Kentucky’s mountains and undulating terrain have spawned a wealth of
water: Here you’ll find more than 62,000 miles of fishable streams and
40 public lakes exceeding 100 acres. Look to our
Where to Fish page
where more than 850 public and private boat ramps offer you access to
prime fishing spots. If you don’t have a boat, bank access options
include the popular
Fishing in Neighborhoods program. This includes dozens of specially stocked small lakes near cities – perfect for a day of family fun.
To help keep fishing great, Kentucky stocks 7 million fish a year and
actively manages sport and commercial fish populations across the
state. Our fisheries management team is constantly working to monitor
and improve Kentucky's aquatic heritage.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) created
the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) program in 2006 to provide anglers
with quality fishing opportunities close to home. The program currently
includes 43 lakes statewide. The aim of the program is to create quality
fishing opportunities near cities of all sizes throughout the state.
Lakes are regularly stocked with catfish and rainbow trout throughout
the year. In addition to these lakes being stocked with catfish and
trout, the sunfish and bass populations are regularly sampled to ensure
natural reproduction is meeting the needs of anglers. Stocking of hybrid
sunfish and/or largemouth bass occur if needed.
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Bluegill, good forecast: Good size distribution and very good numbers; larger fish 7-8 inches. Upper lake areas and heads of coves hold best numbers during summer pool. Shallow mudflats in main lake areas can hold large congregations of fish on spawning beds.
Catfish, excellent forecast: High numbers of channel catfish with good recruitment of young fish each year. Some flathead catfish available up to 40-50 pounds. Tailwater provides additional good fishery.
Crappie, good forecast: July and August can provide some very good fishing over shallow mud flats adjacent to main lake channel. Try trolling bait tipped jigs or small crankbaits over the flats. Also, October-November during drawdown to winter pool can be very good in the same locations. Most of legal fish are 9-12 inches with occasional fish to 14 inches.
Largemouth bass, fair forecast: Excellent growth rates of young bass and fair numbers of 15- to 17-inch fish with good numbers for fish greater than 20 inches. Spring fishing success can be very good if high water events do not occur.
Muskellunge, fair forecast: Fishing can be difficult for periods following flood events. From January-March fish will congregate in the lower lake and near dam. Trace Branch area has good fishing in July and August. September will find many large fish on edges of weed beds in backs of coves in shallow water. Bank fishing opportunities are good at the tailwater in March and October.
White bass, poor forecast: Fish range primarily from 8-15 inches and numbers remain low. During late summer look for fish in heads of coves where creeks enter.
FINS Regulations
- Rainbow Trout
- Daily Limit: 5
Minimum Size Limit: None
- No culling* of trout
- Catfish
- Daily Limit: 4
Minimum Size Limit: None
- Largemouth Bass
- Daily Limit: 1
Minimum Size Limit: 15"
- Bluegill/Other Sunfish
- Daily Limit: 15
Minimum Size Limit: None
*Culling is holding a trout in a livewell, fish basket or stringer and later replacing it with another fish.
License Requirements
- Resident/Nonresident Youth ages 15 and younger do not need a
fishing license or trout permit. Residents/Nonresidents age 16 and older
must posses a statewide fishing license.
- Resident Seniors age 65 and older are not required to purchase a
trout permit to keep trout if in possession of the Resident Senior
License.
- Resident/Nonresident Fishing License holders must purchase a Trout
Permit to posses Rainbow Trout. Resident/Nonresident Fishing License
holders can fish for Rainbow Trout, but can not be in possession of
trout.
- Any angler can fish without a fishing license on the Free Fishing
Days that take place the first weekend in June (June 3-4, 2017).
- For more information on Fishing License Requirements and Exemptions, follow the link to the Fishing and Boating Guide.
- Call 1-800-25-Alert to report Fish and Wildlife violations.
All information taken from KDFWR's WEBSITE.