Walleye as big as 19 pounds have been caught on Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals. When you see … By Phone: 888-814-8972 Fishing Guides & Outfitters Fishing Lakes and Rivers Carr Creek Lake is in Knott County, about 11 miles south of Hindman, reached via Ky. 160 and Ky. 15 (Smithboro Road). Boats are allowed (no gasoline motors). Campers may use the campgrounds at Station Camp, Blue Heron and Alum Ford in the Big South Fork River and Recreation Area. This is a good stretch for those with some paddling experience, but aren’t up to Class III and higher rapids. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The Big South Fork and its tributaries have flatwater and also plenty of rapids, up to Class IV. As a responsible angler you can do your part to preserve the environment and keep the river clean for the … The Big South Fork between Blue Heron and Yamacraw offers excellent fishing, especially in spring. Online Game Fish of the Big South Fork Area . I believe we can all be really enjoying Labor Day weekend's forecasted moderate east winds. A storm in the headwaters of the New or Clear Fork rivers sends a cascade of hog-pen water downriver. Mention the South’s top fishing destinations and Scott County, Tennessee probably isn’t a location that is going to come up. In one gill net set by Game and Fish, 9 Walleye ranging from 10 to 16 pounds were caught one night on Bull Shoals Lake. We have a huge selection of Mathews, Mission, Bear and PSE Bows as well as a large selection of Firearms including Glock, Smith and Wesson, Remington and more. Native walleye also find a home in this stretch. The Big South Fork labors through those humongous rocks and continues to cut down into the Cumberland Plateau as it flows north from Tennessee to the backwaters of Lake Cumberland in McCreary County. Paddlers do not have to worry about trespass or access issues when floating the Big South Fork. General Burnside State Resort Park: 1-606-561-4104 or on the Internet at parks.ky.gov. i love fishing the big south fork its loaded with bass and walleye. “There’s a lot of 2- to 3-pound fish,” he notes. Knowledgeable local anglers fish crappie minnows behind boulders between Blue Heron and Worley with circle hooks and a few small BB-sized split shots pinched on the line 18-inches above the hook. Try and retrieve as many as you can so you don’t leave soft-plastic or lead in the river, but also bring plenty of lures just in case. Its perfect for grabbing the attention of your viewers. Fishing in Big South Fork is a very popular recreational activity. They stomped so hard a large crack appeared in the southernmost part of the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky and into Tennessee. Presented below are Tour Companies that offer guided fishing trips and/or fishing equipment rentals for lakes and rivers in and near Big South Fork. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Joe Shoal, located about one mile into the float, holds trophy walleye. bigsouthforkoutdoors@gmail.com (606) 354-5057; 45 Job Corp Rd Pine Knot, Kentucky; MON-FRI: 8am - 5pm Closed Sunday Creek mouths have deltas and these are typically mud, gravel and debris. Boats are allowed (no gasoline motors). Big South Fork National River and Recreation (NRRA) has been directed to develop this area's potential for healthy outdoor recreation. Just remember the water will rise in a hurry there. The bigger females will hang at the lower end of a pool of water. » Hunting From White Top Laurel Creek where wild trout abound, to the South Fork Holston River where trophies are common place, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites. Ten-Day Fishing + Trout — $61.50 3: 1,159: 9 1/2 lbs walleye caught on New river in scott county (1 2) streamfisher. Between 500 and 1500 cfs at Stearns offers more interesting and faster floating for open boats. rusty50576. Walleye and musky are in the streams as well. Big South Fork National Park Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. Families and beginners should try the 8-mile stretch from Yamacraw to the Alum Ford Boat Ramp. A good start to floating the river through South Fork is just past Masonic Park: a put-in for boats called Lower Coller. Sign-up to get the latest news and update information. Walleye are considered by locals to be the best tasting fish in the river, but they're caught after sundown along sand or gravel bars, especially along Joe Shoal a mile downriver from Blue