Derby Time Brings Good Stream Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Those who love to catch stream smallmouth bass are blessed to live in Kentucky. Many flowing ribbons of smallmouth water course through our state. If a local stream has a rocky bottom, pools and riffles and water at least waist deep in some holes, it likely holds smallmouths. You can jump across many productive smallmouth streams in Kentucky in spots. Most get little fishing pressure.

Three streams received an "excellent" rating for smallmouth bass in the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ 2021 Fishing Forecast. The Barren River from Barren River Lake downstream to the mouth of Drakes Creeks holds some of the largest stream smallmouth in Kentucky with trophy fish of 20 inches and longer available. The Green River from Green River Lake Dam downstream to Munfordville offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing with good numbers of fish longer than 15 inches.

Historic Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County holds abundant numbers of fish in the protective slot limit of 12 to 16 inches with good numbers of larger smallmouth bass. This venerable stream consistently obtains "excellent" ratings in the annual Fishing Forecast.

In addition to these three streams, anglers can enjoy high quality stream smallmouth fishing across the state. The following streams are all good for catching smallmouth bass: the Gasper River in Warren County; Russell Creek in Green and Adair counties; the Russell and Levisa Forks of Big Sandy River in Pike County; the South Fork of Licking River in Bourbon and Harrison counties; the South Fork of the Kentucky River in Clay and Owsley counties and the Cumberland River above the Falls in Bell and Whitley counties.

Anglers may find a complete list of Kentucky’s smallmouth streams on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov. Click on the "Fishing" tab, followed by the "Recreational Fishing" tab, then "Smallmouth Streams."

Stream smallmouth fishing boils the pursuit down to its essence and that is the beauty of it. No electronic sonar units, GPS maps nor expensive boats needed. Just a handful of lures, a light to medium-light power spinning outfit spooled with 6-pound line and an ability to read flowing water is all you need. Choose a rod with a forgiving tip and a strong butt section. Noodle rods don’t cut it for stream smallmouth.

Wading is a cheap and highly productive way to fish these streams. Wading boots or a worn out pair of hiking boots protect the feet while wading. Avoid open-toe sandals or flip-flops as your feet need a buffer from sharp rocks, glass or pieces of barbed wire deposited in the streambed during the last flood.

Stream smallmouth bass reside in three main places in late spring through summer: the flowing areas upstream and downstream of a riffle and in the flowing shoals. The tranquil areas in deep holes hold fish at rest, not those actively feeding.

The seam water where fast water meets slow just downstream of a riffle is one of the highest percentage spots to try. Smallmouth bass will hang behind a rock, log or undercut bank near these spots and scarf any disoriented baitfish, crawfish or sculpin that comes tumbling downstream.

Work a black 4-inch finesse worm in this seam water by simply letting the current move the worm. Use enough weight so the worm gently strikes bottom occasionally. A 1/8-ounce leadhead is a good start, but switch to a 1/16-ounce if the current isn’t moving the worm and imparting a natural presentation.

A smoke-colored 3-inch curly-tailed grub worked in the same fashion draws strikes as well as Beaver-style creature baits in the green pumpkin color. After working the seam water below the riffle, wade upstream above the riffle and cast these lures. Current breaks created by rocks, logs and stumps should be probed as well as any small pocket holes.

Flowing shoals pocked with rocks, cracks in the bottom and scour holes hold stream smallmouth from late spring through summer. Shoals with a good undercut bank running along one or both sides of the stream is all the better. Rapala-style floating/diving crankbaits are deadly in flowing shoals.

Work them with a steady retrieve or with an aggressive pause and jerk. In low water, a gentle twitch followed by a long pause works best. This lure draws them out from behind in-stream rocks and undercut banks.

Wade with stealth while chasing stream smallmouth bass. Wear drab clothing and move slowly. Don’t create pressure waves from your body moving through the water too quickly as these can spook smallmouths. Slide your feet along the bottom to avoid lifting rocks with your toe that might slam the bottom when you wade.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov also contains other valuable pages to help plan a successful stream smallmouth bass trip. The Canoeing and Kayaking page under the "Boating" tab on the website contains links to the Stream Fisheries page detailing the access points, floating mileages, fishing tips and the populations of smallmouth bass and other game fish for 18 different streams or sections of rivers in the state. This page also contains a link to the Blue Water Trails series of articles, profiling 36 floats across Kentucky with a detailed map, along with an article describing the float, fishing tips and some historical background to boot.

Now is one of the best times of year to catch trophy stream smallmouth bass. Get out and enjoy some of the most relaxing and enjoyable fishing in Kentucky.