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You are here: Home / Archives for Events / Autumn Fun

Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Three State Resort Parks for Great Fall Fishing

October 13, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kentucky Lake at Kenlake
The dramatically cooler nights of the last few weeks are a blessing for anglers. These longer, colder nights pull the residual heat from the water, signaling to game fish that it is time to fatten up on the fall harvest of baitfish born earlier in the year.

The picturesque panorama of the changing leaves rings many of our reservoirs in fall. The fishing sometimes takes a backseat to the pleasure of soaking in all of the exquisite scenery. A fall weekend of staying at a Kentucky State Resort Park and fishing in the most superb setting of the year is a great stress reducer before the hub bub of the holiday season arrives.

Here are three of the best Kentucky State Resort Parks for a fall weekend fishing getaway:

Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake: Kentucky Lake – along with its twin to the east, Lake Barkley – rank among the nation’s best largemouth bass fisheries. The lakes check in as the fourth best bass fishing destination in the southeast by Bassmaster Magazine for 2016. Few places produce as many largemouth bass weiging 4 pound or more, as well as mind-boggling numbers of 2- to 3-pound largemouths. A 25-fish day here is just so-so.

Fall is one of the best times to book a weekend at Kenlake State Resort Park (http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/kenlake). This park’s location provides excellent access to great bass fishing spots on Kentucky Lake and the lake is often nearly empty in fall.

During fall, Kentucky Lake’s largemouth bass are making the transition from deep water summer haunts on main lake ledges and channel drops back into shallow water. The sloping banks in the bays on the Land Between the Lakes side of the lake directly across from Kenlake State Resort Park provide outstanding action. The changing leaves on this undeveloped side of Kentucky Lake provide spectacular scenery.

Kentucky Lake at Kenlake
Try bottom-crawling a 1/2-ounce football jig in the Okeechobee craw or Cumberland craw colors down these sloping banks in Barnett Bay, Vickers Bay or Rhodes Bay. A 7-inch straight-tailed green pumpkin worm rigged on a 1/4-ounce Shakey head fished the same also produces numbers of largemouth bass. You also may stumble across a brute smallmouth bass in these areas as well.

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Lake Cumberland: Striped bass in Lake Cumberland are thriving. The fishery is returning to its former glory after the lake was lowered for several years to repair Wolf Creek Dam. Southeastern Fishery District Biologist John Williams reports the number of fish exceeding 30 inches is dramatically improving. Anglers are catching fish heavier than 25 pounds with much greater regularity. This fishery will continue to improve for the foreseeable future.

Fall is a fantastic season for Lake Cumberland striped bass fishing and the location of Lake Cumberland State Resort Park (http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/lake-cumberland/) places anglers in the perfect spot on the lake.

In October, stripers usually hang from 35 to 70 feet deep along main lake flats and points. These same areas in the lower ends of major creek arms such as Beaver, Indian and Wolf creeks also hold stripers. The lower lake region, from Lake Cumberland State Resort Park down to the dam, seems to produce slightly better fishing in fall.

Bottom fishing live alewives, shad or large shiners is one of the easiest and most productive ways to catch fall stripers on Lake Cumberland. The small coves on the south bank of the lake from the mouth of Beaver Creek to the mouth of Indian Creek make great places to bottom fish in fall. Most of these coves have bank areas comprised of broken shale mixed with mud. Smart anglers beach the nose of their boats on these soft banks and fish their live bait rigs off the back of the boat.

A slip-sinker rig comprised of a 1/2-ounce egg sinker, barrel swivel and leader of 17-pound abrasion resistant monofilament line with a 5/0 circle hook on the business end works wonders. If you don’t get a bite within 45 minutes, move to the next cove.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Dale Hollow Lake: Few other lakes in the country produce as many robust 3- to 6-pound smallmouth bass as Dale Hollow Lake. The 6,614 acres of the lake in Kentucky make good water for fall smallmouth bass fishing. Bonus: Dale Hollow is one of the most scenic lakes in the upper South.

Leitchfield’s David L. Hayes caught the 11-pound, 15-ounce all-tackle world record smallmouth bass not far from the boat ramp now named for him at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park (http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/dale-hollow/) on July 9, 1955. The weedbeds found in the coves adjacent to the ramp hold smallmouth bass in fall.

Drifting large crappie minnows or medium-sized shiners over these weedbeds produces the best numbers of smallmouth bass and fools the big ones. Use a size 1 Octopus style hook with a few slip shots gently crimped on the line 18 to 24 inches above it.

Weedbeds abound in Wolf River arm of the lake, as well as in Sulphur and Illwill creeks. Fishing the minnows or shiners on points in these areas also produces smallmouth bass, but the weedbeds seem to the more consistent producer of bigger fish.

