An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Kentucky Afield Outdoors is a monthly column written for outdoors enthusiasts. Click the articles below to learn more about more exciting opportunities to Get out and enjoy the Great Outdoors!
Looking for more fishing columns? Check out Spring Fishing Frenzy or our Fall Fishing Festival series.
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Lee McClellanFrankfort, KY
Every spring, anglers pursuing crappie during April’s spawn flock to large reservoirs such as Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Barren River Lake or even Green River Lake. However, crappie fishing in the big lakes is tough if you don’t have a good-sized power boat.
The good news is Kentucky offers several smaller state-owned lakes with excellent crappie fishing. These lakes, some of which are under 100 acres, can easily be fished from a kayak, johnboat or even from the bank.
Ciara KniselyFrankfort, KY
Spring is coming, and we’re all picturing it: trekking under budding trees, brushing past blooming daffodils, eyes and ears on hyperalert through the morning fog. The gear on your back becomes weightless and you forget about the predawn chill, or maybe even welcome it.
After all, hunting is a sensory experience, and spring turkey season is a perfect call to the field. When you hear a gobble in the distance for the first time, you finally understand what the hype is all about.
Lee McClellan • February 12, 2024
Catch your trophy in February
Not long ago, wind chills bottomed out at 15 degrees below zero. After this arctic wave passed, Kentuckians endured monsoon rains that prompted rivers and streams to jump up quickly and run high for weeks.
winter story
Lee McClellan • December 26, 2023
Fly fishing the Cumberland tailwater
While winter slows down most fishing in Kentucky, trout angling remains hot in the tailwater below Lake Cumberland’s Wolf Creek Dam.
Ciara Knisely • November 29, 2023
Gifts for the Outdoor Enthusiast
No matter what your age or circumstance, no one can deny that receiving a thoughtful gift from a friend or loved one leaves us with a warm feeling. If you’re stumped about what to give the outdoors enthusiast in your life for Christmas, however, here are some gift suggestions to consider.
fall story
Lee McClellan • November 9, 2023
Give Thanks For Waterfowl Seasons
Variability in weather patterns is a good predictor of success for the upcoming waterfowl seasons that open on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23.
fall story
Ciara Knisely • October 26, 2023
Fall Hunting Opportunities Abound
As the weather transitions into cooler temperatures, fall is a beautiful time to spend outdoors. Many people take advantage of the season by heading afield with bows, muzzleloaders, shotguns and rifles. Many are seeking the white-tailed deer that put Kentucky on the hunting map.
Ciara Knisely • September 01, 2023
Kentucky's DeerSeason Starts
Archery season for deer opens Sept. 2, the official launch of Kentucky’s 2023-24 season. The state is home to a bountiful herd of white-tailed deer, offering many enjoyable hunting opportunities and providing a sustainable source of healthy meat for the table.
Ciara Knisely • August 14, 2023
Dove SeasonTakes Flight
On the first of September each year, thousands of hunters flock to Kentucky’s fields with shotguns slung over their shoulders. Despite the particularly heavy summer heat we’ve trudged through, this year will be no different.
summer story
Lee McClellan • August 07, 2023
Lake CumberlandStriped Bass Update
For farmers, crops do well when the rain falls at just the right time. In other years, when there’s too much or too little rain, not so much.
summer story
Lee McClellan • July 10, 2023
Kayak FishingTips For Summer
The meat of the summer heat is here and will remain until late September. For many paddlers, the first days of summer mean the start of kayak fishing season and time to get their boats wet for the first time in months.