Kentucky Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ 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.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 6 (12 possession) | Min 12 in |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 (12 possession) | Min 12 in |
| Kentucky (spotted) bass & Coosa bass | 6 (12 possession) | No minimum |
| Rock bass | 15 (30 possession) | |
| Redear sunfish | 20 (40 possession) | |
| Walleye, sauger & hybrids | 6 (12 possession) | Min 14 in |
| Muskellunge | 1 (2 possession) | Min 30 in |
| Chain pickerel | 5 (10 possession) | No minimum |
| White & hybrid striped bass | 15 (30 possession) | Max 5 over 15 in |
| Striped bass | 5 (10 possession) | Min 15 in |
| Crappie (black & white) | 20 (40 possession) | No minimum |
| Paddlefish | 2 (4 possession) | |
| Rainbow trout | 8 (16 possession) | |
| Brown trout | 1 (2 possession) | Min 16 in |
| Cutthroat trout | 1 (2 possession) | Min 20 in |
| Brook trout | Catch and release only | |
| Channel catfish 28 in+ | 1 (2 possession) | Min 28 in; no limit under 28 in |
| Blue & flathead catfish 35 in+ | 1 each (2 each) | Min 35 in; no limit under 35 in |
| Yellow bass | No limit |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Laurel River Lake
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit (arms of the lake).
Nolin River Lake
- Crappie: minimum size limit applies (see guide); no size limit change statewide.
Rough River Lake
- Crappie: minimum size limit applies (see guide).
Green River Lake
- Crappie: 10 in minimum.
Hatchery Creek
- Lake Sturgeon: catch and release only.
Cave Run Lake
- Muskellunge: 36 in minimum, 1/day; trophy muskie management.
Barren River Lake
- Channel/blue catfish: 15-fish daily aggregate, only 1 over 25 in; walleye 18 in minimum in upper arms.
Cumberland River (below Lake Cumberland)
- Rainbow trout: daily limit 8 (no minimum).
Lake Cumberland
- Walleye: 18 in minimum in upper arms; rainbow trout below dam 8/day.
Dale Hollow Lake
- Smallmouth bass: 16 in minimum; trophy smallmouth water.
Carr Creek Lake
- Channel/blue catfish: 15-fish daily aggregate, only 1 over 25 in.
Dewey Lake
- Channel/blue catfish: 15-fish daily aggregate, only 1 over 25 in.
Fishtrap Lake
- Channel/blue catfish: 15-fish daily aggregate, only 1 over 25 in.
Taylorsville Lake
- Channel/blue catfish: 15-fish daily aggregate, only 1 over 25 in.
Yatesville Lake
- Channel/blue catfish: 15-fish daily aggregate, only 1 over 25 in.
Herrington Lake
- Striped bass: 15 in minimum, 5/day; no live bait in parts.
Kentucky Lake
- Black bass: 15 in minimum (largemouth/smallmouth); crappie 10 in minimum.
Lake Barkley
- Black bass: 15 in minimum; crappie 10 in minimum.
Seasons
Most species open year-round; paddlefish and trout have specific seasons.
Licence Fees
Kentucky fishing license required (resident/non-resident); trout permit for trout waters; fees per KDFWR.
Edition: 2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (KDFWR) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources (fw.ky.gov)
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