Kentucky has 45 major lakes — over 100 man-made reservoirs and only 3 natural lakes. From massive Kentucky Lake and Lake Cumberland to the mountain lakes of the east, the Bluegrass State offers world-class bass, crappie, and muskie fishing.
Fishing Regulations
- Fish not listed are rough fish - no size or creel limits unless special regulations apply.
- Possession limit is 2x the daily creel limit.
- Anglers may cull fish of a species until reaching the daily creel limit (except trout on Cumberland River).
- Some waterbodies have different limits - check the Special Regulations section.
- Lake sturgeon, alligator gar: catch and release only.
19 species limits are shown per spot in the CatchTales app.
Pick a region below to explore its fishing spots.
Central Kentucky & Bluegrass Region
Herrington Lake Inlet, Taylorsville Lake, Elkhorn Creek, Cave Run Lake
40 spots
Eastern Kentucky & Mountains Region
Laurel River Lake Inlet, Paintsville Lake, Buckhorn Lake, Dewey Lake
40 spots
Northern Kentucky & Ohio River Region
Ohio River Inlet, Licking River, Markland Dam, Boltz Lake
40 spots
South-Central Kentucky Region
Lake Cumberland Inlet, Dale Hollow Lake, Green River Lake, Barren River Lake
40 spots
Western Kentucky & LBL Region
Kentucky Lake Inlet, Lake Barkley, Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky Lake
40 spots
Get CatchTales
Ready to start bragging? Download the app and hit the water.