Recreational Fishing

You’ll find an amazing diversity of fish in Kentucky. Here you’ll discover hard-fighting smallmouth bass (Kentucky is home to the world record smallmouth), striped bass, blue catfish, shellcrackers, muskellunge, crappie and more. In Kentucky, it’s possible to catch three species of trout then trailer your boat a short distance to tie into some largemouth bass, walleye and spotted bass. Start exploring all that Kentucky has to offer on this page, with links to lake, river and stream information that you need to have a great day on the water.

Rules and Regulations

• Fishing and Boating Guide
• Size and Creel Limits

New to Fishing?

• Start Here - Basic Fishing Booklet
• How to Fish
• Create Your Own Fishing Certificate

Where to Fish

• Search for Fishing and Boating Access Sites
• Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINS)
• Fishing Forecast and Tips
• Weekly Fishing Report
  
• Blue Water Trails
• Lakes with Fish Attractors
• Trout Streams
• Voluntary Public Access on Private Land (VPA-HIP)
• Seasonal Catch and Release Trout Streams
• Smallmouth Streams
• Lake Information

Know Your Fish

• Fish ID
• Fish ID Booklet
• Fish, Mussel, Aquatic Plant, and Aquatic Insect Identification 

Stocking

• 2018 Stocking Map
• 2019 Stocking Map
• 2020 Stocking Map
• Current Stocking Map

Trout Stocking

• Monthly Trout Stocking Schedule
• Seasonal Catch and Release Trout Streams

Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) Lakes

• Trout Stocking Schedule
• Catfish Stocking Schedule

Advisories and Safety

• Fish Consumption Advisories
• Blue Green Algae Information
• Fishing Safety Tips
• Fishing First Aid
• Fishing Safety Gear

Other Fishing Information

• Fall Fishing Festival​
• Spring Fishing Frenzy​
• Tournament Fishing 
• Trophy Fish Program
• State Record Fishes and Awards
• Sunrise/Sunset Reference
• Cumberland River Compact
• 2013 Trout Angler Survey Results
• Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee
• Fisheries Districts' Twitter Accounts

Popular Links

• Fishing and Boating Guide
  
• Tournament Fishing
  
• Fish Identification
  
• Trout Stocking Schedule
  
• Upcoming Fishing Events

Gear Up & Get Out

Spring Fishing Checkout List

Use this Equipment List to Help Plan and Prepare for Successful Spring Fishing in Kentucky!