so look out for a report then. I am booking trips for 2025. Just look at the Book a trip section on my website and reach out either by phone or email. 217-840-1221. I just updated my calendar for 2025. I currently have about 60 trips booked so if you are wanting a prime time period I wouldn't wait long. My spring Kentucky Lake trips are down to just one left March 25th. I do however plan on going back in November and [...]

I am guiding down on Kentucky Lake at the Big Sandy in Tennessee. I will be back November 19th and currently have November 20,21,24 and December 4-15 open. All these dates are weather dependent. These trips on Shelbyville are the best trips this lake can offer. It's jig time and we tear them up. I will be in attendance at these following shows. Collinsville Let's Go Fishing Show January 3,4,5 Tinley Park January 10,11,12 Schaumburg January 23,24,25,26 Rock Island QCCA February 13,14,15,16 Sullivan VFW Crappiefest March 8

The lake is still about a foot low and I am seeing water temps around 66. The cold mornings this week will get it where I want it High 50's. Then my jigs will work better. The north end has a nasty scum on it and you can see air pockets rising to the surface all over. This tells me it is turn over time. This week should complete that process. I am just crappie fishing now since the white bass are just spread out everywhere and very unpredictable. Good news we are heading into the best crappie fishing this [...]