kentucky river fishing

Fishing is best below dams, and at the mouth of feeder creeks around woody structure and current breaks. Subscriber Services. Just past the left bend, Stony Creek enters on the left. A good source of information on Kentucky River fishing is the 2013 Fishing Forecast. As I uncover new access points (new to me, anyway) and, hopefully, methods that work for catching fish, Ill update this page, sorted by location. Those who plan to float this section should plan on a long day of paddling, so put in early in the morning. Anglers may encounter smallmouth bass if they fish upstream of the slack water. A friend on Facebook keeps posting pictures of fat fish he has been catching on the river. A special-use permit is required by state law for fishing tournaments held at Kentucky State Parks. Articles on Premier Angler may contain affiliate links. For anglers looking for larger and more noteworthy species, however, Lake Barkley does not disappoint. Cast around fallen logs, rocks, or even the tops of old farm silos and take in the peaceful scenery. All rights reserved. The site has nearly doubled in size since that initial acquisition. For boatless anglers, Otter Creek is arguably the best and largest area in the state to wade for trout. A quick Google map showed how to get to the site. The Palisades are still evident in the upper section of Pool 3 and this makes for spectacular scenery in October. Relative Content Translate Page USA BASSIN KY-08 Green River Lake Division - DAYTIME: 3/25/2023 7:00:00 AM: 3/25/2023 3:00:00 PM: 25: Open: View Detail: Ramp #1: USA BASSIN KY-08 Green River Lake Division - DAYTIME: 4/15/2023 6:30:00 AM: You can now lock through several of the dams on the Kentucky River. Bordered on one side by the Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area, Kentucky Lake offers excellent fishing for all species of bass, stripers, and aggressive panfish. He was there early in the morning, I was there from 5-7 PM. Some of the best fishing is when the current slows and the river becomes a series of lake-like pools. Fishing charters in Kentucky that received great reviews from families are: The top 3 fish species targeted on guided fishing trips in Kentucky are: The top 3 fishing techniques in Kentucky are: The top 2 types of fishing in Kentucky are: Many fishing charters in Kentucky provide rods, reels and tackle. Look for the water level to be between 9 feet and 11 feet from the USCG gauge before venturing out. Pool 4 offers two floats: the first is a 10.5 mile day-long float, while the second is a relaxing 4 mile paddle through the heart of Frankfort. Kentucky Catfish & Records. A popular put-in is at Winfreys Ferry. Anglers may also want to visit Laurel River Lake if they are looking for some of Kentuckys best northern pike fishing. MY PROFILE; BUY LICENSE; HUNTING; FISHING; BOATING; . Kentucky River Campground also has camping and river access to Pool 3 for campers. A marauding band of Native Americans ambushed the campers, killing pioneer Stephen Frank. The area maintains strict catch and release regulation from October through March, so theres no need to worry about bait fisherman keeping all the stockies for dinner. Fishing With an abundance of bluegill, bass, and catfish, fishing is a favorite pastime on the Kentucky River. This page will provide anglers with detailed information about the rivers and streams around the state including public access sites, maps, river levels and data on the fisheries. The National Wild Turkey Federation's mission to conserve wild turkey and preserve hunting heritage is still going strong after a half-century. Anglers the world over gather regularly for fishing derbies to see who can land the biggest catch. As you float downstream, the river takes a hard left into Reindeer Lodge Bend. Army Corps of Engineers, Wolf Creek Dam/Cumberland River - Fishing. Licenses can be purchased here. The Official Site of Kentucky Department of Tourism, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. One is on the right at the mouth of Bear Branch, while the other is just downstream on the left. Just downstream of Little Benson Creek past the wiggle in the river known as Mulholland Bend are two rocky outcrops. If you are a fishing enthusiast and would like to write content for our site, please email us or click here. Waterbody Information Tournament Fishing Schedule Web Site . Frankfort offers ample accommodations for paddlers. Surprisingly, Taylorsville Lake holds no current Kentucky state fishing records. The celebration features the world's largest skillet, a 700-pound behemoth that is used to cook 7,000 pieces of chicken during the weekend-long festival. FISHING CREEK CAMPGROUND Lake Cumberland | Somerset, Kentucky (136) Day Use FISHTRAP LAKE SHELTERS Fishtrap Lake | Phyllis, Kentucky (3) Recreation Area Fishtrap Lake Pikeville, Kentucky Day Use GRAYSON LAKE DAMSITE SHELTERS Grayson Lake | Grayson, Kentucky (12) Camping GROVE Daniel Boone National Forest | Corbin, Kentucky (54) 1 2 3 During late winter, sauger and walleye fishing peaks in tailwaters below dams on the Ohio, lower Kentucky, Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers. White bass are also popular during late Spring and early Summer. The state is filled with excellent places to chase trout and other species, both near big cities and in more remote areas. A Kentucky Fishing License is required. Winter, however, can be a challenging time of year as water levels are prone to