Blue catfish
Good numbers of 10-20 pounders with the occasional 50 plus pounder. Best fishing is during late spring and summer along deep river channels. Look for good flow in the lake for best fishing conditions. Blue catfish can be caught year-round in the tailwater.

Bluegill
Increasing numbers of fish up to 9 inches; the best fishing comes in May on sand or gravel spawning beds. Crickets and worms under corks during the spawn is a primary option. Fish move deeper as the water warms in summer.

Channel catfish
Best fishing is during May (along rocky banks) and during summer along the main river channel and adjacent flats. Try stink bait in shallow water in the spring. Channel catfish can also be caught year-round in the tailwater.

Crappie
Numbers are down, but fishing is still better than most places. Many fishermen are changing tactics, casting light jigs and roadrunners in the spring and fall.

Largemouth bass
Fishing remains very good with excellent numbers of >15 inch fish and numbers of >20 inch fish well above average. Fish shallow during spring with jigs and spinner baits. Post spawn fish move to drop offs in the main lake and mouths of the bays. Try fishing Carolina rigs, jigs, and crank baits in deeper water. In fall, bass
move into the bays to feed on shad.

Redear sunfish
Good numbers of 8 - 10 inch fish with trophies up to 13 inches. Prime fishing occurs in late April and throughout May as fish are spawning. Fish can be found in areas with gravel substrate and vegetation. Redear generally spawn a bit deeper than bluegill.

Sauger
Population consisting of some harvestable-size (>14.0 inch) fish. Many fish are caught trolling deep diving crank baits near secondary channel breaks during the early summer. Sauger can also be caught while fishing for catfish along the main river channel.

Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass make up a small portion of the total bass population but are common in certain habitats. Best opportunity is around rocky shorelines, main lake points, and the canal during late winter and early spring with jerk baits.

Striped bass Good The best fishing is in the Barkley Dam tailwater. Striped bass will school up during periods of discharge downstream from the generator section of the dam. Look for schools of shad breaking the surface during summer and fall in the reservoir, using topwater and blade-baits. The population is limited in the lake. Most are caught fishing ledges for white bass.

White bass
Fishing success has been decent the last few years. Look for schools of shad breaking the surface during summer and fall. If you can’t find them working the surface, fish along ledges on the main lake with a spoon or inline spinner. Similar to striped bass, good fishing occurs in the tailwaters.