Kentucky Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Kentucky.
Lake Barkley
Barren River Lake
Cave Run Lake
Lake Cumberland
Grayson Lake
Green River Lake
Herrington Lake
Kentucky Lake
Laurel River Lake
Nolin River Lake
Rough River Lake
Taylorsville Lake
More Kentucky lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Barren River LakeBarren & Allen Counties · 9,674 acres
Barren River Lake
KDFWR lists Barren River Lake at 9,674 acres with 14 access sites. Walleye have an 18-26 inch protective slot and black bass a 15 inch minimum.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
15 in minimum, limit 6
Smallmouth Bass
15 in minimum, limit 6
Spotted Bass
Statewide regulations
Crappie
10 in minimum; white and black
Walleye
18-26 in protective slot; limit 2
Wiper
Statewide regulations (hybrid striped bass)
White Bass
Statewide regulations
Blue Catfish
Combined with channel: 15 per angler, 1 over 25 in
Channel Catfish
Combined limit 15
Redear Sunfish
Statewide regulations
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- BRL State Park RampRampBarren County; paved, any trailerable boat, no feeDirections ↗
- Narrows MarinaRampBarren County; any trailerable boatDirections ↗
- Port Oliver RampRampAllen County; any trailerable boat, feeDirections ↗
- Walnut Creek RampRampAllen County; light trailerable, no feeDirections ↗
- Austin RampRampBarren County; light trailerable, no feeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Barren River Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Barren River Lake ↗Local tips
- Release walleye between 18 and 26 inches (native-strain restoration).
- Crappie must be 10 inches or longer.
- Combined catfish limit is 15 with no more than one over 25 inches.
Cave Run LakeRowan, Menifee, Morgan & Bath Counties · 7,880 acres
Cave Run Lake
KDFWR lists Cave Run Lake at 7,880 acres with over 20 access sites. It has a 12-15 inch protective slot on largemouth bass and a 40 inch muskellunge minimum.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Muskellunge
40 in minimum
Largemouth Bass
12-15 in slot must be released; limit 6 black bass
Smallmouth Bass
18 in minimum
Spotted Bass
Statewide regulations
Crappie
Statewide regulations; black and white
White Bass
Statewide regulations
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Alfrey Boat RampRampRowan County; any trailerable boat, feeDirections ↗
- Twin Knobs RampRampRowan County; any trailerable boat, feeDirections ↗
- Stoney CoveRampBath County; any trailerable boat, no feeDirections ↗
- Longbow RampRampMenifee County; any trailerable boat, feeDirections ↗
- Scotts Creek RampRampRowan County; any trailerable boat, feeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Cave Run Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Cave Run Lake ↗Local tips
- Release largemouth between 12 and 15 inches.
- Smallmouth must be 18 inches; muskie 40 inches.
- Gigging and snagging are prohibited in the main lake and tributaries to the first riffle.
Grayson LakeCarter and Elliott Counties · 1,300 acres
Grayson Lake
KDFWR describes Grayson Lake as a 1,300-acre lake with ramps in Carter and Elliott counties. Bass have a 12-15 inch protective slot limit.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
12-15 inch slot, release fish in slot
Smallmouth Bass
12-15 inch slot
Spotted Bass
Statewide regulations
Crappie
Black and white; statewide regulations
Wiper
Hybrid striped bass
White Bass
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Grayson Dam RampPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, fee, seasonal marina (Carter Co.)Directions ↗
- Bruin CreekPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, no fee (Elliott Co.)Directions ↗
- Newfoundland Boat RampPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, no fee (Elliott Co.)Directions ↗
- Clifty Creek RampPublicPaved, light trailerable, no fee (Carter Co.)Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Grayson Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Grayson Lake ↗Local tips
- Release bass between 12 and 15 inches.
- Only Grayson Dam Ramp charges a fee.
- A fishing pier is available near the dam.
Green River LakeAdair & Taylor Counties · 8,181 acres
Green River Lake
KDFWR lists Green River Lake at 8,181 acres with many paved ramps in Adair and Taylor counties. Muskellunge must be 40 inches and walleye 14 inches.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Statewide regulations
Smallmouth Bass
Statewide regulations
Spotted Bass
Statewide regulations
Crappie
9 in minimum; black and white
White Bass
Statewide regulations
Muskellunge
40 in minimum
Walleye
14 in minimum, limit 6
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- State MarinaRampTaylor County; any trailerable boat, no feeDirections ↗
- State Park/Lone Valley SiteRampTaylor County; any trailerable boat, no feeDirections ↗
- Holmes Bend RampRampAdair County; any trailerable boat, feeDirections ↗
- Smith RidgeRampTaylor County; any trailerable boat, feeDirections ↗
- Arnolds Landing RampRampAdair County; light trailerable, no feeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Green River Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Green River Lake ↗Local tips
- Crappie must be 9 inches or longer.
- Muskellunge must be 40 inches or longer.
- Three fishing piers are on the lake for non-boat anglers.
Herrington LakeGarrard, Mercer and Boyle Counties · 2,649 acres
Herrington Lake
KDFWR lists Herrington Lake at 2,649 acres in Garrard, Mercer and Boyle counties, with ten paved fee ramps.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
KDFWR largemouth assessment
Wiper
Hybrid striped bass; statewide regulations
White Bass
Statewide regulations
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Herrington MarinaPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, fee (Garrard Co.)Directions ↗
- Camp KennedyPublicPaved, any trailerable, fee, 24 hours year round (Garrard Co.)Directions ↗
- Cane Run RampPublicPaved, any trailerable, fee (Mercer Co.)Directions ↗
- Gwinn IslandPublicPaved, any trailerable, fee (Boyle Co.)Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Herrington Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Herrington Lake ↗Local tips
- All ten KDFWR-listed ramps are paved and charge a fee.
- Hybrid striped bass and white bass follow statewide rules.
Lake CumberlandRussell, Wayne, Pulaski, Clinton, Laurel, McCreary & Whitley Counties · 50,250 acres
Lake Cumberland
Lake Cumberland is a long, deep Army Corps lake in south-central Kentucky behind Wolf Creek Dam. It is the state's best striped bass lake and also known for walleye and smallmouth bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Striped Bass
Fish live shad or alewives on planer boards in the lower lake creek arms.
Walleye
Troll nightcrawler rigs 25 to 30 feet deep in summer.
Smallmouth Bass
Main lake points hold fish all year; try a float-n-fly in cold water.
Spotted Bass
Watch for schooling fish at first light in late summer.
Crappie
Try the mouths of the Laurel and Rockcastle rivers in early spring.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Conley Bottom RampPublicArmy Corps ramp near Nancy and Burnside; concrete, well keptDirections ↗
- Waitsboro RampPublicArmy Corps ramp near Somerset; usually less crowdedDirections ↗
- General Burnside Island RampPublicRamp at General Burnside Island State Park, BurnsideDirections ↗
- Lake Cumberland State Resort Park RampPublicState park ramp, US 127 south of Jamestown then State Park RoadDirections ↗
- Halcomb's LandingPublicPublic ramp off US 127 just before Wolf Creek DamDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Kentucky Fish & Wildlife or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie Crappie, black or white | 10 in | Statewide limit |
| White Crappie | 10 in | Statewide limit |
| Largemouth Bass | 15 in | Statewide limit |
| Smallmouth Bass | 18 in | Statewide limit |
| Striped Bass | 22 in | 2 / day |
| Walleye | 14 in | 6 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Durbin's Bait & TackleNearby8591 S Highway 27, Unit 2, Burnside, KY(606) 341-1122Directions ↗
- Captain Jake's Snack Shack & BaitNearby80 Kendall Rd, Jamestown, KY(270) 343-3477Directions ↗
Local tips
- In April and May, fish stripers at night with Rapala Slivers or Redfins in the upper half of creek arms.
- Striped bass must be 22 inches, with a limit of 2; walleye must be 14 inches.
