Guide To The Best Fishing Lakes In Kentucky

Top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in KY.

Cave Run Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, Green River Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland and Taylorsville Lake are the most popular places for fishing in Kentucky, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. The Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes.

Bass Lakes

Barren River Lake, Buckhorn Lake, Carr Creek Lake, Cave Run Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, Dewey Lake, Grayson Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Nolin River Lake, Paintsville Lake, Taylorsville Lake and Wood Creek Lake are considered the best options for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. More...

Catfish Lakes

Fishtrap Lake, Green River Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Beshear, Lake Cumberland, Rough River Lake, Taylorsville Lake and Yatesville Lake are favorite options for channel, blue, white and flathead catfish. More...

Crappie Lakes

Barren River Lake, Buckhorn Lake, Cave Run Lake, Green River Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Nolin River Lake, Paintsville Lake, Rough River Lake, Taylorsville Lake and Yatesville Lake are the most popular for black and white crappie. More...

Sunfish & Panfish Lakes

Dale Hollow Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Taylorsville Lake and Yatesville Lake are the most popular for bluegill, bream, perch and other sunfish. More...

Walleye Lakes

Dale Hollow Lake, Green River Lake, Guist Creek Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Laurel River Lake and Martins Fork Lake are considered the top locations for walleye fishing. More...

Trout Lakes

Dale Hollow Lake, Laurel River Lake, Kentucky Lake, Paintsville Lake and Wood Creek Lake are the favorite options for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, brown and lake trout. More...

Striped Bass Lakes

Barren River Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, Dewey Lake, Fishtrap Lake, Guist Creek Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Lake Linville, Paintsville Lake, Rough River Lake and Taylorsville Lake are the best options for striped bass and hybrid striped bass. More...

Visit the Kentucky fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Kentucky map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in KY at many of the most popular destinations in the state.

Best Destinations By State.