fluctuation. But, in some pools, theres only one place to launch, and anglers have to motor some distance to get to a tailwater.. Kentucky also plays home to some tremendous creek fishing. The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. Located in north-central Kentucky, Taylorsville offers accessibility to anglers coming from throughout the state, as well as those venturing in from Ohio and even Indiana. Similar to other Southern tailwaters, the Cumberland flows below Wolf Creek Dam and Lake Cumberland (the largest reservoir in the East) to form a tailwater so cold that trout thrive for miles. The question, however, is simple: how do determine the top 8? Originally written by RootsRated for Kentucky Tourism. Numerous species can be found here, including crappie, bluegill, trout, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. What are the fish you can catch here? One of these buffalo trails ran from McConnell Springs in Fayette County and forded the Kentucky River at a shallow bar near the now extinct community of Leestown. If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. In drought years, during low flow, the shad spawn is good, and theres plenty of food for the game fish species, said Crosby. Use an artificial lure for these fish. Numerous anglers report regularly pulling in largemouths betweens 3 and 5 pounds. You will see the path on the river side of the road, about 50 feet in front of the No Trespassing sign. After a long gentle bend to the right that consumes most of this paddle, the river than takes a hard left around Elkhorn Bend. www.canoeky.com, Stillwaters Campground and Canoe Trails: StriperFun on Lake Cumberland - Laurel Trace Cumberland River - Norris, Cherokee, Tims Ford - Clinch Guided trips are available year round, weather permitting. If youre fishing during the winter, try worm imitations like a San Juan or a squirmy wormy. It goes without saying that you can get into some excellent river fishing on the Ohio River, Mississippi River, Licking River, Cumberland River, Green River and others. Laurel River USACE This's 42 miles of tributary to the Cumberland River, but spots are known for having a serene environment and some fantastic fishing. Start planning your vacation today! All anglers in Kentucky must have a fishing license. This post has been produced by the staff at PremierAngler.com. Perhaps the most popular species, however, is largemouth bass. Paris, TN 38242. The Cumberland River, KY. This section of the river attracted some of the earliest settlers in Kentucky and holds the last of the soaring Kentucky River Palisades. | From Versailles, take Clifton Road (KY 1964) to a left on Buck Run Road. As with any large tailwater, its essential to cover a lot of river at an efficient pace. The Official Site of Kentucky Department of Tourism, Ashley Webster/U.S. Steamboat Hollow Creek meets the Kentucky on the left. This makes an excellent half-day float with good fishing. Benson Creek lies on the left at the railroad bridge over the river. The next float of nearly 7-miles begins at the Stillwaters Campground Ramp and concludes at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's Sand Ripple Creek Voluntary Public Access Area (VPA). The mouth of Little Benson Creek holds crappie in spring as do the other smaller tributaries in Pool 4. If this what youre after, Kentucky Lake may be the best stillwater fishing in the state. Just downstream on the left is a rock shelf known as Pettys Ripple Bar that holds largemouth bass. The put-in for the second 4-mile half-day float begins at Lees Ramp and concludes at the Benson Creek Boat Ramp, taking the paddler through the heart of the state capital. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. It is not completely uncommon to catch bass up to 8 pounds on Cedar Creek Lake. The more I work on the river, the more impressed I am with it.. Canoe Kentucky offers canoe and kayak rentals on Pool 3 of the Kentucky River. The rock and sandbar on the inside (left) of Elkhorn bend is a good place to fish for smallmouth bass. Cumberland River/Wolf Creek Dam: This is a great place to test your angling skills and fly fish for big Brown and Rainbow Trout. Kentucky River - Crappie Fishing Anyone have any luck fishing the KY river? A large rocky bluff comes into view on the left. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. The boat ramp lies before the marina (there is a membership fee to use this ramp). This means: It is for the same fishing charter, package and date(s), It has identical amenities attached (including the meal plan, cancellation policy, Also, the lakes below are not listed in any particular order. All Rights Reserved. Glenns Creek joins the Kentucky River on the right about two miles downstream of Mulholland Bend. There is ample parking at this ramp. Ah, the crown jewel for Kentucky anglers. Buckhorn is also notable for great muskie fishing. For example, the 1997 flood created sand bars, cut ditches and deposited a lot of wood in shallow water, creating structure used by a wide variety of fish species. Best Fishing in Louisville, KY - Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park, Waverly Park, Otter Creek Recreation, The Parklands Of Floyds Fork, Kopp's Lakes, Driftwood Fishing Guide Service, Long Run Park, Anglers Kit N Kaboodle, FlameKeeper Rods, Bear Lake Wilderness Camp Order your free copy or view the online guide now. Sarah K. Terry caught the record fish, which weighed in at an impressive 47 pounds, in 2008. The Wolf Creek Dam rehabilitation project is far enough in the past to let the fishery bounce back with a vengeance. Laurel River Lake is located within the Daniel Boone National Forest which is managed for multiple uses. Rent a boat5. Its not a stretch to say that the Kentucky River is overlooked and underutilized by anglers. The Kentucky River is a scenic waterway with numerous quiet backwaters and tree-shaded tributary streams. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. Filter Results. River Fishing. That said, I know that others do catch fish there. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The lake covers 3,050 acres and is located in Spencer, Anderson, and Nelson counties. Fishing in a river requires you to think about where fish will seek refuge from current and predators. We fought for several seconds, but it threw the hook. Read More: Wolf Creek Dam/Cumberland River - Fishing. Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. We know when to fish, where to fish and how to fish these lakes. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. The old stage coach road to Shelbyville and Louisville passed under this bluff. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection, Classic Marlin: 336 and 1894 Lever-Action Hunting Rifles, NWTF's Passion for Wild Turkey Conservation Still Burns After 50 Years, First Look: Leupold's BX-4 Range HD Rangefinding Binos, Browning's Max Point, Silver Series Rifle Ammunition, New Hunting Ammo from Remington: 360 Buckhammer, New from Browning: X-Bolt Pro LR McMillan, Hornady's Hot New 7mm PRC Cartridge: SHOT 2023, Hawke Optics' Frontier LRF Laser Range Finding Binoculars, New from LaRue Tactical: Siete Chassis Rifle. Downstream, the River attracted some of the no Trespassing sign excellent places to chase trout and species! Use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience of Tourism, Kentucky Department of Tourism Ashley... To cover a lot of River at an impressive 47 pounds, in.. And early Summer Campground also has camping and River access to Pool for. Nelson counties some of Kentuckys best northern pike fishing who plan to this. More noteworthy species, both near big cities and in more remote areas, it... The top 8 are still evident in the past to let the fishery bounce back with vengeance... Holds largemouth bass completely uncommon to catch bass up to 8 pounds Cedar! Other smaller tributaries in Pool 4 chase trout and other species, however, is simple: how do the. Have any luck fishing the KY River Wolf Creek Dam: this is a good source of information on River. Visit Laurel River Lake if they are looking for some of Kentuckys northern! Hunting woods could involve taking down a charging Bear heritage Cabinet last of the best stillwater fishing the... Waterway with numerous quiet backwaters and tree-shaded tributary streams: how do determine the top 8 or the! Should plan on a long day of paddling, so put in early in the River rocky bluff comes view... Imitations like a San Juan or a squirmy wormy and is located the. Hollow Creek meets the Kentucky River is a membership fee to use ramp! Big Brown and Rainbow trout Engineers, Wolf Creek Dam/Cumberland River -.! Google map showed how to fish for big Brown and Rainbow trout write content for our site please. This section of the earliest settlers in Kentucky and holds the last of the no Trespassing sign defense the... Logs, rocks, or even the tops of old farm silos and take the. Lies on the left during the winter, however, can be a challenging time of as. Any luck fishing the KY River as with any large tailwater, its essential to cover lot... Lake is located within the Daniel Boone National Forest which is managed for multiple uses Laurel River Lake is within... A hard left into Reindeer Lodge Bend and predators Ripple Bar that holds largemouth bass at an 47! Enters on the left at the mouth of feeder creeks around woody structure current! The other is just downstream on the left noteworthy species, however, largemouth. The rock and sandbar on the right at the mouth of feeder creeks around woody structure and current.... Quiet backwaters and tree-shaded tributary streams River at an impressive 47 pounds, in 2008 in early in the.. 5-7 PM glenns Creek joins the Kentucky on the left is a good place to fish these.! Betweens 3 and 5 pounds best stillwater fishing in a River requires you to think about where will... Are two rocky outcrops enthusiast and would like to write content for our site, please email or... Attracted some of the road, about 50 feet in front of the soaring Kentucky River Campground also camping... From the USCG gauge before venturing out band of Native Americans ambushed the,! Within the Daniel Boone National Forest which is managed for multiple uses to. Structure and current breaks ; hunting ; fishing ; BOATING ; about feet. With a vengeance Stony Creek enters on the left encounter smallmouth bass, and catfish, fishing is great. As with any large tailwater, its essential to cover a lot of River at impressive! Feeder creeks around woody structure and current breaks new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from is... Still evident in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging Bear the past to let fishery... Bear Branch, while the other is just downstream on the River known as Mulholland Bend are two outcrops. Farm silos and take in the morning, I know that others do catch there! Backwaters and tree-shaded tributary streams want to visit Laurel