NO JOKE: Boating already underway at Taylorsville Lake

This was no April Fool’s Day joke. Jet-skis were making their way across Taylorsville Lake on April1 and they had to wait in line to launch behind an array of pleasure boats, fishing boats and other craft. Summer has seemed to arrive early at the lake, and for one local business, there couldn’t be better news.

John Shindlebower

The Taylorsville Lake Marina is now open for business this season.

Taylorsville Lake Marina saw a steady stream of traffic on the opening weekend as temperatures reached near 80 degrees and the bright sun made it look more like June than early April. Marina workers know they might be in for a busy spring if this unseasonably warm weather continues, which is fine when you contrast it to the weather problems from last year.
“This time last year we’d be standing in about 50 feet of water,” said Jerry Sewell, manager of the Marina as he spoke from his office over the weekend. Last year, record rainfalls caused major flooding across Kentucky, and Taylorsville Lake, which was built primarily for flood control, rose substantially to the point where visitors to the marina had to be shuttled in by boat because the water had risen above access roads.
The marina opened on time last year, but when the flood hit, business was down some because customers had to be shuttled for a couple of months. That’s how long the high waters persisted. Sewell said some people didn’t know they were open. That’s not an issue this year.
The business forecast may be as sunny as the weather forecast this spring as boaters, fishermen and water enthusiasts seem eager to take advantage of the warm temperatures.
“It’s brought them out of the woodwork,” said Jewell of the visitors to the lake at this early point in the season.
He said the fishing has also been really good this spring as he’s seen numerous people coming off their boats with stringers loaded with fish. He said the lake is unfairly referred to as the ‘dead sea’ because of fears that it’s overfished. However, Sewell said that “anybody who calls us the dead sea, they just don’t know how to fish.”
Sewell said the success of the Marina is good news not only for them, but for all of Taylorsville as people from both Lexington and Louisville travel into Spencer County for a day of fun on the lake. He said a successful year at the Marina can be a big economic boost for the entire community.
While the early weather certainly hasn’t kept people away, Sewell said the Marina is offering a new incentive that might target fears of gas prices. Boat rentals are now accompanied by a one-time gas fee that won’t change even if gas prices continue to rise. For example, if you rent a pontoon boat, you may pay a $50 gas fee. You can take that boat out on the lake with a full tank of gas, use all the gas you want, and when you bring it back to the marina, you won’t have to worry about the price at the pump.
Gas prices may be keeping people closer to home for a little fun and relaxation and Spencer Countians may even want to consider a fun day on the lake. The Taylorsville Lake Marina rents fishing jon boats, a variety of pontoon boats and deck boats. For more information, visit www.taylorsvillelakemarina.com.