Rising Water Creates New Fishing Opportunities

The biggest fishing story on Rough River this month is the dramatic rise in lake levels. After gaining more than 15 feet of water in just a few weeks, newly flooded shoreline cover has changed where many fish are holding and feeding.

The crappie spawn is largely behind us, and the shallow bank bite has slowed as fish move back toward brush piles, standing timber, and deeper summer locations.

Bass fishing, however, has been excellent, with many anglers finding success in the newly flooded grass cover throughout the lake.

Hybrid bass fishing remains good heading into summer. A recent Kentucky Afield episode highlighted the strong hybrid bite on Rough River during the low-water period. Now that lake levels have risen more than 15 feet, fish are beginning to spread out, but anglers continue to find success around baitfish schools on the main lake and major creek channels.