BARK CAMP CREEK
Whitley County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
BARKLEY, KENTUCKY LAKES
(and their connecting canal)
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 20 fish daily creel limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
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Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit.
BARKLEY TAILWATER – See Cumberland River
BARREN RIVER upstream of Barren River Lake; downstream of the lake to Lock and Dam 1 and all tributaries
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
BARREN RIVER LAKE
The boundaries of Barren River Lake are from the dam upstream to the Hwy. 100 bridge, Long Creek to the Hwy. 100 bridge, Beaver Creek to the Hwy. 1297 bridge, Skaggs Creek to the Matthews Mill Road bridge and Peter Creek to the Peter Creek Road bridge.
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Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 25 inches.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit except 1 fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
BEAVER CREEK
Wayne County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 in the section of Beaver Creek from the Hwy. 90 bridge upstream to the Hwy. 200 bridge must be immediately released. Only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
BEAVER LAKE
Anderson County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit
BEECH FORK RESERVOIR
Powell County
- Bluegill: 15-fish daily creel limit.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
BERT COMBS LAKE
Clay County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
BIG BONE CREEK
Boone County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
BOLTZ LAKE
Grant County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
BRIGGS LAKE
Logan County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
BUCKHORN LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit
BULLOCK PEN LAKE
Grant and Boone counties
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
CANE CREEK
Laurel County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
CARNICO LAKE
Nicholas County
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
CARPENTER LAKE
Daviess County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
CARR CREEK LAKE
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit
CARTER CAVES STATE PARK LAKE
(also called Smokey Valley Lake)
Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released; 6 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 15 inches.
CASEY CREEK
Trigg County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
CAVE RUN LAKE
Gigging and snagging prohibited in the main lake and all tributaries up to the first riffle. The location of the first riffle may change depending on water levels.
- Largemouth Bass: 13 to 16-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass between 13 and 16 inches in length must be released immediately.
- Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit.
- Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit.
CEDAR CREEK LAKE
Lincoln County
- Largemouth Bass: 20-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
CHIMNEY TOP CREEK
Wolfe County
A 16-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish daily creel limit for brown trout and only artificial baits may be used.
CLEAR CREEK
Bell County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used during this period.
CORINTH LAKE
Grant County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
CUMBERLAND GAP NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
(301 KAR 1:035) Special fishing regulations are in effect on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. For complete fishing information on this area contact: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, P.O. Box 1848, Middlesboro, KY 40965, phone (606) 248-2817.
CUMBERLAND RIVER upstream from Cumberland Falls and all tributaries:
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
CUMBERLAND RIVER from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee state line
All licensed anglers must possess a trout permit on this portion of Cumberland River. This includes Hatchery Creek and all tributaries up to the first riffle.
Anglers may not attract or chum trout with bait, corn or other attractants designed to draw numbers of trout to a specific area. This includes all tributaries up to the first riffle and in Hatchery Creek. For new regulations on Hatchery Creek, refer to the Hatchery Creek section.
- Brown Trout: 20-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit, also applies to all tributary streams, except Hatchery Creek.
- Rainbow Trout: 15 to 20-inch protective slot limit. All trout caught between 15 and 20 inches in length must be immediately released. Five fish daily limit, only one rainbow trout may be longer than 20 inches. Also applies to all tributary streams, except Hatchery Creek.
- Brook Trout: 1 fish daily creel limit with a 15-inch minimum size limit. Also applies to all tributary streams, except Hatchery Creek.
CUMBERLAND RIVER from Lake Barkley Dam downstream to confluence with Ohio River
Gigging and snagging only permitted downstream of U.S. 62 bridge with a daily creel limit of 8 fish. Harvesting of sportfish by gigging or snagging is prohibited. All snagged or gigged rough fish including paddlefish, with the exception of shad, herring or Asian carp, shall be taken into possession and not be culled. Snagged or gigged fish must not be disposed of on the bank. Disposing of fish on the bank is littering and subject to a fine. Snagged paddlefish or their roe cannot be sold.
- Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit.
DALE HOLLOW LAKE
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 15 fish daily creel limit.
- Black Bass creel: includes largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky (spotted) bass - 5 fish daily creel limit on black bass singly or combined, only two of which may be smallmouth bass.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Smallmouth Bass: 16 to 21-inch protective slot limit. One fish over 21 inches and one fish under 16 inches may be kept daily.
- Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit, 10 fish daily creel limit.
- Rainbow and Brown Trout: 7-fish aggregate daily creel limit.
- Walleye: 16-inch minimum size limit, 5 fish daily creel limit.
DEWEY LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 15 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 25 inches.
- Musekellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit.
DIX RIVER from Herrington Lake Dam downstream for two miles
Fishing with artificial lures or flies only.
DOE RUN LAKE
Kenton County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: Four fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.
DOG FORK
Wolfe County
Only artificial baits with a single hook shall be used. Brook Trout must be immediately released.
EAST FORK INDIAN CREEK
Menifee County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial bait shall be used during this period.
