I am trying to find an online resource to shows the present and predominate Bait and Forage Fish Species for the TVA system, and more specifically Barkley and Kentucky Lake but Google has failed me! lol Can anyone please point me in the direction of where to find this information? I am not looking for spots, or any specific data, just species present to give me a start for lure selection to match the hatch so to speak. Thanks!

Try googling "ky lake fishing reports" There are a number of guides that report weekly on lake conditions,water temps,current "best baits", etc. I fished KY last year in April for two weeks and am leaving on the 16th for two more weeks. Last year, we caught most of our fish on shakey head worms , pumpkin and pumpkin/chart. T-rigged lizzards, same colors and 3/8 oz spinner baits double willow, chart/white and blue/silver. Shad and crawfish are the most abundant foarge. With the 68-80 bridge out, fishing both lakes is difficult unless you are staying near the dam. Good luck.

threadfin and gizzard shad. some spottail and golden shiners along with bluegill but most of the year the bass will be on shad

Shad, Shad and Shad. Did I mention Shad

Send your question to the address below. It is the KY dept of fish and wildlife. If anyone can answer your question it will be them also check out their website. It may take a little searching but you can find the states fishing report for the western end of the state. It will not be long until Mayflies start to count as a forage for bass and bluegill. Find a mayfly hatch and it will be on like donky kong.

info.center@ky.gov