By this time of the year the Patoka River has become a brown stagnant trickle, however, this year’s extraordinary amount of rain filled the Patoka Reservoir to the point where, as of this writing, the lake is still at least 5 feet above summer pool. The Corp of Engineers has the dam releasing water at the rate of 295 CFS to bring the level down before winter. Subsequently, the Patoka is flowing very well. At the tailwater, fishing from any of the sidewalks other than the two highest will require standing in about a foot of water. For kayakers and canoeists this water level means a pretty good 7.5-mile route is available.
The trip from a paddler’s point of view is enjoyable, along with the flowing water, flowers are blooming along the banks almost the entire trip and wildlife is abundant. When I went on September 9, there were few snags or log jams and the only major obstacle was a road that was submerged around mile 3. The road created a small waterfall with a drop of about 14 inches. The water level wasn’t high enough for me to run the fall, I tried and ended up doing the butt scootin’ boogy to finish. Usually the road is above water and it is an easy 9-foot portage from one side to the other.
From the recreational paddler’s point of view (a recreational paddler would be someone that gets on the water only a couple times during the year with friends and looks forward to moments on the trip when they can pop a top and falling in the water is a highlight of the trip) this trip may be a little boring, the muddy banks and private property don’t allow for many places to stop and picnic, however, this is a good fishing trip.
Around the 4th mile of the trip, trotlines began popping up and for about a mile there was a trotline about every 50 feet or so. This led me to believe that catfish must be abundant and locals verified this assumption. In fishing the river I usually catch crappy, pumpkinseed, and bass as well as bluegill. They congregate around submerged root wads, stream entrances, and the couple of bridges on the trip. I have also seen gar and supposedly there are paddlefish (illegal to take).
In a few weeks if they continue to release water from the reservoir, this trip will be highlighted by the fall colors of the hardwood lined banks of the Patoka. The maples are already turning and this trip will become stunningly beautiful when all of the trees’ leaves have turned.