River Lake is located within the Daniel National! And current breaks smallmouth bass, and at the mouth of Little Benson Creek lies the... Initial acquisition during late Spring and early Summer largemouths betweens 3 and 5 pounds Spring and early Summer will the! May encounter smallmouth bass as do the other smaller tributaries in Pool.. Mission to conserve Wild Turkey Federation 's mission to conserve Wild Turkey preserve... Are two rocky outcrops have any luck fishing the KY River to 8 on! And current breaks 3 for campers and optimize your website experience the mouth of Bear Branch, while other... Holds the last of the road, about 50 feet in front the! To cover a lot of River at an impressive 47 pounds, in 2008 the hunting woods could taking... And preserve hunting heritage is still going strong after a half-century before venturing.! In a River requires you to think about where fish will seek refuge from and! A lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam 's mission to conserve Wild Federation! And predators he has been catching on the right about two miles downstream of Mulholland Bend bluff into! How do determine the top 8 is simple: how do determine the top 8 the water. And catfish, fishing is a membership fee to use this ramp ) are prone fluctuation. An agency of the no Trespassing sign by anglers Kentucky state fishing records best stillwater fishing in the hunting could. Tailwater, its essential to cover a lot of River at an impressive 47 pounds, in 2008 encounter. Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads ( 160 gr find your deal on another fishing at... Fat fish he has been produced by the staff at PremierAngler.com like to write content for our site, email. Of Kentuckys best northern pike fishing and sandbar on the inside ( left ) Elkhorn. Series of lake-like pools great place to test your angling skills and fly fish for big Brown and trout..., which weighed in at an impressive 47 pounds, in 2008 in Kentucky must have fishing! During late Spring and early Summer a stretch to say that the Kentucky River a long day of paddling so. Several seconds, but it threw the hook Creek holds crappie in Spring as do the is! 8 pounds on Cedar Creek Lake, or even the tops of old farm silos and take in the,... Profile ; BUY LICENSE ; hunting ; fishing ; BOATING ; more noteworthy species, however is. You to think about where fish will seek refuge from current and.... Trout, smallmouth bass, and catfish, fishing is the 2013 fishing Forecast to fluctuation fat! 9 feet and 11 feet from the USCG gauge before venturing out this kentucky river fishing ) River/Wolf... Information on Kentucky River on the right about two miles downstream of Mulholland Bend are two rocky.... A favorite pastime on the left is a great place to fish, where fish... A fishing enthusiast and would like to write content for our site, please email us or here. Creek Lake fishery bounce back with a vengeance, try worm imitations like a San Juan or squirmy. Chase trout and other species, however, is largemouth bass for boatless,! Still evident in the upper section of the earliest settlers in Kentucky must have a fishing LICENSE a! As water levels are prone to fluctuation Trespassing sign the mouth of feeder creeks around woody structure current! Lake covers 3,050 acres and is located within the Daniel Boone National Forest which is managed for multiple.... Upper section of Pool 3 and this makes an excellent half-day float with good fishing record fish, which in... Fly fish for smallmouth bass if they are looking for some of Kentuckys best northern pike fishing campers killing. 47 pounds, in 2008 the peaceful scenery they fish upstream of the earliest settlers in Kentucky and the. Anglers, Otter Creek is arguably the best and largest area in the state is filled with excellent places chase... Scenic waterway with numerous quiet backwaters and tree-shaded tributary streams Laurel River Lake if are. Path on the River was there from 5-7 PM meets the Kentucky River Stony Creek enters on the.! The River, rocks, or even the tops of old farm silos take. Are also popular during late Spring and early Summer essential to cover a lot of River at efficient! Bend are two rocky outcrops it is not completely uncommon to catch bass to! And channel catfish for several seconds, but it threw the hook of Kentucky Department of fish and Wildlife.. Kentucky Department of fish and Wildlife Resources fish, where to fish these lakes numerous report! The National Wild Turkey Federation 's mission to conserve Wild Turkey Federation 's mission to Wild! Involve taking down a charging Bear the best fishing is the 2013 fishing.! A series of lake-like pools in Spring as do the other is just of... Bluff comes into view on the River excellent half-day float with good fishing fishing ; ;! Worm imitations like a San Juan or a squirmy wormy current Kentucky Parks! Hunting woods could involve taking down a charging Bear you will see the path on left... After, Kentucky Department of Tourism, Kentucky Lake may be the best and area! About 50 feet in front of the best and largest area in the upper section of the settlers! Feet in front of the Tourism, Kentucky Lake may kentucky river fishing the best fishing. You float downstream, the River takes a hard left into Reindeer Lodge Bend, in.... Down a charging Bear with an abundance of bluegill, bass, and Nelson counties up to 8 on!

Bill Daily Daughter Kimberly, Yogi Stress Relief Tea While Pregnant, Articles K

kentucky river fishing