Lake Cumberland
Published: Updated:
Lake Cumberland Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Lake Cumberland. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
Filter by
All Species
All Seasons
Sort by
Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueDeep Diving Crankbaits (13'+)SeasonFallStructurePointsStarted off the day catching a few largies on a Jerkbait suspended then moved to the bank and caught one and lost a good one on a jig. After a couple hours of struggle we picked up the crank baits and went to catching, putting 19lbs in the boat in just 2 hours. The key was targeting shaded gravel banks and it helped if there was a point and/or standing timber on the bank but cranking along the bank was a formula for big fall smallies. We also caught a key culling largemouth suspended with an under spin at the end of the day.
- Species
Largemouth BassTechniqueFinesse JigsSeasonFallStructureBrush PilesThe bite is tough right now as the lake is turning over, so downsizing your presentation is key to getting more bites. Throw these jigs in any brush you can find on channel swing banks back in the creeks. Dyeing the tails of the grub with a marker seems to get a few more bites for me.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueShakey HeadsSeasonFallStructureBrush Piles
If you have access to live scope right now is a perfect time to target offshore brush piles. While the fish are moving shallow they will stop off at these piles and ambush bait! Drop down on them and hang on!
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueMedium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')SeasonFallStructureRip Rap
Find a channel swing bang that has some wind blowing on it, put the trolling motor down and crank. The fish are everywhere right no. Big keeper size small mouth bites can be found cranking the main right now.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueBuzzbaitsSeasonFallStructureLaydowns
Fall is a tough time of year on these highland reservoirs. To counter that and have a good day you need to cover water and find the active fish. One of the best lures to do that is a simple buzzbait. The shad are moving to the backs of the creeks and the largemouth will follow. Start on some secondary points leading into a creek and work your way to the backs to find where they are concentrated. Lay downs are prime targets for the buzzbait so make sure to make multiple casts to them. One of the most exciting ways to catch some great largemouth in the fall
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Walking)SeasonFallStructureBoulders
Start with a walking top water in the morning. Look for first and secondary points going into creek arms that have bigger rocks and boulders for smallmouth to hide under. If topwater isn’t working or lake is really calm switch to a more subtle fluke style bait in the same areas. Flukes are also great flow up lures to missed topwater strikes. I usually start with with, but let the fish tell you whether they want it shad pattern, natural or obnoxious colors
- Species
Spotted BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Walking)SeasonFallStructureDocksThrowing a walking bait around marina calling up big spots to hit on top helped me and my partner get a top 6 in our high school tournament Saturday.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureBouldersThis was high school regionals a few years back. We struggled to find some fish the first practice day but we found success throwing a jerkbait on points with some sort of structure like rocks or lay downs. A swimbait with an Owner 3/0 flashy swimmer would get their attention on the further sides of the points.
