KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT of
FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES

The following columns provide information on some of the better sites to fish for each species. For a more complete list of water bodies where each species can be found click here and then select the species that you are interested in under “Search for water bodies for species”.

 New 2015 Spring Columns:

• Best Weather Conditions for Spring Fishing Trips
• Improving Fishieres to Try This Spring
• Why Buying Your Fishing License is Important
• Fish Close to Home at FINs Lakes

• White Bass Runs Just Around the Corner
•  March Brings Muskie Madness
• Crappie Time is Just Around the Corner
• Spring is Prime Time for Trophy Bass
• The Redear Sunfish Spawn is Here

• Late Spring Begins Prime Time for Catfish

 2014 Fall Columns:

• Muskellunge Fishing Heats Up in Fall
• Overcoming the Challenging Situations Found in Fall Bass Fishing
• Spotted Bass Back in Schools this Fall

• Lures You Need to Catch Fish Through Christmas

 2014 Spring Columns:

• Polar Vortex Brings Float and Fly Time on Kentucky Reservoirs
• Eating Local as Easy as Filleting Your Day's Catch
• Counter Challenging Water Conditions by Trying Smaller Lakes, Tailwaters
• Walleye and Sauger Fishing From the Bank

• March Begins New License Year in Kentucky
• Shore Anglers Can Get a Foothold on Muskellunge Fishing
• The White Bass Runs are Finally Here
• Small Waters Hold Crappie Just Like the Big Lakes

• Small Lakes Hold Big Largemouth Bass
• Striped Bass Coming Back in Lake Cumberland
• May is a Great Time to Catch Redear Sunfish
• Along with the Air Temperatures, Stream Smallmouth Bass Fishing Heating Up
• Channel Catfish Spawn Brings Good Fishing

 Columns from 2012 and 2013:

• Hit Some Small Water Now That's Summer's Here
• It's Catfish Time Across the State
• Fishing the Kentucky River
• Stream Smallmouth Love May
• Early May is the Start of the Best Fishing for Bluegills, Redear Sunfish
• Ponds and Small Lakes First to Warm Up in the Spring
• Trophy Largemouth Time

• Crappie Time When Warmer Weather Arrives
• Cave Run Lake Muskie
• White Bass Runs Coming
• March is the Best Time for Smallmouth
• Catching Striped Bass in Lake Cumberland
• Late Winter is Primetime for Sauger and Walleye Fishing
• Get Someone Started Fishing at FINS Lakes

• Largemouth Bass
• Fishing in Neighborhoods
• Crappie
• Walleye
• White Bass
• Sauger
• Muskellunge

Quick-strike Rig Construction

 

 

Note to Muskie Anglers: When using Live Bait, please Use a Quick-strike Rig to reduce catch-and-release muskie mortality

The basic rig construction consists of a 24-inch length of uncoated bronze stranded wire, 20 to 50 lb. test, a heavy duty rear treble hook, and a smaller front treble or optional single front hook. The front hook should contain shrinkable tubing around the shank so it will slide on the wire making it adjustable. A strong black swivel should be attached on the opposite end of the whole rig. An optional small spinner blade should be added in front of the front hook making it legal for use in states where a multiple hook rig is illegal. The whole thing can be assembled by using either crimp-on sleeves or twisting the wire to make a good connection. You can easily make your own rigs or they can be purchased from most Musky tackle outlets.

Information courtesy Musky America at Musky.com. For more information see: http://www.musky.com/Features/strike.htm