Rough River Dam Naturalist and Recreation Blog

Kentucky bass caught from shore

I haven’t posted a fishing report for Rough River in quite some time but I’m still seeing plenty of people fishing from the bank here at the park so I’ll share what information I do know for early December fishing. The main issue with the lake right now is that the Corps of Engineers has not begun releasing water for the annual winter draw-down. A construction project at the tailwater as well as low water issues on the Mississippi River have halted the process and the draw-down may not begin until as late as January. That being said, there’s plenty of fishable water out there for boaters and bank anglers but typically in the late fall and winter, fishing is best when the water is being released and current is generated throughout the lake. Fish can still be caught, however, and I spent about an hour fishing from the bank below the lodge and caught a couple small bass on a crankbait fished parallel to the shore. I also know that crappie are being taken by boat in decent numbers, mostly around submerged brush on small jigs and minnows. READ MORE

Cedar Waxwing
Photo courtesy of Steve Nanz Photography

The month of November is passing rapidly and fall is quickly dissolving into winter as we are beginning to experience sub-freezing temperatures overnight and cold, dreary conditions during the day. Although the climate may not be considered ideal to some, the early winter is time to see wildlife on the move including migratory birds, wild turkeys, squirrels, and White-tailed Deer. At the park, Gray Squirrels continue to hoard what remaining nuts they can find and fruit trees are filled with large groups of Cedar Waxwings who make quick work of what these trees have to offer them. Giant flocks of Sandhill Cranes are on the move and thousands of these yearly migrants will pass through this area in the following weeks. I recommend bundling up and getting outdoors to take advantage of the opportunities for watchable wildlife – what better way to walk off some of the extra calories that we’re all dealing with from last week’s holiday! READ MORE

Photo courtesy of Steve Nanz Photography

Ever since I was a young child the holidays has been my favorite time of the year and I’ve always been a fan of holiday music. Radio stations and retailers have already begun to play holiday songs and at the park we are not exception. One line from the holiday classic "Winter Wonderland" always stuck out at me and caused me to wonder where the song was written. The line reads “gone away is the bluebird, here to stay is the new bird.” Being from the Southeast in Kentucky, we are fortunate that the Eastern Bluebird is a permanent resident that can be seen year-round and in the dead of winter. You might conclude, therefore, that the author of this song was from the north where bluebirds do, indeed, leave for the winter or was simply unfamiliar with the range of the Eastern Bluebird. After a little research I discovered that this song was written by Richard B. Smith during his time in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a state that does see a portion of its bluebird population migrate south for the winter. So the next time you hear the song Winter Wonderland in the southeast, be thankful that your winter wonderland will include the beauty of the Eastern Bluebird!

Dark-eyed Junco
Photo courtesy of Steve Nanz Photography

In the weeks since my last report the majority of the trees have surpassed their peak color transformation and many have already blanketed the ground with their leaves. Fall colors can still be seen by the scattered trees that are stubbornly clinging to their foliage including Red Maples, Southern Red Oaks, and the occasional Sugar Maple. Wildlife is still very active thanks to the cooler autumn temperatures and I’m spotting migratory birds, Gray Squirrels, and White-tailed Deer regularly at the park. This is the perfect time of year to get outdoors, enjoy crisp morning temperatures, and enjoy the sights at your local Kentucky State Park! READ MORE

Yellow-rumped Warbler
Photo courtesy of Steve Nanz Photography

Autumn is here and now is the time to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful sights of the fall season at Rough River Dam State Resort Park. The leaves have been morphing into their colorful fall phases and many of the maples have achieved their peak color transformation with the oaks and hickories following suit. Crisper temperatures have the park’s wildlife active and visible and migratory birds including fall warblers can currently be seen feeding in maple, oak, and birch trees in front of the lodge. Gray squirrels are working tirelessly as they store nuts and acorns in preparation for winter. READ MORE