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Kentucky Lake Fishing

Kentucky Lake Fishing

Kentucky Lake is a man-made reservoir located along the Tennessee River in western Kentucky and Tennessee, in the United States. The lake was created in 1944 with the completion of the Kentucky Dam, which is located at the northern end of the lake. Construction of the Kentucky Dam began in 1938, and it was completed in 1944. The dam is 206 feet high and stretches 8,422 feet across the river. The reservoir behind the dam, which became known as Kentucky Lake, covers 160,309 acres and has over 2,064 (3,322 km) miles of shoreline. Kentucky Lake is the largest artificial lake by surface area in the United States, east of the Mississippi River.

In the 1980s and 1990s, advances in technology and equipment led to an increase in the popularity of bass fishing on Kentucky Lake. The lake became known as a top destination for bass fishing, with large tournaments and professional anglers coming to the area to fish. While Largemouth Bass are the most common target, there are also lots of nice sized Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass. White Bass and Striped Bass are also frequently caught in the lake.

Black Crappie and White Crappie are both found on Kentucky Lake, as well as Bluegill, Reader Sunfish, and Yellow Perch. Another popular target for fishing is Sauger. Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish can also be caught while bottom fishing.

Some big fish have been caught in Kentucky Lake, including many state records such as Buffalo Smallmouth (55 pounds), Spotted Gar (4 pounds, 7 ounces), White Bass (5 pounds), and Yellow Perch (1 pound, 7 ounces).



Kentucky Lake Fishing Forecast

Target Species of Fish

Based on historical data for fishing Kentucky Lake, you should target one of the following species for this time of year:
  1. Largemouth Bass

  2. Largemouth Bass

    There is a 13.45% catch rate for Largemouth Bass, based on 23 Largemouth Bass counted.

    Kentucky Lake Largemouth Bass Counts Chart
    Largemouth

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE LARGEMOUTH BASS COUNTS CHART


  3. Longear Sunfish

  4. Longear Sunfish

    There is a 12.28% catch rate for Longear Sunfish, based on 21 Longear Sunfish counted.

    Kentucky Lake Longear Sunfish Counts Chart
    Longear

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE LONGEAR SUNFISH COUNTS CHART


  5. Spotted Sunfish

  6. Spotted Sunfish

    There is a 11.7% catch rate for Spotted Sunfish, based on 20 Spotted Sunfish counted.

    Kentucky Lake Spotted Sunfish Counts Chart
    Spotted

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE SPOTTED SUNFISH COUNTS CHART


  7. Bluegill

  8. Bluegill

    There is a 10.53% catch rate for Bluegill, based on 18 Bluegill counted.

    Kentucky Lake Bluegill Counts Chart
    Bluegill

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE BLUEGILL COUNTS CHART


  9. Green Sunfish

  10. Green Sunfish

    There is a 8.19% catch rate for Green Sunfish, based on 14 Green Sunfish counted.

    Kentucky Lake Green Sunfish Counts Chart
    Green

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE GREEN SUNFISH COUNTS CHART


  11. Common Carp

  12. Common Carp

    There is a 6.43% catch rate for Common Carp, based on 11 Common Carp counted.

    Kentucky Lake Common Carp Counts Chart
    Common

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE COMMON CARP COUNTS CHART


  13. Warmouth

  14. Warmouth

    There is a 6.43% catch rate for Warmouth, based on 11 Warmouth counted.

    Kentucky Lake Warmouth Counts Chart
    Warmouth

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE WARMOUTH COUNTS CHART


  15. Redfin Pickerel

  16. Redfin Pickerel

    There is a 4.09% catch rate for Redfin Pickerel, based on 7 Redfin Pickerel counted.

    Kentucky Lake Redfin Pickerel Counts Chart
    Redfin

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE REDFIN PICKEREL COUNTS CHART


  17. Spotted Bass

  18. Spotted Bass

    There is a 4.09% catch rate for Spotted Bass, based on 7 Spotted Bass counted.

    Kentucky Lake Spotted Bass Counts Chart
    Spotted

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE SPOTTED BASS COUNTS CHART


  19. Channel Catfish

  20. Channel Catfish

    There is a 3.51% catch rate for Channel Catfish, based on 6 Channel Catfish counted.

    Kentucky Lake Channel Catfish Counts Chart
    Channel

    ENLARGE KENTUCKY LAKE CHANNEL CATFISH COUNTS CHART


Recommendations above based on 23 species of fish and 171 fish counted for June around Kentucky Lake.

To date, there are 37 species of fish and a total of 1352 fish counted for Kentucky Lake and within a 30 mile (48 km) radius since 7/28/1789 (234 years).

Last Update: 6/8/2023 11:20:51 AM

*** PLEASE NOTE ***
Please check local, state/province, and federal laws before fishing for any species found on this site. All data is based on historical data found for this area, and in some cases as far back as the year 1600.

View full Kentucky Lake Fishing Forecast to see all species.

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Top Kentucky Lake Fishing Spots

The Top 10 Fishing Spots for Kentucky Lake are the following:

  1. Bruton Spring Creek


  2. Old Lock


  3. Bear Creek


  4. Baros Creek


  5. Flathead Catfish82


  6. Neville Bay


  7. Submerged Culvert


  8. Submerged Culvert


  9. Submerged Culvert


  10. Submerged Culvert


View more Top Kentucky Lake Fishing Spots


Latest Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports

  • First Report of the Year
    Hello from Kentucky lake! With spring around the corner I thought I would let everyone know what I’ve been up to since my last report....


  • Summer Report
    Hello from Kentucky Lake! I have decided to take a few days off to clean the boat and recharge my batteries so I thought I would take...


  • June Report
    Hello from Kentucky Lake. I hope this report finds everyone doing well. Summertime seems to be making its arrival this week....


  • May Report
    Hello from Kentucky Lake! Since I last checked in we have had what I considered as windy of an April as I can remember. Cold front...


  • April Fishing Report
    Hello from Kentucky Lake! April has finally made it here and hopefully warmer temperatures are soon to arrive. April 1 officially kicked...


  • Spring is Almost Here
    Hello from Kentucky Lake! I hope this report finds everyone doing well. As many are aware we endured a deadly tornado on December 10...


  • Fall Fishing Report
    Hello from Kentucky lake! With the first days of October here and November just around the corner I thought I would take the time and...


  • August Report
    Hello from Kentucky lake! I hope this report finds everyone doing well. I thought I would take the time to let everyone know what’s been...


  • Mid August Report
    I had a hard time sitting down to write this report. The fishing for this angler has been very up and down. we have had some weather...


  • Steady Fishing Rough Weather
    Hello there from the "Creek"! Although the weather has been a rollercoaster of pop up storms and gully washing rains we have still...


View Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports

Top Kentucky Lake Bait & Tackle Stores

  1. Fisherman's Friend Bait-Tackle


  2. King Creek Resort and Marina
    Our private, full service marina offers boat rentals for our guests and a store. We also have luxury pontoon and fishing boats. Our 40 slip marina is new in 2018!! Non-ethanol gasoline is available at the Marina. The store has what you need whether i

View more Kentucky Lake Bait & Tackle Stores

Top Kentucky Lake Fishing Charters & Guides

  1. Captain Kirk's Guide Service
    I fish for every game species in the lake: Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Crappie, Red Ears, Bluegills, White Bass, Stripers, Sauger, Catfish and even Yellers. The fact that this lake has such species diversity is one of it's

  2. Lucky Lady Guide Service
    Fishing is usually done from mid March through October, with the weather and water conditions dictating it all. At LLGS, I fish for white bass, yellow bass, bluegill, and crappie. I even manage to pick up a few catfish along the way. I do not fish fo

  3. Sugar Creek Charters
    Kentucky and Barkely Lake fishing at it's finest. We offer 8 hour trips, 5 hour trips, lake breakdown class and electronics trips. All to ensure your success!

View more Kentucky Lake Charters & Guides

Top Kentucky Lake Marinas

  1. King Creek Resort and Marina
    Our private, full service marina offers boat rentals for our guests and a store. We also have luxury pontoon and fishing boats. Our 40 slip marina is new in 2018!! Non-ethanol gasoline is available at the Marina. The store has what you need whether i

  2. Kenlake Marina Corporation
    At Kenlake Marina we've got everything right here on location that you need for an entire fun-filled summer for everyone of all ages!

  3. Moors Resort & Marina
    Resting on the northern shores of beautiful Kentucky Lake, Moors now offers 37 pet-friendly cottages, 24 log cabin lodge rooms, a meeting room, Ralph's Harborview Bar & Grill, full service marina, boat rentals, slip rentals, fuel, bait and ta

  4. Prizer Point Marina & Resort
    Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Barkley in the Kentucky Lakes region, Prizer Point Marina & Resort and Kentucky Lakes KOA is the area’s finest destination for family getaways featuring condos, cabins, RV camping, boating and family recre

  5. Eddy Creek Marina Resort
    Looking for that perfect marina you can call your home away from home? Eddy Creek Marina Resort offers the highest quality with highest array of marina services. Whether you stay in our transient slips for a night, dock for the year, or need the help

View more Kentucky Lake Marinas

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