Im going up to Cumberland to fish a tourny on April 1. me and my partner squeeked by in the regional at Lake Hartwell. We're from Florida and really dont know what to expect. only thing i hear is that the largemouths are more east which is good cause were puttin in at Burnside Park. i want to target largemouths and spots cause thats all i know. Any helpful techniques, baits or areas would help tons..(dont want yall's honey-holes) just stuff that my help out a florida boy. Thanks in advance!  John

Lake Cumberland ? if your talking in maryland you must be talking about deep creek lake ! which is the next town up . I know nothing about it , sorry , Pike , largemouth are the most caught there I beleive  

Sorry I'm talking about Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. thanks though.

Its been a few years since I have fished it, but I recall we focused on the rocks on points we found toward the mouth of a cove.  Last I hear they had a big drawdown on Cumberland, so I'm not sure if any of those spots would even be still hitting or if they are now above water level.  We didnt fish below 10-12 feet of water, mostly throwing cranks in the Eastern coves.  Its been a while!

I fished the KY BASS Federation Nation state championship on Lake Cumberland back in November. It was the only time I've ever been there so I'm no expert on the lake. Not many fish were weighed in, but there were some dandy smallmouths and spots. Of course, I'm like you and went out targeting largemouth which is probably why I finished 16th out of 30. Be prepared to fish some deep, clear water! As far as the water level goes, yes they did a major drawdown, but Cumberland is a VERY deep lake and there is still plenty of water. We put in at Conneley Bottoms where they have extended the boat ramp. From what I've heard there are some ramps that are out of the water and can't be used. Sorry I can't help you more, but like I said that was my only trip to Cumberland and I didn't exactly knock 'em dead.

Best advice I can give you for fishing Lake Cumberland is to bring your life jackets!  They have a Nazi for a conservation officer down there.  One weekend he stopped around 350 boats to check for compliance.  He's a real believer in 'flexing his muscles' if you know what I mean.  

Jason Quinn did a good show on Cumberland last year.  If you can't get them to bite in the low end head for the deeper water, and bounce a spoon for awhile.  I've had a little luck doing this over the years.  

I have been to cumbeland and know this. It is filled with coves and pads so if I were you I would try running and gunning.

If youre targeting largemouths go with spinnerbaits up in the creeks. I personally would go after smallies and spots, they will be in the main lake on points. Throw jerkbaits and float n flys. We caught em good on float n flys in april last year. You can catch a quick limit of spots then go looking for the largemouths. good luck

are there really pads in this lake? what about any grasses?

Ok, I live 45 minutes from there.  Great lake to fish, the deal with the water level is that there was a hole or leak (something to that effect) in the dam so they have dropped the water ALOT.  What does this mean?  Less water for fish to be in = more concentration of fish, but believe me there is plently of water there.  In April you should expect fish to be Pre-spawn to Spawning.  I would make sure that I had light finesse bait to fish bed fish (tubes, flukes, etc.)  A nice pair of Polarized sunglasses will be a must. Start in shallow water and move deeper.  Shakey head or dead sticking might be a viable option as well.  The weather will dictate a lot during this time of year.  I went to a neighboring lake today water temp was 42.9. Float n' fly is a must if water temp is under 50.  You can never go wrong with a spinnerbait! Pattern the fish quickly see if they like a vertical presentation or if they like a horizontial presentation (horz = spinners, cranks, etc. vetic. = jigs, worms, etc.)  Hope this helps and good luck!   8-)

thanks for the helpful tips yall! Just wondering, DangerRanger, will the lake still be that low if they fixed the dam? i know it can't come up too much..

..Also if there's anywhere i could get recent pictures of the lake and average temps and conditions for it would be a huge help too..thanks

alger319, i sent you a PM. hope this helps a little.

Fishing Information by Phone: (606) 678-8697

Fishing conditions on Lake Cumberland are reported as follows: Smallmouth Bass are being caught on float-n-fly methods off the points. Striper Fishing has slowed and are being caught by down rod and planner board methods fishing live shad 15-45' down in the middle of the major creeks. Below the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery and in the Cumberland River, Rainbow and Brown Trout can be caught on spinners, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, and corn. As of February 22, the water temperature at Lee's Ford Marina was 41 degrees from the surface to 30 feet.

Generating Schedule

On February 25, 2008 the Lake Cumberland headwater elevation is 681.75. The tentative power generation schedule is for the next 24 hours, CT. This schedule is subject to change without notice.

P.S.  The Dam project is scheduled for years.  Google Wolfe Creek Dam Cumberland Lake.

Does anyone know when the fish spawn in Cumberland, again i'll be up there  March 31- April 5. i know this cold front just went through, but was wondering what temps do the fish start bedding in this place. As of today the temp is 50 deg. i was thinking around 55 deg, but not sure about lakes other than Florida's... :-?

We have a club tournament there in a couple of weeks and we were talking the other day that it would be a good time to through some crankbaits so you might want to look into that.

No there aren't any pads or grass. This time of year a very popular local pattern is throwing a 3/8 oz. Stan Sloan colorado/willow spinnerbait in hot pink. yes I said hot pink. You can get them in any tackle store in the area. Run it 1 to 2 ft off the bank parallel to bluff banks on the main lake and 1st third of the creeks. This is mainly a smally tactic best used on the lower third of the lake [long run]. For largemouths try the same tactic in the back third of these same creeks with a more conventional color. If the largemouths seem farther along towards the spawn try trick/wacky worms in the pockets in the same areas.  

well just got back from that bowl of water. rained everyday, windy and cold. caught plenty of fish but most were short. lost bout a five pound smallie, didn't make the cut. oh well, at least it's pretty up there...