ELKHORN CREEK in Franklin County from confluence of North and South forks downstream to Kentucky River:
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12 to 16-inch protective slot limit. Largemouth and smallmouth bass caught between 12 and 16 inches in length must be immediately released. Daily limit of 6 may include no more than 2 fish longer than 16 inches.
- For regulatory purposes, the boundary of Elkhorn Creek is a permanent marker just below the first riffle upstream from its confluence with the Kentucky River.
ELK SPRING CREEK
Wayne County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
ELMER DAVIS LAKE
Owen County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches in length must be released immediately.
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
FAGAN BRANCH LAKE (also called Lebanon City Lake)
Marion County
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth and smallmouth bass between 12 and 15 inches in length must be released immediately.
FISHTRAP LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 15 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish in the daily creel limit may be longer than 25 inches.
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
FLOYD'S FORK from U.S. 60 bridge downstream to U.S. 150 bridge
Jefferson County
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit.
- Rainbow Trout: All trout caught from Oct. 1 through Mar. 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
GENERAL BUTLER STATE PARK LAKE
Carroll County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.
GOLDEN POND (Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area)
- Channel Catfish: 15-inch minimum size limit, 5 fish daily creel limit.
GRAYSON LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
GREENBO LAKE
Greenup County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Bluegill and other Sunfish: 15 fish daily creel limit.
- Areas marked by signage and buoys near the Jesse Stuart Lodge are periodically closed to fishing.
GREEN RIVER LAKE
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit.
GUIST CREEK LAKE
Shelby County
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
HATCHERY CREEK
Russell County
Anglers must possess a trout permit to fish Hatchery Creek.
- Brook, Rainbow and Brown Trout:
Upper section: As designated by signs, 5 trout aggregate daily creel limit.
Lower section: Catch and release only and only artificial baits may be used. The lower boundary of Hatchery Creek is delineated as a straight line between opposite points where Hatchery Creek meets the main stem of the Cumberland River.
KENTUCKY, BARKLEY LAKES (and their connecting canal)
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 20 fish daily creel limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit.
KENTUCKY LAKE TAILWATER – see Tennessee River
KENTUCKY RIVER, upstream of Lock and Dam 14, the North Fork downstream of Carr Creek Lake along with the Middle and South Forks and all tributaries
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit, an 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
KENTUCKY RIVER WMA BOONE TRACT, Henry County
Benjy Kinman Lake:
- Largemouth Bass: Now under statewide regulations.
- Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit
- Idle speed only.
All other ponds:
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit; 1 fish daily creel limit
- Bluegill and Other Sunfish: 15 fish daily creel limit
- Crappie: 15 fish daily creel limit
- Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit
- Trolling motor only.
KINCAID LAKE
Pendleton County
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit
LAKE BESHEAR
Caldwell County
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit
LAKE BLYTHE
Christian County
- Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released.
LAKE CHUMLEY
Lincoln County
Fishing during daylight hours only.
LAKE CUMBERLAND
The boundaries of Lake Cumberland are defined as Cumberland Falls on the Cumberland River, Devils Jump on the Big South Fork, the Narrows of Rockcastle River and Laurel River Lake Dam on Laurel River.
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit.
- Lake Sturgeon: Catch and release only.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit.
- Striped Bass: 22-inch minimum size limit, 2 fish daily creel limit
LAKE JERICHO
Henry County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
LAKE MALONE
- Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released.
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
LAKE REBA
Madison County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Now under statewide regulations.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
LAKE SHELBY
Shelby County
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
(301 KAR 1:031) Special fishing regulations are in effect for ponds and small lakes within Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. For complete fishing information on this area, anglers should contact: Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond, KY 42231, phone (270) 924-2000.
LAUREL RIVER LAKE
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit, 2 fish daily creel limit.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit, 15 fish daily limit.
LEARY LAKE
Grant County
Fishing during daylight hours only.
LEBANON CITY LAKE - see Fagan Branch Lake
LEFT FORK, BEAVER CREEK
Floyd County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
LEVISA FORK OF BIG SANDY RIVER above Fishtrap Lake and all tributaries
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
LINCOLN HOMESTEAD STATE PARK LAKE
Washington County
Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit.
MARION COUNTY LAKE
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
MARTIN'S FORK LAKE and all tributaries
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
McNEELY LAKE
Jefferson County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
MIDDLE FORK, RED RIVER
Powell County
Within the Natural Bridge State Park, all trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
MILL CREEK LAKE
Powell and Wolfe counties
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit; 3 fish daily creel limit.
NEW HAVEN OPTIMIST LAKE
Nelson County
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.
NOLIN RIVER LAKE
Lake upper boundary extended to the Wheelers Mill Road bridge in the Nolin River arm and to the Hwy. 728 bridge in the Bacon Creek arm.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch size limit, except 1 fish in the daily limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.
OHIO RIVER – see also, “Bordering Waters”
- Walleye, Sauger and their Hybrids: 14-inch minimum size limit, 6 fish daily creel limit.