Visit a Kentucky state resort park this fall and enjoy bountiful fishing during the best time of year.

Author Lee McClellan is a nationally award-winning associate editor for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He is a life-long hunter and angler, with a passion for smallmouth bass fishing.

Filed Under: Autumn Fun, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake, Lake Cumberland State Resort Park Tagged With: Fishing, Kentucky Lake fishing, Lake Cumberland fishing

Autumn and Winter at Kentucky State Parks: As Beautiful and Relaxing as Ever

October 3, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Winter Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Winter
There is no place in the state quite like a Kentucky State Park. They’re always fun to visit – whether you go during the summer, spring, fall or winter.

You could actually make a case for the parks being EVEN more relaxing and enjoyable during the fall and winter, simply because they’re less crowded. Some of my favorite times to visit our Kentucky State Parks are during the Autumn and Winter. The parks are stunning when the leaves are changing and the resort parks could not be cozier than when winter is outside the window and you’re sitting beside a fireplace inside!

The picture below is from this past winter at Cumberland Falls State Park – as you can see, the beauty takes on a whole other dimension in winter and it makes for wonderful pictures.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park at Christmas

I also love visiting the parks around Christmas – the decorations are always so festive and beautiful, they really help make the season even more special.

Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland has announced that 16 Kentucky State Park resorts will remain open for lodging seven days a week this winter.

During previous winters, some resort parks were open four days a week. Holland said all functioning resort parks would be open for lodging to encourage more use and visitation.

“We want to encourage Kentuckians and our guests from out of state to stay at a Kentucky State Park any time of the year,” Holland said.

The winter remains a busy time for Kentucky State Parks with many outdoor and indoor events scheduled.

These events include wildlife viewing weekends for elk, eagles and sandhill cranes; guided hikes and annual events such Winter Adventure Weekend at Carter Caves State Resort Park. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails at Kentucky State Parks.

There are special events planned for Thanksgiving Day, the Christmas holidays, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day as well as dinner theaters, gift shops and two indoor pools, at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and Lake Barkley State Resort Park. There’s even an indoor tennis center at Kenlake State Resort Park!

Resort park restaurants may have different schedules. Visitors should check in advance for dining times and schedules.

The resort parks also have conference facilities that make excellent locations for conferences, weddings and other gatherings. Many resort parks serve alcoholic beverages at their restaurants and have them available for conferences.

Groups interested in lodging, meals and meeting space should call the parks’ sales department to check on availability.

Cottages at all resort parks and John James Audubon State Park in Henderson are available for rental seven days a week.

The park system’s golf courses remain open, weather permitting. Six park campgrounds will also remain open during winter months: Carter Caves, Columbus-Belmont, Fort Boonesborough, General Butler, Paintsville Lake and Levi Jackson. Some campgrounds may turn off water lines during winter months.

Recreational and historic site parks will have hours that vary by park during the winter. Check the parks website or call the park for hours and information. Many of these parks can also accommodate groups interested in visiting.

For more information about park hours and special events, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call 1-800-255-7275. To make a reservation, visit www.parks.ky.gov and click on the “Reserve a lodge/cottage” link at the top of the page.

Filed Under: Autumn Fun, Kentucky State Parks, News, Winter in Kentucky Tagged With: Kentucky State Parks, Kentucky State Parks Winter Hours, things to do in Kentucky in autumn, things to do in Kentucky in winter

Picture of the Day: Panther Creek Park in Owensboro

September 28, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Panther Creek Park in Owensboro - Autumn

Panther Creek Park (Owensboro) may not be as large as our wonderful Kentucky State Parks, but it is a relaxing and beautiful place to get away from it all. The walking trails are really something else and, if you take the longest trail, you’ll get all you bargained for.

Trust me!

The pictures here were taken, obviously, in autumn – which is (in my opinion)  when Panther Creek Park is at its finest.

Panther Creek Park in Owensboro - Autumn

Filed Under: Autumn Fun, Kentucky Picture of the Day, Panther Creek Park Tagged With: Kentucky autumn pictures, Owensboro pictures, Panther Creek Park, Panther Creek Park pictures

Happy 38th Anniversary Homeplace 1850s Farm!

September 15, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Homeplace in the Land Between the Lakes
As I said in my last post, about the Nature Station, my favorite time to visit the Land Between the Lakes attractions is right about now – late summer and autumn. Smaller crowds and cooler weather simply make it easier to enjoy these very special places.

The wonderful Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and Living History Museum celebrates its 38th Anniversary from Saturday-Monday, October 8, 9, and 10.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy programs demonstrating 1850 farm life, including a quilting bee, woodstove cooking, and more. General admission to the Homeplace is $5 ages 13 and up, $3 ages 5-12, and free for ages 4 and under.

“Celebrate with us and enjoy some of the most popular programs we’ve offered at the Homeplace over the past 38 years,” said Cindy Earls, Homeplace Lead Interpreter. “Programs this weekend are perfect for everyone, including home educators.”

Visitors may benefit from Fun Cards, which offer 10 regular admissions for $35, or Discount Packages. Details can be found at www.landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/passes/. Fourth grade students can also go to https://everykidinapark.gov/, get their Every Kid in a Park pass, and get in for free! For more information call 931-232-6457.

Saturday, October 8

  • 10am-12pm    “Aww, Shucks!”:  Celebrating Corn
  • 1-3pm            All About Tobacco

Sunday, October 9

  • 10am-3pm      A Quilting Bee
  • 2-3pm            “Beasts of Burden”:  The Mighty Ox in 1850

Monday, October 10

  • 10am-12pm    Dinner Time on the Farm

Autumn at The Homeplace

Also See:

The One-of-a-Kind 1850s Homeplace in the LBL

Top 10 Things I Love About the Homeplace 

Filed Under: Autumn Fun, LBL, The Homeplace Tagged With: 1850's Homeplace, LBL, things to do in the Land Between the Lakes

Outdoor Kids Festival at Woodlands Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

September 15, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Deer at the Nature Station
I am positively obsessed with the Nature Station (and all of the Land Between the Lakes, actually). I watch my calendar like a hawk each spring, waiting for opening day. I love every visit – during the spring, summer, and autumn – but, if we’re being absolutely honest, my favorite time to visit the Nature Station is right about now – during the end of summer and first of fall.

There are a few reasons…

  • cooler temperatures mean you can spend more time looking around and enjoying the beautiful outdoors
  • smaller crowds
  • this is one of my favorite times of year, so combine it with one of my favorite areas… win/win!

The Outdoor Kids Festival at Woodlands Nature Station will be from  Saturday and Sunday (10 am – 5 pm), October 8th and 9th.

What better way to spend Columbus Day Weekend than with your family, learning about the great outdoors and the beautiful animals and birds that call it home. Nature Station admission is $5 ages 13 and up, $3 ages 5-12, and free for ages 4 and under.

“Families will have a weekend full of fun outdoor activities. These activities may spark a new interest or hobby and help kids and adults enjoy a fun and educational fall break,” says John Pollpeter, Nature Station Lead Naturalist. “Visitors will learn about animal track and tree identification, compass skills, canoeing, cooking on a campfire, and much more.”

Regular visitors may benefit from Fun Cards, which offer 10 regular admissions for $35, or Discount Packages. Details can be found atwww.landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/passes/.

Fourth grade students can go towww.everykidinapark.gov/, get their Every Kid in a Park pass, and get in for free. For more information, call 270-924-2299 or https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/4thGradePass_QA_2016_3_19.pdf.

{Schedule Below…}

Beautiful Skunk at the Nature Station
Saturday, October 8    

  • Throughout the day      Meet Smokey Bear (scheduled appearances)
  • Throughout the day      CSI:  Campsite Scene Investigator
  • 11am-12pm                 Getting Sneaky with Mother Nature
  • 11am-4pm                   Here Fishy, Fishy:  Basic Fishing Skills
  • 1-1:30pm                     Venom!
  • 1:30-3:30                     Make Your Own Animal Tracks Guide
  • 2-2:45pm                     Kid vs. Wild:  Outdoor Survival Skills for Kids
  • 3:30-4:15pm                Critters in the Campground
  • 4:30pm                        Parade of Raptors
  • 4:30-6:30pm                Can U Canoe? Sunset Canoe Trip

($25 per canoe; reservation required; call 270-924-2020)

Sunday, October 9

  • Throughout the day      CSI:  Campsite Scene Investigator
  • 11am-3:30pm               Cooking Over a Campfire Demonstration
  • 11:30am-12pm             For Goodness Snakes
  • 1-3pm                         Make Your Own Tree ID Guide
  • 2-3:30pm                     Help! I’m Lost and I Can’t Get Home:  Basic Compass Skills
  • 3:30-4pm                     Rut and Strut
  • 4:30pm                        Parade of Raptors

To find more information about Land Between the Lakes, log on to the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us or call 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000.

Gorgeous owl at the Nature Station

Filed Under: Autumn Fun, Events, The Nature Station Tagged With: LBL, Nature Station, things to do at Kentucky Lake, things to do in the Land Between the Lakes

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