Guide To Fishing At Lake Cumberland

AKA: Cumberland Reservoir

A favorite of local striped bass anglers, Lake Cumberland is a 63,000-acre haven for big stripers. This sprawling reservoir is located in the south-central part of the state, between Jamestown and Monticello. This is the only lake KDFWR stocks with striped bass.

Anglers chasing striped bass should concentrate deep, focusing on deep structure - humps, ledges, flats and creek and river channels. Often schools of stripers will also suspend below a school of baitfish. During warmer months they may chase these bait schools all the way to the surface, creating excellent topwater action. In addition to stripers the lake has resident populations of bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, bluegill and white bass. Most of these species tend to stay shallower than the striped bass, and in varying ways, stay more closely related to the 1,250 miles of shoreline that wraps Cumberland Lake. There are more than 50 boat launch ramps for launching larger boats including pleasure boats, power boats, ski boats, pontoons and all types of fishing boats. There are numerous additional locations for portage of canoes and kayaks. At many of these same places, plus some additional areas, there is access to the shoreline for fishing from the bank. Multiple marinas, numerous restaurants, camping, lodging and stores are all convenient to enhance your fishing trip or vacation.

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass and striped bass at Lake Cumberland in Kentucky.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Cumberland

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Cumberland Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Conley Bottom Resort
Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks and pontoon boats
606 348-6351

Lake Cumberland State Dock
Rentals: Pontoon boats
270 344-5253

Lee's Ford Resort Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
606 636-6426

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Alligator 1 Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Route 76, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp paved parking.

Campbell's Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Cabe Springs Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Cumberland Glen Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the northwest side of the lake, off Davis Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Lake Cumberland State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Lake Cumberland State Resort Park Road, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lily Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Lily Creek Ramp Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with limited parking.

Ono Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Old Jamestown Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Orchard/Riddle Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Dug Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Pleasant Hill Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Route 1680, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with limited parking.

Poplar Hill Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Poplar Hill Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with limited parking.

Prudy Hill Boat Dock & Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Route 1611, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Pulaski County Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Park Street No 1, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Safe Harbor Beaver Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, north side, off State Route 92, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Halcombs Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the east end of the dam, off US Highway 127, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Lake Cumberland State Dock
6365 State Park Rd
Jamestown, KY 42629
270 344-5253

Lee's Ford Resort Marina
451 Lee's Ford Dock Rd
Nancy, KY 42544
606 636-6426

Marina Rowena
11565 State Hwy 558
Albany, KY 42602
606 206-7488

Safe Harbor Grider Hill
115 Grider Hill Dock Rd
Albany, KY 42602
606 387-5501

Wolf Creek Marina
782 Island Ramp Rd
Nancy, KY 42544
270 866-3634

Click here for a Kentucky Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Russell Springs KOA Journey Campground - 270 866-5616

Lake Cumberland Camping Campground - 606 348-5200

Fall Creek Campground - 606 348-6042

Waitsboro Campground - 606 561-5513

Fishing Creek Campground - 606 679-5174

Pulaski County Campground & Boat Ramp - 606 636-6450

Somerset KY RV Park - 606 219-3290

Shoreline RV Park - 606 271-6711

Lake Cumberland State Park Campground - 270 343-3111

Kendall Campground - 270 343-4660

Cumberland Point Campground - 606 271-3923

Pine Crest RV Park - 270 866-5615

Lake Cumberland KY Map - Fishing & Camping Areas

Lake Video

Contact Information

Lake Cumberland
Lake Cumberland State Dock
6365 State Park Rd
Jamestown, KY 42629
270 343-6000

Fishing lakes in each state.