Best Fishing Lakes In Kentucky

Guide to top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in KY.

Cave Run Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, Green River Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland and Taylorsville Lake are the most popular places for fishing in Kentucky, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, and the species found in each lake. The Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes.

Bass Lakes
Catfish Lakes
Crappie Lakes
Sunfish & Perch Lakes
Walleye Lakes
Trout Lakes
Striped Bass Lakes

Kentucky boasts a wide array of fishing lakes that cater to different preferences and species, offering anglers diverse fishing opportunities throughout the state. From warm water lakes to cold water lakes, Kentucky has something for every fishing enthusiast.

Warm water lakes in Kentucky are abundant and provide excellent fishing opportunities for species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, and various sunfish species. Lakes like Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and Lake Cumberland are popular warm water destinations. These lakes offer vast expanses of water, providing anglers with ample opportunities to target trophy-sized bass, enjoy productive crappie fishing, or land impressive catfish. Additionally, sunfish species such as bluegill and redear sunfish thrive in these lakes, offering anglers of all ages a chance to experience exciting and accessible fishing.

Kentucky is also home to a number of cold water lakes that provide excellent fishing for trout and other cold-water species. Laurel River Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, and Lake Cumberland are known for their trout fisheries. These lakes are regularly stocked with rainbow trout and sometimes brown trout, offering anglers the chance to catch these prized game fish. The colder months of the year, particularly in spring and fall, are the best times to target trout in these cold water lakes.

In addition to warm water and cold water lakes, Kentucky is famous for its reservoirs and rivers that provide diverse fishing opportunities. The Ohio River, Green River, Cumberland River, and many others are home to a variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, crappie, and more. These waterways offer a combination of warm water and cold water fisheries, giving anglers a chance to pursue their favorite species throughout the year.

Whether you prefer the excitement of fishing in warm water lakes for bass and catfish or enjoy the serenity of trout fishing in cold water lakes, Kentucky's fishing lakes provide a wealth of options. Anglers can immerse themselves in the state's natural beauty while pursuing their favorite fish species. So grab your fishing gear, explore the lakes of Kentucky, and get ready for an exciting and rewarding fishing experience in the Bluegrass State.

Dale Hollow Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Taylorsville Lake and Yatesville Lake are the most popular for bluegill, bream, perch and other sunfish. More...

Walleye Fishing Lakes

Walleye
Walleye

Sauger
Sauger

Saugeye
Saugeye

Dale Hollow Lake, Green River Lake, Guist Creek Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Laurel River Lake and Martins Fork Lake are considered the top locations for walleye fishing. More...

Trout Fishing Lakes

Rainbow trout

Brook trout

Brown trout

Lake trout

Dale Hollow Lake, Laurel River Lake, Kentucky Lake, Paintsville Lake and Wood Creek Lake are the favorite options for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, brown and lake trout. More...

Striped Bass Fishing Lakes

Striped Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass

Barren River Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, Dewey Lake, Fishtrap Lake, Guist Creek Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Lake Linville, Paintsville Lake, Rough River Lake and Taylorsville Lake are the best options for striped bass and hybrid striped bass. More...

Visit the Kentucky fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Kentucky map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations.