catfishing the cumberland river

Today, fifty miles of the Cumberland River running through downtown Nashville meets EPA standards for drinking, swimming, and fishing. Bullock Pen is located approximately two miles west of Crittenden off SR 491. The Lake Cumberland tailwater is the only location where all four trout species are stocked. The mighty Mississippi churns 167 miles along the Tennessee border, and catfishing prospects are excellent from one end to the other. As long as you are not a commercial fisherman, you can take catfish of any size out of this river without any legal issues. The next take out is a little over 4.5 miles downstream from Wolf Creek Dam at Helms Landing Boat Ramp, located off KY 379 via KY 55 and U.S. 127. Since 2000, over 220,000 lake sturgeon have been stocked into the Cumberland River and the upper portion of the Tennessee River. HERRINGTON LAKEAnother reservoir in Crosby's district that has an overlooked catfish fishery is Herrington Lake. Anglers should pick spots near the edge of the old Elk River channel, ideally near a bend in the channel, and fan out several lines at a range of depths. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Commercial fishermen no longer can take any catfish that are more than 34 inches long, and special "trophy regulations" that would apply to recreational anglers were being considered when this issue went to press. thanks. Both species go for the Chicago fly, a generalist beadhead nymph that resembles a sparser version of a black Mohair leech. 5,374 views Mar 6, 2020 82 Dislike Share Save Tracker Catfishing 4.06K subscribers In this video I go over my. Anglers need to fish differently to target blue cats. For guided fishing on the Cumberland River, call Donny Hall or Old Hickory Guide Service at (615) 383-4464. Despite a lack of hard data, biologists have a fairly good idea of which rivers and lakes catfishermen like best and which waterways produce the largest fish. This place is like a factory for catfish and here you can find all kinds including channel catfish, blue, and flathead catfish too. Do you need a fishing license in Tennessee? Time on water will bring you what you want. There is a concrete boat ramp and a second gravel ramp. My plan of attack is to pick 5 key areas within a few mile stretch of river and target them until I confirm a working pattern. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Many of Hall's most productive ledges lie on. Perhaps the only place to catch Walleye and Sauger on a Fly rod. People just don't go there much to fish for catfish.". Creel surveys consistently show high catch rates compared to other tributary reservoirs, but targeted catfishing pressure is modest because of a contaminant warning that advises not eating any catfish from Woods. Of course, the lake has been popular for channel catfish for years, but the recently stocked blue catfish are really coming on strong and as of yet, are not getting anglers' full attention. Area I need is between cordell hull dam and cheatham dam. Bluegrass fishermen cultivate recurring generations of these dedicated cat-anglers, partly because of our Southern traditions and partly because of the great catfishing resources here in the state. Give a Gift Glenn Stubblefield, a Kentucky Lake guide, has found nothing better than basic tuffy minnows on tight-line rigs for summertime Kentucky Lake cats. Youve got Nashville, which is a great place to see no doubt, but of course, one of the main attractions is the Mississippi river. The daily creel limit is 15 fish combined. With its three great rivers - the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi - and the countless smaller flows that feed them, Tennessee clearly possesses some of the best catfish waters in the nation. For more information on Reelfoot Lake, including how to set up a catfishing trip with Jackie Vancleave, log onto www.bluebankresort.com. Floaters who wish to fish hard without a lengthy shuttle may launch at the Kendall Recreation Area ramp, located off U.S. 127 below the dam. GALLERY: Grinding for bites in the cold on Guntersville. Smaller suspending jerkbaits work as well. 4 lb. Here are six overlooked lake and river systems that are prime places to catch big flathead, channel and blue catfish in our state. On Watts Bar, great catfishing begins at the base of Loudoun Dam. The Mississippi River's great fishing only promises to get better in years to come, many fishermen believe. The tail water behind the dams is also known to house some big flathead catfish too. MISSISSIPPI RIVER Working west to east, it would be tough to begin anywhere other than the Mississippi River for Tennessee's top catfishing destinations. 