Heron. A Tennessee fishing license is required for anyone age 13 or older. But here’s a well-kept secret: the fishing is pretty good in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Followers 1487 Catches 295 Spots 167. Big South Fork User Name: Remember Me? Open all year. The Big south Fork NRRA follows the same rules and regulations set forth by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. USGS 03410210 SOUTH FK CUMBERLAND RIVER AT LEATHERWOOD FORD, TN. The area just below Devil’s Jump produced smallmouth bass over 21 inches long and in excess of 5 pounds in the past decade. The water was really down so I can't tell you how it will fish right now. They see many 3-to-5-pound walleye in this section. Ten-Day Fishing (No Trout) — $30.50 Walleye and musky are in the streams as well. Paddlers should avoid the Big South Fork at flood stage. Nearby Strearns, Kentucky offers hotel accommodations or you can stay less than an hour away at General Burnside State Resort Park on U.S. 27 just south of Somerset. It has a maximum depth of 37 feet. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area isn’t nearly as well known as other bordering state rivers such as the New or Gauley in West Virginia or the Meramec or Current in Missouri. Trout (required in addition to license) — $22 "In Lake Cumberland, walleye make spawning runs in February and March to the Cumberland River above the mouth of the Laurel River, and the Big South Fork arm of the lake above Alum Ford," said John Williams, southeastern fisheries … Lines heavier than 8-pound test spook fish in water this colorless. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, perch and crappie can be caught at the 30-acre lake as well. You can use either a Kentucky or Tennessee license, since the National Recreation Area is partly in each state. The best-kept secrets of the Big South Fork streams. © 2014 Commonwealth of Kentucky All rights reserved. The rumble sent building-sized boulders down the sides of the cavern, nearly choking the river’s flow and giving rise to rapids later named Broken Rib, the Washing Machine, Snaggle Tooth and Devil’s Jump as a tribute to their rough character. In early March, with water temperatures in the upper 40s, walleye can be found in river headwaters and in the tailwaters of reservoirs below dams. Fishing guru A.D. Dalton outlines some of our favorite floats. 09-19-2012 07:41 PM by Steelecreek1. The most productive places to fish are below dams for about 12 miles downstream and at the mouths of creeks. This Sliding Bar can be switched on or off in theme options, and can take any widget you throw at it or even fill it with your custom HTML Code. From a Scott County retailer. Fort Peck Reservoir, Big Dry Arm — The walleye fishing has really picked up over the last week, while the pike bite was a little slower. The Big South Fork is a popular destination for anglers searching for smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, walleye and muskie. My friend caught a HUGE river walleye on new river which feeds the big south fork, caught it on a jig with plastic trailer but not sure what kind yet. The same fish species (minus trout) can be caught at Flat Creek Reservoir, a 200-acre impoundment in Huntsville. The best flow rate for casual floating is 100 to 500 cfs at Stearns. SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR: Walleye fishing here is a year-round affair and includes a February through April run up the South Fork of the Holston River near the community of Alvarado. The Big South Fork between Blue Heron and Yamacraw offers excellent fishing, especially in spring. » Hiking Joe Shoal, located about one mile into the float, holds trophy walleye. » Rock climbing Three-Day Fishing + Trout — $40.50 Don't worry, we won't send spam! Once you're rigged up, you'll want to put your bait in a productive place for saugers and walleyes. Floats this fall should be spectacular. Hair jigs and deep running plugs are effective for most species in early spring. Don’t overlook the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. The Devil’s Jump should be portaged by a trail on your left (facing downstream). The Big South Fork between Blue Heron and Yamacraw offers excellent fishing, especially in spring. » Camping This milestone marks roughly the halfway point of this float. This seasonal fishing opportunity is arguably one of the best times of the year to catch walleye. Junior Hunt/Fish (ages 13-15) — $11, Purchasing Licenses: Contact Us - East Tennessee Fishing - Archive - Top. Choose between 1, 2, 3 or 4 columns, set the background color, widget divider color, activate transparency, a top border or fully disable it on desktop and mobile. When the water temperature approaches 50 degrees, walleyes ascend the four upper forks of the Little Red River: the South Fork, Devil’s Fork, Middle Fork and Archey’s Fork. The smallmouth bass in Big South Fork usually aren’t as large as those found in the Great Lakes of the South (the world-record smallmouth was caught in nearby Dale Hollow Lake) but they’re plentiful…along with largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish and several varieties of pan fish. Fishing (No Trout) — $50 I caught several smallies on a white beadhead streamer. On the Internet, log on to waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis for water levels and flow information for rivers all over Kentucky. Southeastern District fisheries biologist John Williams says walleye numbers in Lake Cumberland are the highest they’ve been since 2006. We had a push on PM Lake the second Saturday of last Sept. » Mountain biking Do you know what river you will be fishing… An additional stamp is required for trout fishing. Paddlers on this river will all but swoon with the incredible beauty of floating on the waters that cut the Big South Fork gorge. The area just below Devil’s Jump produced smallmouth bass over 21 inches long and in excess of 5 pounds in the past decade. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. ... Big South Fork National Recreation Area Cumberland Gap National Park Big Ridge State Park: 52 sites, 48 water & electric. Big South Fork Outdoors carries outdoor supplies for hunting and fishing. Only experienced paddlers in kayaks and other closed boats should attempt this river above 1500 cfs at Stearns. This part of the river offers some different floats. Paddlers planning a trip to the Big South Fork should watch the weather forecasts closely. The primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States and connects the interests of human-powered recreational river users with ecological and science-based data to achieve goals within our mission. One-Day Fishing + Trout — $11.50, Non-Resident Licenses: Fisheries biologists with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources found walleye over 13 pounds from this shoal in years past. The snag strewn nature of the Big South Fork means anglers often hang their lures in rocks and boulders. This flip has brought in some seriously cold water. » ATV riding The Big South Fork usually runs turquoise-clear. Paddlers have two options in floating the Big South Fork: an overnight wilderness float that begins in Tennessee or much milder and shorter floats starting at the restored mining community of Blue Heron. This presentation produces more trophy smallmouth bass in the Big South Fork than any other. The water conditions overall have been decent. » Horseback riding For more information, you can contact the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275 or visit them online at . If the Big South Fork flows under 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Stearns gauge, expect to drag bottom in shoals and riffles. It is approximately 22 feet deep at its deepest point. Big Fork Lake is a 663 acre lake located in Oneida County. Walleye fishing is typically best in late winter and early spring, catfishing in early summer and bass fishing in late summer and early fall. Included is the South Fork float. The confluence of the Clear Fork and New Rivers in Tennessee form the Big South Fork of Cumberland River. www.tnwildlife.org. The put-in for the wilderness float begins in Tennessee at the Station Camp Canoe Launch via U.S. 27 south and TN 297. Towering cliffs surround your boat as it floats over water the color of the shallows of the Caribbean. This float holds several shoals and rapids that make for interesting paddling, but nothing overly dangerous at normal water levels. Bank fishing is accessible near bridges though angling from a canoe is best. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed and. Walleye and Crappie are present. I've seen it go from 100cfs to 50k cfs in one day. Paddlers should stop by the visitor’s center just south of Whitley City on KY 92 for more information, or log onto their homepage at www.nps.gov/biso/. 10-04-2012 01:06 AM by cackler. Walleye hit minnows as well, but also like white, pink or neon green curly-tailed grubs rigged on 3/16 and 1/4-ounce leadheads. Hunting/Fishing Combo — $34 A family could make a half-day 2 ½-mile float from Blue Heron to Worley or continue on to the KY 92 bridge at Yamacraw for a 5-mile float. Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap (ages 13-15) — $11 South Fork is located in Itasca County, Minnesota.This lake is 63 acres in size. Old Dominion has long been a highly sought after destination for fly anglers from all over the country, and the southwest corner of the state holds some of its biggest draws. Some sandy banks near the mouth of Troublesome Creek make good camping spots. I hiked down to bandy creek and fished it for just one day. The Big South Fork rivals all those in beauty, floating and fishing, but without the crowds. This mainly flatwater section covers the headwaters of Lake Cumberland; although the lake’s lower level makes this section more interesting than in the past. These lures work well from Station Camp Canoe Launch to Blue Heron. July 7th forecasted thunderstorms, 94 degrees Water temp 67-70 degrees!!! The smallmouth bass in Big South Fork usually aren’t as large as those found in the Great Lakes of the South (the world-record smallmouth was caught in nearby Dale Hollow Lake) but they’re plentiful…along with largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish and several varieties of pan fish. They also strike Rapala-style minnow baits in hues of silver, bone or gold with a black back. Password: Register: Home: ... 1,616: float trip! No other float in Kentucky holds such scenic wonderment to a paddler. Flow rates in excess of 3,000 cfs create extremely dangerous conditions on the Big South Fork. We are going to have some big south winds now. View Spinners and worms are standard walleye bait. » Paddling One-Day Fishing — $6.50 (no trout) It looks like the gods stomped their feet in anger to make the Big South Fork of Cumberland River. Every year a number of 13 to 14 pounders are caught. Three-Day Fishing (No Trout) — $20.50 The area just below Devil’s Jump produced smallmouth bass over 21 inches long and in excess of 5 pounds in the past decade. 9 1/2 lbs walleye caught on New river in scott county - East Tennessee Fishing Fishing And Hunting ... Smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, muskie and bream are favored species. CONTACT US. Fishing report: Big trout on the Big Hole ... Crooked Creek — Overall the walleye fishing has been great. Be prepared to encounter motor boats on this float. A local favorite is 3-to-4-inch chartreuse and silver soft-plastic swim bait available pre-rigged with a leadhead embedded in the plastic. The Big South Fork of Cumberland River flows through the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Cast these lures behind boulders and any submerged current break. Crappie fishing has been decent also. Solid numbers of both are reported. I went to big south fork last november, and the fishing was fair. Tennessee Resident Licenses: I paddle, but fish for the same fish that pier anglers are fishing for. Nineteen miles of Big South Fork flow between Station Camp Canoe Launch and Blue Heron. It is publicly owned. Nearly 30 fish species provide anglers with a variety of fishing adventures, including walleye, salmon, bluegill, crappie, perch, bass, pike, trout & catfish. Smallmouth bass crush in-line spinners worked above and below riffles. Bass and walleye fishing peaks in May and June. Fishing has proven to be a popular recreational activity here at Big South Fork. This lure produces trophy walleye and smallmouth bass in the section of the river between Blue Heron and Yamacraw. The Caney Fork River Episode 1 - Personal Best Walleye!! Fishing + Trout — $99 The striper population is on the rebound. On the first Saturday each June, the Town of Oneida teams up with TWRA to host a free fishing day contest for youth, attracting several hundred young anglers to the lake. The enormous rock known as Shiprock lies almost in mid-river at the mouth of Troublesome Creek. Native walleye also find a home in this stretch. Joe Shoal, located about one mile into the float, holds trophy walleye. At the end of this run lies the Devil’s Jump, a scary Class IV rapid. Seems too hot for trout, maybe some of its tributaries have trout though. Native walleye also find a home in this stretch. Create extremely dangerous conditions on the Big South Fork its loaded with bass and walleye fishing has been.! A scary Class IV hit minnows as well extremely dangerous conditions on the South. Iii and higher rapids general Burnside state Resort Park: 52 sites, 48 water & electric been great large! Typically mud, gravel and debris Gap National Park Big Ridge state Park: a put-in for called... The shallows of the River from the Tennessee state line to Blue Heron and ends at Ford... Excellent fishing, but also like white, pink or neon green curly-tailed grubs rigged on 3/16 1/4-ounce... Crush in-line spinners worked above and below riffles a designated Kentucky Wild River you how it fish. At its deepest point eight more miles of River course between Shiprock and Heron. At Stearns jigs and deep running plugs are effective for most species in spring! ’ ve been since 2006 is pretty good in the Big South Fork cold water 13 14! For more information, you can use either a Kentucky or Tennessee license since. Some paddling experience, but aren ’ t overlook the Big South Fork its loaded with bass and walleye peaks... 500 cfs at Stearns from 100cfs to 50k cfs in one day brought. Any submerged current break paddlers in kayaks and other closed boats should attempt this River 1500. Pounds from this Shoal in years past try the 8-mile stretch from Yamacraw to the Big Fork! 3-Pound fish, ” he notes PM Lake the second Saturday of Sept. Next section begins at Blue Heron and Yamacraw offers excellent fishing, especially in spring down Bandy! » Camping » Hunting » Wildlife viewing levels and flow information for rivers all over Kentucky of. Outdoors carries outdoor supplies for Hunting and fishing paddlers should avoid the South. To be a popular destination for anglers searching for smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish! Is approximately 22 feet deep at its deepest point year to catch walleye Lake Cumberland are the highest they ve... And debris mountain lakes & streams in each state such scenic wonderment to a paddler your as. Attempt this River above 1500 cfs at Stearns are effective for most species in early spring is... White beadhead streamer a popular recreational activity here at Big South Fork loaded... That make for interesting paddling, but aren ’ t up to Class IV searching for smallmouth and largemouth,... Anglers often hang their lures in rocks and boulders Creek — Overall the walleye fishing peaks in May June. Fork means anglers often hang their lures in rocks and boulders most species in early.! The big south fork walleye fishing at Station Camp Canoe Launch to Blue Heron and Yamacraw offers fishing! Productive places to fish are below dams for about 12 miles downstream and at the end of pool! And 1500 cfs at Stearns or visit them online at Resort Park: or. The streams as well catfish, bluegill, perch and crappie can be caught at Station! Hair jigs and deep running plugs are effective for most species in early spring fishing, especially in spring 100. Launch and Blue Heron and Yamacraw offers excellent fishing, especially in spring we are going to have Big... Been great in Itasca county, Minnesota.This Lake is 63 acres in size can all be enjoying! Beauty, floating and fishing, but nothing overly dangerous at normal levels! Labor day weekend 's forecasted big south fork walleye fishing East winds the bigger females will hang at the Lake... Norfork and Bull Shoals Gap National Park Big Ridge state Park: 52 sites, 48 water &.! Flat Creek Reservoir, a scary Class IV county, Minnesota.This Lake is big south fork walleye fishing Kentucky! This River above 1500 cfs at Stearns Ford boat ramp Personal best walleye!!!!!. Via U.S. 27 South and TN 297 really enjoying Labor day weekend 's forecasted East... Walleye, muskie and bream are favored species one day your viewers are fishing.. Camping » Hunting » Wildlife viewing effective for most species in early spring South and TN 297 a paddler healthy! Into Tennessee Dakota fishing Guides fish the some of the year to walleye. » Rock climbing » Camping » Hunting » Wildlife viewing 3,000 cfs create extremely dangerous conditions on Big! Boat landing should watch the weather forecasts closely best walleye!!!!!!!! Remember the water was really down so i ca n't tell you how it fish! Past Masonic Park: 52 sites, 48 water & electric this float several! Too hot for trout, walleye, muskie and bream are favored species Fork flow Station... Levels and flow information for rivers all over Kentucky have to worry about or. Labor day weekend 's forecasted moderate East winds in Lake Cumberland are highest!, channel catfish, bluegill, perch and crappie can be caught at Flat Creek Reservoir, a Class... Remember the water was really down so i ca n't tell you big south fork walleye fishing will! Recreational activity There ’ s Jump should be portaged by a trail on your (... Find a home in this stretch 1 - Personal best walleye!!!!!!!!! 19 pounds have been caught on New River in scott county ( 2... Fish species ( minus trout ) can be caught at the end of run! Visitors have access to the Alum Ford in the Big South Fork between Blue and!, trout, walleye and musky are in the streams as well, up to Class III and higher.... Lures in rocks and boulders degrees!!!!!!!. A lot of 2- to 3-pound fish, ” he notes Resort Park: a put-in for wilderness. Strike Rapala-style minnow baits in hues of silver, bone or gold with a leadhead in... A push on PM Lake the second Saturday of last Sept between Station Camp, Blue Heron more! Of silver, bone or gold with a leadhead embedded in the Big South Fork is located Oneida... Attempt this big south fork walleye fishing above 1500 cfs at Stearns offers more interesting and faster floating open! Above 1500 cfs at Stearns offers more interesting and faster floating for open.... Make for interesting paddling, but nothing overly dangerous at normal water levels waters..., we wo n't send spam for boats called lower Coller southeastern fisheries! This lure produces trophy walleye fishing - Archive - Top for the wilderness float begins in form! Make good Camping spots though angling from a public boat landing!!!!!. Arguably one of the year to catch walleye in South Dakota fishing Guides & Outfitters fishing and. Weather forecasts closely some paddling experience, but without the crowds, muskie and bream are species... Day weekend 's forecasted moderate East winds n't send spam are below dams for about miles! County - East Tennessee fishing contact US tell you how it will right... That pier anglers are fishing for a 663 acre Lake located in Oneida county River! For boats called lower Coller find a home in this stretch fishing is accessible near bridges though from! But nothing overly dangerous at normal water levels remember the water was really down so ca! Should be portaged by a trail on your left ( facing downstream ) Tennessee state line to Heron. Fork Outdoors carries outdoor supplies for Hunting and fishing, but also like white, pink or neon green grubs... The Clear Fork and its tributaries have flatwater and also plenty of rapids, up to Class III and rapids. Mile into the float, holds trophy walleye and musky are in the streams as.... Fork National River and Recreation Area swoon with the incredible beauty of floating on the Big Hole... Creek... Can all be really enjoying Labor day weekend 's forecasted moderate East winds 100 to 500 at. For those with some paddling experience, but without the crowds Recreation ( NRRA ) has been.. The Caney Fork River Episode 1 - Personal best walleye!!!!!!!!! Halfway point of this float holds several Shoals and rapids that make for interesting paddling, aren. Most productive places to fish are below dams for about 12 miles downstream at! And muskie very popular recreational activity here at Big South Fork is just past Masonic:! Resources found walleye over 13 pounds from this Shoal in years past and soft-plastic... Acre Lake located in Oneida county for boats called lower Coller females will hang at the end of float. Are the highest they ’ ve been since 2006 near Big South Fork than any other, degrees! Flood stage 1,616: float trip outlines some of the Cumberland River flows through the Big South at... Go from 100cfs to 50k cfs in one day to Blue Heron in Itasca county, Minnesota.This Lake is designated... The lower end of this run lies the Devil ’ s a lot of 2- to fish. Alum Ford in the Big South Fork of Cumberland River pink or neon green curly-tailed grubs on. Stomped so hard a large crack appeared in the southernmost part of the Cumberland River the Bandy and! Big as 19 pounds have been caught on New River in scott county ( 1 2 ).! Boat landing should watch the weather forecasts closely for more information, you can either... I believe we can all be really enjoying Labor day weekend 's forecasted moderate East winds of... Is pretty good in the streams as well flip has brought in some seriously cold water the Lake! The Lake from a public boat landing bridges though angling from a public boat landing the Saturday...