- For stripers, look at Beaver, Otter, Wolf and Lily creek embayments in the lower lake.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
Laurel River LakeLaurel and Whitley Counties · 5,768 acres
Laurel River Lake
KDFWR lists Laurel River Lake at 5,768 acres, with access sites in Laurel and Whitley counties. Special rules cover largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie and walleye.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
15-inch minimum
Smallmouth Bass
18-inch minimum, 2 per angler
Spotted Bass
Statewide regulations
Crappie
9-inch minimum, 15 per angler
Walleye
14-inch minimum, 6 per angler
White Bass
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Grove Marina and RampPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, fee, marina year round (Whitley Co.)Directions ↗
- Holly Bay Marina and RampPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, fee, marina (Laurel Co.)Directions ↗
- Hightop RampPublicPaved, light trailerable boats, no fee (Whitley Co.)Directions ↗
- Marsh Branch RampPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, fee (Laurel Co.)Directions ↗
- Flatwoods RampPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, fee (Laurel Co.)Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Laurel River Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Laurel River Lake ↗Local tips
- Largemouth must be 15 inches and smallmouth 18 inches.
- Walleye minimum is 14 inches; crappie 9 inches.
- Hightop and Holly Bay Campers Only ramps charge no fee.
Nolin River LakeHart, Edmonson & Grayson Counties · 6,017 acres
Nolin River Lake
KDFWR lists Nolin River Lake at 6,017 acres with eight paved ramps. Walleye must be 14 inches and black bass 15 inches.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
15 in minimum, limit 6
Smallmouth Bass
15 in minimum, limit 6
Crappie
10 in minimum; black and white
White Bass
Statewide regulations
Walleye
14 in minimum, limit 6
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Nolin Dam RampRampEdmonson County; paved, trailerable, feeDirections ↗
- Bacon CreekRampHart County; paved, light trailerable, no feeDirections ↗
- Brier Creek RampRampEdmonson County; paved, trailerable, no feeDirections ↗
- Dog Creek RampRampHart County; paved, trailerable, feeDirections ↗
- Wax RampRampGrayson County; paved, trailerable, feeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Nolin River Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Nolin River Lake ↗Local tips
- Crappie must be 10 inches or longer.
- Walleye minimum is 14 inches; limit 6.
- KDFWR maintains a fish attractor map for the lake.
Rough River LakeBreckinridge and Grayson Counties · 4,848 acres
Rough River Lake
KDFWR lists Rough River Lake at 4,848 acres in Breckinridge and Grayson counties. KDFWR's bass assessment notes largemouth and spotted bass, and names hybrid striped bass, crappie and catfish as popular targets.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
15-inch minimum, 6 per angler
Smallmouth Bass
15-inch minimum, 6 per angler
Spotted Bass
KDFWR bass assessment
Crappie
10-inch minimum
Wiper
Hybrid striped bass; statewide regulations
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- State Park MarinaPublicPaved, trailerable boats, no fee, marina (Grayson Co.)Directions ↗
- Axtel RampPublicPaved, trailerable, fee, marina (Breckinridge Co.)Directions ↗
- Peter Cave RampPublicPaved, trailerable, fee, marina (Grayson Co.)Directions ↗
- Holiday Rough RampPublicPaved, trailerable, no fee (Grayson Co.)Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Rough River Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Rough River Lake ↗Local tips
- Crappie must be 10 inches; bass 15 inches.
- Hybrid striped bass are a popular target per KDFWR.
- KDFWR lists 19 access sites, many with no fee.
Taylorsville LakeSpencer and Anderson Counties · 3,014 acres
Taylorsville Lake
KDFWR lists Taylorsville Lake at 3,014 acres in Spencer and Anderson counties. It has special rules for bass, crappie, catfish and saugeye.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
15-inch minimum
Smallmouth Bass
15-inch minimum
Crappie
10-inch minimum, 15 per angler
Wiper
Hybrid striped bass; statewide regulations
White Bass
Statewide regulations
Channel Catfish
15 per angler (channel and blue combined)
Blue Catfish
No more than 1 over 25 inches
Saugeye
14-inch minimum, 6 per angler
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Possum Ridge (State Park Ramp)PublicPaved, any trailerable boat, no feeDirections ↗
- Settlers TracePublicPaved, any trailerable boat, no fee, marinaDirections ↗
- Chowning LanePublicPaved, any trailerable boat, no feeDirections ↗
- Van Buren RampPublicPaved, any trailerable boat, no fee (Anderson Co.)Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Taylorsville Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Taylorsville Lake ↗Local tips
- Saugeye must be 14 inches; crappie 10 inches.
- Catfish limit is 15 channel and blue combined, only 1 over 25 inches.
- All listed ramps are free.