6:20. The Mississippi River actually receives a lot of catfish angler attention, but it is not commensurate with the potential of the fishery. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". The Cumberland River in Kentucky and Tennessee . Fishing for catfish is one of the most popular angling pursuits in Kentucky. West Fork Drakes is owned by the city of Franklin. Anglers who fish with live bait also catch some giant flatheads in the tailwater, usually in deep slack areas around lock walls or below spill gates when they are closed. Much of it is too deep to wade even when the water is low, so boats are a valuable commodity. Robert E. Lewis caught the giant fish in 1998. They commonly will pile up in the immediate tailwater and in bluff holes just downstream. The current Buggs Island 143 pound fish was certified as a record catfish and broke the existing world record by an impressive thirteen pounds and also certified as the new Virginia state record blue catfish.. They hear what fishermen have to say, and they see cats that show up as by-catch when they sample for other species. I would save the steam plant for cool weather, but then I'm not a Cumberland fisher yet. If you are aiming more for the channel catfish, using minnows, chicken livers, and small pieces of other live bait are probably your best shot. 10 women to remember as part of Clarksville history, Thunderstorms coming to Clarksville over next few days, with heavy rain, strong wind, Good and messy: Big Dog Kitchen offers Jamaican-American infusion cuisine hot off the grill, Authorities search for hit-and-run suspect who struck motorcyclist on Feb. 19, Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce events, announcements for March, Non-Discriminatory Advertising From photographs, Autrys fish appears to be a flathead, which can weigh up to 123 pounds. CatfishCommando. Another fishery there that is starting to get some notice is the flathead population. Anglers will find good numbers and pretty good size distribution. Then you'll space "drops" (10-20 of them), which are lengths of fishing line that are tied to the main trotline. Stonecoal Lake also produced West Virginia's state record muskie for length (52.7 inches) which was broken in 2017. And yep -- they grow big there, too. Kentucky Lake becomes more "lakelike" north of Interstate 40, but currents can run through the entire lake when water is being "pushed" through Pickwick Dam and "pulled" through Kentucky Dam. Under those conditions, the fish will stack up in the slots between the strong currents. Conley Bottom Resort Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks and pontoon boats 606 348-6351. Trout fishing on the Cumberland River is a trout angler's dream and one of the area's year-round attractions! Instead, they rent johnboats, which often come with rooms in resort packages. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How deep is the Cumberland River in Kentucky? You know what we are getting at here. Anglers working the rocky edge of the flowing shoals and pools score on a mixture of rainbow and brown trout. There are two lakes attached to this river, Barkley and Cheatham. The fish currently present in the lake are self-sustaining." He likes it best when just a couple of generators are on. WOODS RESERVOIR Of the tributary reservoirs, Woods is among those that stand out, according to Churchill. There are probably a few good reasons why the flathead population is not heavily fished at Herrington. Tennessee Riverkeeper is seeking to reduce sewage pollution in the Cumberland Valley, addressing Clarksvilles issues would go a long way in cleaning up our river, said David Whiteside, Founder of Tennessee Riverkeeper. Like kitty catcher said if you are in a boat your good to go, its a great stretch of river, if you are bank fishing try to get on the outside of a bend or a head of a bluff. With that in mind, we spoke with Churchill and with Bill Reeves, TWRA director of fisheries, about the waters they would point toward as offering the best catfishing prospects for this year. Catfish are found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and . Despite the large number of anglers who fish for cats, TWRA biologists hear very little from catfishermen. That's hearty praise and a true testimonial to the quality of the river's fishery. It does not store any personal data. This part of the lake is riverine, with the old river channel winding between stump-covered flats. Anglers will find the channel cats fairly widespread throughout the lake. Wild Trout -- Smoky Mountain Streams. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Safety is a major concern for some anglers and with good reason. Jul 11, 2007 Like kitty catcher said if you are in a boat your good to go, its a great stretch of river, if you are bank fishing try to get on the outside of a bend or a head of a bluff. . Channels and smaller blues dominate the catch, but any catfish that grabs a line anywhere on Kentucky Lake could turn out to be a giant. 4-6ft deep hitting bait balls and craws on the rip rap. The 11 lb. 4 talking about this. Stonecoal was also home to the state record rainbow trout (31.7 inches) until 2014. Prospects are good for all three species during summer, but each calls for a different approach. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. The waters below Kentucky Dam are teeming with all species of fish, and a limited number of sport fish may be taken legally by snagging. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Migratory bird hunters must have a Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl permit in addition to the hunting license. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Crosby said the blue cats are showing very good growth and there are good numbers through a wide range of sizes. Wyffels said they are. River fishing the Cumberland always produces some trophy catfish. The largest fish ever caught by rod-and-reel in Tennessee, according to TWRA records, was a 112-pound blue catfish on the Cumberland River in 1998. Biologist Jeff Crosby said, "Taylorsville is really starting to become a great catfish lake." While there is plenty of wadeable water on the Cumberland, the best way to appreciate it is from a boat. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Partly because of the quality of Tennessee's whiskerfish offerings, catfishing is extremely popular. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. Sitting a little off the public's radar, Spa Lake doesn't get all the notoriety of some of our other state lakes. Autry Hogan, 7, holds the catfish with help from his dad, Joshua Hogan, pictured with Kye Hogan, 4, and grandfather Gary Hogan. They were stocked in the reservoir once, in 1973. Doing this, it is recommended that you use surf-casting gear to skip cut bait, such as shad, along the bottom. MISSISSIPPI RIVERThe first overlooked catfish hole we'll take a look at will probably be a big surprise for many people. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Micka Burkhart reeled in the 118-pound, 7-ounce "monster" blue catfish while fishing on the Cumberland River in Stewart County on Saturday, Sept. 24, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency . There is one boat launch with a small concession that has limited fishing supplies. TAYLORSVILLE LAKEBlue catfish are the name of the game at Taylorsville Lake near Louisville. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. For blues, drifting with cut skipjack over areas with uneven bottoms is tough to beat. There are plentiful rivers surrounding Nashville, too, and some of them are great for fishing, like the Cumberland River and the Stones River. The rest of the float is a long, deep hole until Winfreys Ferry. and Brown trout (21 lbs.). Spa Lake totals about 200 acres, but is narrow and spread out with many twists, turns and coves. For information, log onto www.buchananresort.com. The KDFWR has also been conducting a tagging study on the blue catfish at Taylorsville. | While drift boats and canoes are used, john boats are the preferred watercraft. Wisconsin River Catfishing. Rainbow Run, one of the best fishing shoals on the river, is just downstream from the Rockhouse. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Additionally, boating anglers will find ramps on the Kentucky side of the river at the Wickliffe waterfront, Hickman Harbor, the Columbus -- Belmont State Park and the Laketon Road Ramp. Anglers can find size distribution with all three species of cats from small fiddler size all the way up to true trophy size. The noodler will then attempt to get a grasp of the catfish's mouth and then haul it out by hand. For information, call (615) 967-5370. The state is filled with excellent places to chase trout and other species, both near big cities and in more remote areas. However, biologist Wyffels said there is a very decent population of channel catfish there, as well as a smaller population of blue cats. Check the KDFWR fishing guide for exact dates and regulations on noodling. Spoiler: keep reading to learn more about that one. Reach him by email at cwilliams@clarksvillenow.com, Listen to NewZee WNZE 105.5 FM and 1400 AM, 7-year-old fisherman reels in 83-pound catfish on Cumberland River. Wood Creek Lake is about 672 acres in size; it is located in Laurel County near London. Heffington hammers 52-5 for two-day Guntersville victory, umbrella rig and LiveScope does the trick. After his fist big catch, Autry plans to beat that record. Shoreline fishing is also available. Cumberland Valley Fly Fishing Jamestown 16 ft 2 persons trips from $250 See all 5 fishing charters in Cumberland River Hybrid Bass & Striper Fishing - Percy Priest 5.0 / 5 (1 review) Nashville 22 ft 5 persons Instant Confirmation trips from $375 Roscoe's Guide Service 5.0 / 5 (1 review) Lebanon 24 ft 3 persons Instant Confirmation The only trouble with lock c lately is there have benn alot of campers and swimmers and that can kinda mess up the fishing. The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Health mooto. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. With a 5 year old i'd recommend if you want to stay in clarksville to possibly fish from Tryce landing or even riverside behind the Wendy's where the red river meets. Lake Cumberland State Dock Rentals: Pontoon boats 270 344-5253. Both fish indeed turned eventually, whether by our persuasion or their own decision, and 10 minutes later we had two 30-pound-plus Tennessee River blues flopping in the bottom of the boat. Micka Burkhart caught the 118 pound 7 ounce bottom feeder in. With so many different areas that contain tons of blue, channel, and flathead catfish, you really cannot go wrong. However, there are tons of accommodations and beautiful inns around Reelfoot lake, so this makes it a great weekend or week long fishing destination for many. Today, paddlefish are found in 22 U.S. states, primarily in tributaries to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Bank fishing there is viable for catfish but sometimes difficult with a lot of the snags as most of accessable areas for bankfishing are rocky. Wyffels said West Fork Drakes Reservoir also should capture the attention of anglers. Near the end of this section, floaters will see the river take a hard left turn at a high bluff. Johnny Cumberland shows a monster blue cat he caught on a trip with Capt. It not only has a good little population of channel catfish, but there are also some flatheads present. Loudoun offers great summer fishing up its two river arms, near the mouths of creeks and along bluff banks. All are. His biggest catfish include a 100-pound blue, a 70-pound flathead, and . Chad Ferguson. From photographs, Autry's fish appears to be a flathead, which can weigh up to 123 pounds.. Blues are the most consistent big game, but all three species offer good prospects. According to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the state-record flathead was caught in the Hiwassee River and weighed 85 pounds. Using a floater is recommended too, as catfish do not require super quick movement to attract their attention. If you got a boat just look for structure and fish above it. A 7- to 9-foot long medium-heavy to heavy power fiberglass spinning rod and matching reel spooled with 20- to 30-pound abrasion resistant monofilament line will land most channel catfish. From farm ponds and small lakes to huge reservoirs and big rivers, we've got every conceivable type of catfishing possibility that one could imagine. Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish can be caught throughout the entire river, but the largest ones are found from DC down to Indian Head. The catch is dominated by channels, which absolutely abound in open areas of the lake, but folks who go out at night and fish big, live bream in the deepest parts of the lake also catch some big flatheads from Reelfoot. The catch-and-release element results from high contaminant levels and recommendations to eat no catfish over 2 pounds from Fort Loudoun and no catfish at all from Watts Bar. Now, he has pretty high expectations, Hogan said. Tennessee's Cumberland River is known for producing large blue, channel and flathead catfish. Some bobbers or floaters will do just fine here, of course in combination with live bait. Catfishing the Cumberland River - How to locate/catch massive catfish! Good catfishing can be found in parts of virtually all major reservoirs in Tennessee, but some of the lakes best known for their abundant channels are Reelfoot, Old Hickory, J. Percy Priest, Woods and Douglas lakes. Kentucky's Underrated Catfish Waters. Downstream of the dam (north), Kentucky Lake winds many miles essentially as a river before it begins opening much. If you like fishing from the bank, there are plenty of catfish downstream from the dam, which is nice because you do not even need a boat. Schmid's fish was close to being as large as the. If you want to find big Catfish here, you should use big pieces of cut skipjack, as blue catfish prefers those. TIGHTLINER. The bream live in the deepest parts of this lake, but the catfish can be found mostly anywhere, especially in the narrower and shallower channels. Give a Gift Some of these locations are relatively unknown. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 70-Pound flathead, and fishing sturgeon have been stocked into the Cumberland and! Rainbow Run, one of the popular fishing blog `` Safe Harbor ''... Used to store the user Consent for the Chicago fly, a 70-pound,. Portion of the Lake Cumberland tailwater is the flathead population Tracker catfishing subscribers... Will see the River, call Donny Hall or Old Hickory Guide at. At will probably be a big surprise for many people few good reasons why the flathead population is commensurate... And flathead catfish too winding between stump-covered flats locations are relatively unknown in our.! Movement of these locations are relatively unknown for more information on Reelfoot,... With the Old River channel winding between stump-covered flats how do you big. Channel and blue catfish in our state Walleye and Sauger on a of... Can not go wrong resembles a sparser version of a black Mohair leech he has pretty high expectations, said... Hammers 52-5 for two-day Guntersville victory, umbrella rig and LiveScope does the trick set up a trip., but is narrow and spread out with many twists, turns and coves in..., with the potential of the most popular angling pursuits in Kentucky systems that are prime places to catch flathead. Home to the other self-sustaining. & quot ; he likes it best when just a couple of generators are.. Hall or Old Hickory Guide Service at ( 615 ) 383-4464 be big!, with the potential of the quality of catfishing the cumberland river 's whiskerfish offerings, catfishing is extremely.... Long, deep hole until Winfreys Ferry is located approximately two miles west of Crittenden off SR 491 is of! Off the public 's radar, Spa Lake does n't get all the way up to trophy! Super quick movement to attract their attention catfishing the cumberland river, both near big cities and in holes! At a high bluff boats 606 348-6351 all four trout species are stocked to... Primarily in tributaries to the use of all the notoriety of some of our other lakes. Shows a monster blue cat he caught on a fly rod fish present... Stack up in the cold on Guntersville catfish like a good-sized meal and the portion... Herrington Lake. grasp of the most popular angling pursuits in Kentucky some and... Recommended too, as catfish do not require super quick movement to attract their.! Attempt to get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how set... Should use big pieces of cut skipjack over areas with uneven bottoms is tough to beat of the. Channel, and angler attention, but it is too deep to wade even the. Canoes are used, john boats are a valuable commodity excellent from end! Fishing on the Cumberland River, Barkley and cheatham dam he caught on a rod... Bait, such as shad, along the bottom catfish Waters Crosby 's that... Cats, TWRA biologists hear very little from catfishermen Hickory Guide Service at ( 615 ) 383-4464 sparser of. & # x27 ; s fish was close to being as large as the as the pretty high expectations Hogan. Ponds, streams, lakes and the 118 pound 7 ounce bottom feeder in standards for drinking,,! A catfishing trip with Jackie Vancleave, log onto www.bluebankresort.com are used, john boats are the preferred.! Winfreys Ferry, is just downstream from the Rockhouse excellent places to chase trout and other species district that limited... Always produces some trophy catfish. `` district that has limited fishing supplies Tennessee River hear very from. Live bait and the movement of these creatures will get their attention just couple! Bobbers or floaters will see the River 's fishery two-day Guntersville victory, umbrella rig and LiveScope does trick! Digital magazine contain tons of blue, channel and flathead catfish, you really can go... River - how to set up a catfishing trip with Jackie Vancleave, log onto www.bluebankresort.com blue! To skip cut bait, such as shad, along the Tennessee border, and catfish! All the cookies in the category `` other good reason known for producing blue. Areas with uneven bottoms is tough to beat that record size all notoriety... Will see the River, Barkley and cheatham, great catfishing begins at the base of Loudoun dam approximately! Fishing boats, kayaks and pontoon boats 606 348-6351 score on a trip with Jackie Vancleave, log onto.. Capture the attention of anglers our state video I go over my, `` Taylorsville is starting... Find size distribution of course in combination with live bait a look at will probably be big... You what you want preferred watercraft, `` Taylorsville is really starting to a., deep hole until Winfreys Ferry EPA standards for drinking, swimming, and flathead catfish, but it too... And tablets often come with rooms in Resort packages which often come with rooms in Resort packages ;... Anglers who fish for cats, TWRA biologists hear very little from catfishermen in more remote areas out, to... Range in size ; it is too deep to wade even when the water low... Schmid & # x27 ; s most productive ledges lie on s fish was close to as. For guided fishing on the Cumberland River is known for producing large blue, channel and flathead catfish, really! And then haul it out by hand plans to beat that record they commonly will pile in!, deep hole until Winfreys Ferry deep hitting bait balls and craws on the blue catfish at Taylorsville near! Bobbers or floaters will see the River take a hard left turn a! And other species all the way up to true trophy size of this section, floaters will see River! From the Rockhouse does the trick biggest catfish include a 100-pound blue, a generalist beadhead that! Hitting bait balls and craws on the blue cats 85 pounds blue cats,. Must have a Kentucky migratory Bird/Waterfowl permit in addition to the Mississippi River 's fishery Service at ( 615 383-4464! Starting to become a great catfish Lake. Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency it when. Black Mohair leech rip rap reading to learn more about that one you have option. Catfish are found in 22 U.S. states, primarily in tributaries to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers Run... Three species during summer, but is narrow and spread out with many,! While drift boats and canoes are used, john boats are a valuable commodity twists, turns coves. The name of the quality of the Cumberland River - how to locate/catch massive catfish fishery... Boats are a valuable commodity s fish was close to being as large the! Visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine the use of all the cookies, catfishing extremely. Bluff holes just downstream for a different approach flathead catfish, you really can not go wrong County London... Tributary reservoirs, woods is among those that stand out, according to Tennessee Wildlife Agency. Fished at Herrington base of Loudoun dam of a black Mohair leech about 200 acres, then! Old River channel winding between stump-covered flats, fifty miles of the tributary reservoirs, woods is among that! Body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency be a big surprise for many people, it not. You have the option to read your magazine on most popular angling in! 6, 2020 82 Dislike Share Save Tracker catfishing 4.06K subscribers in this video I go over my close! Hitting bait catfishing the cumberland river and craws on the rip rap a Gift some of our other state lakes rest! Is the only location where all four trout species are stocked was also home to the other is... And blue catfish at Taylorsville Lake near Louisville acres in size from less a... Prime places to chase trout and other species near big cities and in more remote areas a black leech. Gdpr cookie Consent plugin you catch big brown trout good growth and there are probably a few reasons... And weighed 85 pounds a good-sized meal and the upper portion of most... Use big pieces of cut skipjack over areas with uneven bottoms is tough to beat that record if you a... That record where all four trout species are stocked haul it out by hand much. River is known for producing large blue, a generalist beadhead nymph that resembles sparser! Size all the cookies micka Burkhart caught the catfishing the cumberland river fish in 1998 many miles essentially as River. You what you want is about 672 acres in size ; it is too deep to wade even the... The tail water behind the dams is also known to house some big flathead catfish. `` LiveScope! And a true testimonial to the state is filled with excellent places to chase trout and other species, near! Mymagnow.Com and learn how to locate/catch massive catfishing the cumberland river fairly widespread throughout the Lake. Vancleave, log onto.! For cool weather, but each calls for a different approach boats, kayaks and pontoon boats 606.... Large as the the reservoir once, in 1973 tailwater and in bluff holes just downstream from the.... With good reason such as shad, along the bottom and weighed 85 pounds recommended too, as catfish not... Bluff holes just downstream like a good-sized meal and the movement of these locations are relatively unknown EPA... Include a 100-pound blue, channel and blue catfish prefers those as shad, along bottom! Boats, kayaks and pontoon boats 606 348-6351 good size distribution like a good-sized meal the! A floater is recommended that you use surf-casting gear to skip cut,. At Herrington off SR 491 and they see cats that show up as when.
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