Fishing Report For Barren River Lake, KY
By Rick Seaman
January 29, 2025
Fishing Reports
Popular Fish Species Barren River Lake, KY
Smallmouth Bass
Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good
Smallmouth bass are not the most dominant bass on Barren River Lake, however they are the most fun to catch and this is a good smallmouth bass fishery. Shallow, to mid-depth crankbaits are a good way to cover lots of water and plenty of smallmouth are being caught here on shad or crawfish colors. Tube baits fished on light line can entice bites when smallies are finicky - shallow or deep.
Hybrid Striped Bass
Current Report: Fair
Outlook: Good To Very Good
Hybrid Striped Bass are stocked in Barren River Lake to give anglers another species to target in this fertile water. These wipers feed on schools of baitfish and follow this food source as it moves about in the lake. Locals report catching hybrids on swimbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, spoons, live bait and cut bait here. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources reports that late Fall and Early Winter are a great time to catch these wipers, in both size and numbers.
Black Crappie - White Crappie
Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good
KDFWR research reports that the crappie population is about half black crappie, and half white crappie. Fishing has been on the rise in Barren River Lake for some time and projections are good for this year. Spring is the premiere time to be on the water as crappie move into shallow coves to spawn. Fish habitat planted in the lake, brush piles and deep vegetation are a good place to cast small crappie jigs or live minnows. Light tackle with 4 lb to 8 lb line is ideal. Locals report good success using fish finders to locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover.
Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass, yellow bass and hybrid striped bass at Barren River Lake in Kentucky.
Barren River Lake has over 10,000 surface acres and 140 miles of shoreline. Barren River Lake offers fishing for three species of bass, both species of crappie, two species of catfish, walleye, bluegill, sunfish, hybrid stripers and white bass.
Primary fish species
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Today's Weather & Forecast
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.
Marinas
Click here for marinas available at this lake.
Fishing License
Click here for a Kentucky Fishing License.
Map - Fishing & Access
Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".
Contact Information
Barren River Lake
Barren River State Park Marina
1148 State Park Rd
Lucas, KY 42156
270 646-2357
Fishing lakes in each state.
012925
Barren River Lake, Kentucky Report
KENTUCKY
Information about fishing lakes in Kentucky
Barren River Lake, in south-central KY offers anglers the opportunity to fish for bass, crappie, walleye, hybrid stripers, catfish sunfish and white bass.