- White Bass, Striped Bass and their Hybrids: 30 fish daily limit, only 4 fish in the daily limit may be 15 inches or longer.
- Blue, Channel and Flathead Catfish: Anglers may keep one blue or flathead catfish 35 inches or longer and one channel catfish 28 inches or longer daily. No daily creel limit for catfish under those limits.
OTTER CREEK
Meade County
-
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12- to 16 inch protective slot limit. All largemouth and smallmouth bass caught between 12 and 16 inches in length must be immediately released; 6 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 16 inches.
All trout caught in Fort Knox Military Reservation and in Otter Creek Park from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. There is a one-mile stretch of Otter Creek as posted by signs in Fort Knox Military Reservation where trout fishing is open to statewide regulations. Fort Knox Military Reservation requires the purchase of a $10 permit to fish and is closed to fishing on Tuesdays. Anglers must check-in with the Fort Knox Hunt Control Office at (502) 624-2712 before each day’s fishing.
PAINT CREEK
Johnson County
16-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish daily creel limit on trout from the KY 40 bridge downstream to the first U.S. 460 bridge crossing and only artificial baits shall be used.
PAINTSVILLE LAKE
- Largemouth Bass: Now under statewide regulations.
- Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit.
PARCHED CORN CREEK
Wolfe County
Only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook Trout must be immediately released.
PEABODY WMA LAKES
In addition to a fishing license, a $15.00 user permit is required of persons age 16 and over while on Peabody WMA. Permits can be purchased where fishing licenses are sold. Fishing open Mar. 16 - Oct. 14 on Goose, Island and South Lake, all other lakes open year-round.
PENNYRILE LAKE
Christian County
- Largemouth Bass: Now under statewide regulations.
PIKEVILLE CITY LAKE
Pike County
- Largemouth Bass: All largemouth bass caught must be immediately released.
POOR FORK and its tributaries
Letcher County
Downstream to the first crossing of Hwy. 932, only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook Trout must be immediately released.
REFORMATORY LAKE
Oldham County
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
ROCK CREEK
McCreary County
From Bell Farm Bridge upstream to Tennessee state line, all trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
ROCKCASTLE RIVER WMA
Pulaski County
All Ponds Collectively:
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit.
- Bluegill and Sunfish: 10-fish daily creel limit
- Catfish: 4-fish daily creel limit.
- Crappie: 15-fish daily creel limit.
ROUGH RIVER LAKE
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit except 1 fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.
SHANTY HOLLOW LAKE
Warren County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit.
SHILLALAH CREEK
Bell County
Outside the Cumberland Gap National Park as posted, only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook Trout must be immediately released.
Q: Is fishing allowed around a dock or a marina?
A: It depends. Public marinas on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lakes have contractual agreements that address lease space on public waters. The Corps presently allows the marina owners or operators to post signs that prohibit fishing within 150 feet of their floating structures. These agreements do not prohibit a person from fishing in their boat rental slip. This policy does not apply to privately owned boat docks on Corps lakes.
SPORTSMAN’S LAKES
Franklin County
Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. See FINs lakes for daily creel and minimum size limit.
SPURLINGTON LAKE
Taylor County
Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited
SWIFT CAMP CREEK
Clifty Wilderness, Wolfe County
All trout caught from October 1 through May 31 shall be released immediately and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
SYMPSON LAKE
Nelson County
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
TAYLORSVILLE LAKE
Lake upper boundary is Dry Dock Road on Salt River.
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 15 fish daily creel limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish daily creel limit. 1 fish of the daily creel limit may be longer than 25 inches.
TENNESSEE RIVER from Kentucky Lake Dam downstream to confluence with Ohio River
The area from Kentucky Dam to the new U.S. 62 bridge will be open to snagging 24 hours per day from January 1 through May 31. From June 1 through December 31, the area is open to snagging from sunset to sunrise. The area of the Tennessee River from the new U.S. 62 bridge to the I-24 bridge is closed to snagging year round. The area from the I-24 bridge to the confluence with the Ohio River is open to snagging year round. There is now a daily creel limit of 8 fish in aggregate and shall not exceed the daily creel limit for any sport fish in which the creel limit is under 8 fish per day. Snagging must cease if any sport fish daily creel limit is attained. All fish snagged including paddlefish, except shad, herring or Asian carp, must be taken into possession and not culled. Snagged fish must not be disposed on the bank. This action is littering and subject to a fine. Snagged paddlefish or their roe cannot be sold. Gigging is prohibited in the Tennessee River below Kentucky Dam. See the Gigging and Snagging section for more information.
- Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit.
TRAMMEL CREEK
Allen County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
- Brown Trout: 16-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit.
- Rainbow Trout: 5 fish daily creel limit.
WILLISBURG PARK POND
Washington County
- Channel Catfish: 4-fish daily creellimit, no minimum size limit.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit.
- Sunfish: 15-fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.
WOOD CREEK LAKE
Laurel County
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
YATESVILLE LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit