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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

Maggie’s Jungle Golf: Probably the Funnest Miniature Golf Course in the Country

July 25, 2016 by Joi Sigers 1 Comment

Maggie's Jungle Golf - Pink Flamingo Ever Get the Feeling You’re Being Watched?
If you’re looking for something fun (and inexpensive) to do at Kentucky Lake, I’d like to tell you (and show you) all about one of my personal favorites: Maggie’s Jungle Golf. This is the most colorful, funnest, and one-of-a-kind miniature golf courses I’ve ever seen. Kids, adults, and everything in between will love every minute on this beautiful mini course.

Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Gorgeous Miniature Golf Course with Tons of Shade
I’ve tried to capture as much of it’s fun and beauty in these pictures, but it’s something you absolutely have to see for yourself.

The cost of a great round of miniature golf is just $4 (all ages). Trust me, it’s worth every penny.

The miniature golf course is very shady, which keeps it from feeling as hot as a lot of mini golf courses feel. With the hot summers we’re familiar with here in Kentucky, it’s a feature I couldn’t possibly love any more than I do.

The owners of Maggie’s Jungle Golf obviously take great pride and enjoyment in this Kentucky Lake landmark – it shows, literally, every step of the way.  Not only is the mini golf course, itself, both challenging and fun, but you’ll have extra fun looking up, down, and all around. The lengths they’ve gone to create a fantasy world for kids of all ages is nothing short of amazing.

Next time you visit Kentucky Lake, be sure to carve out time for a little Jungle Love. It might just be the favorite part of your trip.

Maggie’s Jungle Golf Address and Phone Number are below the pictures…

Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Maggies Jungle Golf - King of the Jungle
Maggies Jungle Golf - Zebra
Maggie's Jungle Golf
Maggie's Jungle Golf
Maggie's Jungle Golf

 

 

 

Maggie’s Jungle Golf and Jungle Run

Address: 7301 US Highway 641 North (Gilbertsville, KY)
Telephone: (270) 362-8933
Official Website: Maggie’s Jungle Golf

Maggie's Jungle Golf at Kentucky Lake
Every Single Step is Gorgeous at Maggie’s Jungle Golf!

Filed Under: Kentucky Lake, Miniature Golf Tagged With: Maggie's Jungle Golf, Miniature Golf Courses in Kentucky, things to do at Kentucky Lake

Kentucky Lake and Kenlake Marina (Pictures of the Day)

July 21, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kenlake Marina at Kentucky Lake
There are countless peaceful and relaxing get-aways in Kentucky – no matter what part of the state you’re in, you can find a beautiful place to get away from all the cares and worries of the world.

Yes, even politics and EVEN the constant stream of bad news.

The Kentucky State Parks are ideal for mini retreats – whether it’s for a few hours or a few days (at the Resort Parks).

Kenlake State Resort Park, which sits right on beautiful Kentucky Lake, is one of the first parks that comes to mind when I think “peaceful getaway.” Within minutes of the Land Between the Lakes, Willow Pond Catfish, and The Hitching Post, Kenlake State Resort Park is close enough to everything you need – yet (when you’re ready to unwind again), it provides you a blissful escape.

 

Kentucky Lake at Kenlake State Resort Park
Kentucky Lake at Kenlake State Resort Park
Kentucky Lake at Kenlake State Resort Park
Kenlake Marina at Kentucky Lake
Kenlake Marina at Kentucky Lake

See more pictures of Kenlake State Resort Park.

Filed Under: Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Picture of the Day Tagged With: Kenlake Marina Pictures, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake pictures

Kentucky Lake and Kenlake: Summertime’s Dynamic Duo

June 1, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kentucky Lake at Kenlake
Beautiful Kentucky Lake at Kenlake
When it comes to summertime, there’s nothing like going to the lake, is there?! Actually, when you live in the Western part of Kentucky, you refer to it as, “Going to the lakes,” because Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley are so close to one another.  The Land Between the Lakes divides these two beautiful lakes so, as you’d imagine, there are about a thousand and one things to do in this gorgeous part of Kentucky.

Most of the state knows about Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, and Lake Barkley State Resort Park. Each of these three are three of our favorite places in the world, but I’m always surprised when people aren’t familiar with another such place – Kenlake State Resort Park.

Kentucky Lake and Kenlake Marina
Kentucky Lake and Kenlake Marina
Kenlake is a beautiful, historic state park situated directly on Kentucky Lake. It has a marina, lodge, gift shop, and restaurant. In fact, when I was able to eat at the Kentucky State Resort Park restaurants (before I had to start eating gluten/wheat free for health reasons), I remember Kenlake having one of the best restaurants in the park system. It always amazed me that two of the consistently best restaurants (Kenlake and Lake Barkley) were so close to one another.

Since the Parks can’t provide gluten free information, I’m unable to eat at them any longer (which is a bummer because I’m all about our state parks!), but if you CAN, by all means, DO.

Kentucky Lake and Kenlake Marina
Kenlake Marina on Kentucky Lake
These pictures are from this past weekend. Kenlake is an especially beautiful, peaceful, and fun state park. When you go, be sure to explore the entire park to see all that it  has to see… and photograph. It’s usually less crowded than the other nearby parks, which can often be another plus.

Another great thing going for Kenlake is the fact that it’s mere minutes from two places you read A LOT about on Genuine Kentucky: Willow Pond and The Hitching Post & Old Country Store. It’s also a very short drive to Belew’s, another Kentucky Lake legend.

See More Pictures of Kenlake State Resort Park.

Kentucky Lake
Fishing at Kenlake

Filed Under: Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake Tagged With: Kenlake pictures, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Lake pictures

Candles at The Hitching Post: Kentucky’s Iconic Country Store

May 27, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Beautiful Candles at The Hitching Post

You Won’t Believe How Great These Candles Smell!

Two of of my three daughters (Emily and Stephany) and I have a tradition that kind of allows us to make Christmas last all year long. Beginning in January, we start “rounding up” Christmas gifts for loved ones and we stash them away in hidden totes until the day after Thanksgiving… then the wrapping begins.  My other daughter (Brittany) is like my husband/their father, Christmas officially begins in December and they will not consider any other approach!

Many of these candles, at The Hitching Post (Aurora, KY, near Kentucky Lake) are destined for my hidden Christmas totes.  Let’s make no mistake about it, though, they’re also destined for my kitchen, dining room, den, bathrooms… They are Heavenly.

Each one smelled out of this world – Lilac & Wildflowers, Cabin Fever, Lemon Cheesecake, Honeysuckle Pear, French Thyme… and my personal favorite, Eucalyptus Lavender.

Candles like this make excellent gift ideas because it’s one thing people always want and need. These beauties are extra special because you can clean them out after the candle has been used up and use the beautiful little jar as a vase or to hold anything from Q-Tips to kitchen gadgets.

Whether it’s birthdays, anniversaries, weddings or Christmas, these are ideal gift ideas. You’ll actually find endless gift ideas in The Hitching Post & Old Country Store – vintage games, antiques, Kentucky Food, books, toys, souvenirs…

Each time I go, I tell myself the same thing, “I could, literally do ALL of my Christmas shopping here!”

Just don’t tell my husband or Brittany. They get migraines when I talk about Christmas before the 4th of July.

But still….

Candles at The Hitching Post
More of The Hitching Post on Genuine Kentucky (Newest Listed First):

  • Cool Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley T-Shirts
  • Delicious Kentucky Food Haul from The Hitching Post
  • Coffee at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store
  • Unique Deliciousness from The Hitching Post
  • Picture of the Day from The Hitching Post
  • The All-American Soda Showdown
  • Handsome Gentleman at The Hitching Post
  • The Best Place for Buying Kentucky Food
  • Homemade Fudge at The Hitching Post
  • The Hitching Post & Old Country Store
  • Step Back in Time at The Hitching Post
  • Picture of the Day: Sign on the Porch!
  • Ch-ch-ch-changes at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store

Filed Under: Christmas in Kentucky, Kentucky Lake, Shop, The Hitching Post Tagged With: Kentucky Gift Ideas, Kentucky Souvenirs, shopping at Kentucky Lake, The Hitching Post

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Genuine Kentucky is a Kentucky Blog and online magazine celebrating the beautiful Bluegrass State. We shine the spotlight on Kentucky with pictures, restaurant reviews, news, tourism, Things to Do in Kentucky, and more.

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Kentucky Blog Updates

Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground

Playground at the Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground I recently told one of my daughters, "I have never been THIS … [Read More...] about Kentucky State Park Campgrounds Preparing to Open March 13

Christmas at the Homeplace (Land Between the Lakes)

As we often say on this Kentucky blog, the end of summer in NO WAY means the end of things to do and see in Kentucky. So grab … [Read More...] about 1850 Christmas at the Homeplace: Are You Ready to Meet Santa?!

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park's Lodge (Facing Kentucky Lake) From the Kentucky State Parks: Current and former … [Read More...] about Kentucky State Parks Offering Discounts to Current Military, Retirees, Veterans

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Salt Festival.

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site wants to take you back in time during the 37th annual Salt Festival next weekend (Oct. … [Read More...] about Salt Festival at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site October 18-20, 2019

Red Wolf at Woodlands Nature Station Woodlands Nature Station, in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, will … [Read More...] about Wolf Week at Woodlands Nature Station October 5 -11!

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