The 74 pros have quickly spread along the length of Lake Barkley's 134 miles. This lake is about one-third the size of Kentucky Lake, with 57,920 surface acres to Kentucky Lake's 160,309. Barkley Dam impounds the Cumberland River, which, like the Tennessee River, flows south to north. The Cumberland and Tennessee rivers run parallel to each other for about 50 miles, separated by The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, which includes 170,000 acres.
Randy Howell was one of the first anglers to head north, where he's caught a 3-pounder and a 2-8, giving him 5 1/2 pounds early.