Perhaps the most popular species, however, is largemouth bass. But record-breaking fish can be caught at anytime, weighed on an International Game Fish Association-certified scale at any number of tackle shops or marinas, and compared to the IGFA's online records database. The bridge abutments for the railroad bridge hold spotted and largemouth bass in summer. - Voluntary Public Access Program All VPA sites are private property and continuing access is dependent upon your behavior. Also, the lakes below are not listed in any particular order. Reserve a private cottage or lodge room to view fall foliage. Toggle navigation. The Dix River is famous for being one of the most scenic rivers in Kentucky, and is a lesser known trophy trout stream designated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. for fishing below Lock 7, or anywhere on the Kentucky River, let us know in the comment section belowwe all appreciate it! The question, however, is simple: how do determine the top 8? Their camping spot was a ford for crossing the river just upstream of the the mouth of Benson Creek at Devils Hollow in what is now Franklin County. Name Map Ref Type Ramp Surface . Explore an array of Kentucky, US vacation rentals, including cabins, houses & more bookable online. following conditions are met: According to customer reviews, some of the most popular fishing charters in Kentucky are: The average price for a private 4 hour Kentucky fishing trip is $242, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $300 based on prices on FishingBooker.com. Pool 4 also offers some of the more overlooked and productive fishing in central Kentucky for black bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, white and hybrid striped bass and even huge muskellunge. The river then flows straight past the extinct community of Polsgrove and the mouth of Flat Creek. Donalson Park: Fayette County's only public access to the Kentucky River. There is nothing to show. This phenomenon has been deemed "the canoe hatch" and is worth trying out if you visit on a crowded weekend. Fishing in Kentucky Fishing Forecast You'll find an amazing diversity of fish in Kentucky. Located in Pike County, Fishtrap Lake is positioned on the eastern border on Kentucky. As a smaller lake known for its natural beauty, anglers will likely enjoy the relatively small size and absence of watersports enthusiasts. Some of the best fishing is when the current slows and the river becomes a series of lake-like pools. Just after the bridge, the Kentucky River makes a hard S shaped curve, beginning with a sharp bend to the left known as Big Eddy Bend. There was a boat idling nearbythey seemed to be throwing dual rigged plastics with electric-blue tails. All Rights Reserved. As of this writing, Kentucky Lake currently is home six state record fish: spotted gar, white bass (tie), bighead carp, smallmouth buffalo, golden shiner, and yellow perch. Subscriber Services. You can expect to find excellent largemouth bass fishing between early Spring and late Fall. Kentucky State Walleye, Sauger & Saugeye Records. Ken Vitale with Buck Knives chats with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller about two new hunting knives for 2023the purpose-built Alpha and PakLite series. The river is high enough to float a canoe, but mostly calm and shallow enough for wading anglers looking to cover a lot of ground when the gauge at Peaks Mill is between 2.5 feet to 3.5 feet. Paris, TN 38242. A medium-running crawfish crankbait worked on this bar draws strikes from largemouth, spotted and occasionally smallmouth bass. The fish species found in the river include: bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, crappie, hybrid striped bass, white bass, walleye, sauger, largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, and muskellunge. Showing 1 - 10 of 29 Barren River Lake State Resort Park Top Five Things to Do 1. October 28, 2014 By Lee McClellan, Kentucky Afield Outdoors The river then turns hard to the right around Steamboat Hollow Bend. Please visit this site often, as additional pages will be posted as they are developed. Kentucky River: A great place to fish for muskies, flathead and . Bass are also a staple on the lake. Pool 4 also offers some of the more overlooked and productive fishing in central Kentucky for black bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, white and hybrid striped bass and even huge muskellunge. Lake Cumberland offers some of the best trout fishing in the country, and the Cumberland River offers a huge range of kayaking experiences. Anglers who fish these waters can expect to land some quality largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white crappie, black crappie, channel catfish and bluegill. It was about 90, full sun, and thick air, so I called it quits after a couple of hours. As of this writing, Lake Barkley is responsible for two current Kentucky state fishing records: logperch and yellow bass. For the enterprising angler who is willing to spend some time looking at maps and driving back roads, the search for places to launch a fishing kayak or bass boat will reap many rewards. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. As soon as you pass High Bridge, the mouth of the Dix River will appear on your right. The logperch, caught in 2013, was a modest 0.08 pounds. Barren River Lake, Cedar Creek Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, Dewey Lake, Fishtrap Lake, Grayson Lake, Green River Lake, Guist Creek Lake, Herrington Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Lake Malone, Laurel River Lake, Martins Fork Lake, Nolin River . 2023 - Premier Angler. The rating and type of trout fishery is provided by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Below, you will find the criteria our team used in order to determine which lakes should make this cut. Do you agree with our list of Best Fishing Lakes in Kentucky? It's about a 3-hour ride from Knoxville and Nashville, a little over 2 hours from Lexington, and roughly 5 hours from Atlanta. Depending on the water level, there is a sandy beach below the lock and dam. Top Catfish Baits. Anglers on this lake can expect to catch smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black and white crappie, spotted bass, muskie, and white bass. Canoes and kayaks are fine, but a paddleboard is a great way to sneak up on wary fish and quietly present your fly. 1-502-227-2465 Largemouth are dominant and provide anglers with plenty of action. With thousands of miles of rivers and streams and countless lakes scattered throughout the Bluegrass State, its no surprise that Kentucky is a haven for any fly fisherman or woman. This sharp bend presented a challenge to riverboat pilots pushing barges at high water. To get to the river, launch from the High Bridge Boat Ramp and then paddle up the Kentucky River for one mile towards High Bridge. Give a Gift Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. www.canoeky.com, Stillwaters Campground and Canoe Trails: The river presents fewer exposed bluffs in this stretch, but the scenery is still exemplary. Licenses and permits may also be purchased online from the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife homepage at fw.ky.gov or by calling 1-877-598-2401. Access is from High Bridge Boat Ramp on the Kentucky River. Popular fish species on Dale Hollow Lake include black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, freshwater drum, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskie, white bass, channel catfish, red-ear sunfish, and walleye. . Theres some quality fish to be caught.. It has held previous records for both lake trout (12 pounds, 12 ounces) and muskie (43 pounds). Don't try to go down there when the water is high. For over half a century, there hasnt been a larger smallmouth caught in Kentucky. If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. Part of what makes the Dix River so abundant with fish is the many twists and turns of the river, the downed logs, rock riffles and rocky outcroppings, all of which provide a variety of habitat for fish. Separated from Kentucky Lake by the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Lake Barkley is located with Livingston, Trigg, and Lyon Counties in Kentucky. I'm originally from Northern Wisconsin, moved here 2 years ago and finally have a boat again. Its best to go during a medium flow time, when some water is being released from the dam, and when the Kentucky River is low enough that its not backing up into the Dix River. 3.050 acres For the enterprising angler who is willing to spend some time looking at maps and driving back roads, the search for places to launch a fishing kayak or bass boat will reap many rewards. Just past the left bend, Stony Creek enters on the left. As such, many anglers focus primarily on early morning or late evening and night fishing. As you paddle, search for these features, and try casting in one of the pools along the banks of the river. The state record saugeye was taken out of the Cumberland River.. A marauding band of Native Americans ambushed the campers, killing pioneer Stephen Frank. Cast around fallen logs, rocks, or even the tops of old farm silos and take in the peaceful scenery. Get great travel ideas and more useful tips for building your dream trip itinerary. There is a complete list of the license and permits required available at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He reported 5 hybrid stripers, plus drum and catfish (with pics to prove it); I dont know what he was using. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. The lower section of this creek and the bar opposite its mouth offer good fishing for largemouth and Kentucky bass. Depending on the water level, there is a sandy beach below the lock and dam. 1433 laurel Lake Rd. In fact, Herrington Lake holds one half of a two-way tie for the Kentucky state record white bass. Ive read fishing stories, and looked at other folks blogs and websites that detail methods and locations for fishing the Kentucky River. Waterbody Information Tournament Fishing Schedule Web Site . An hour and a half passed, and around four, with the sun beginning to throw shadows across the spillway, the hook set, not hard, on a solid fish. Another entry with great bass fishing, Laurel River Lake is also a great destination if you are looking for bluegill, rainbow trout, channel catfish, and walleye. Fishing is best below dams, and at the mouth of feeder creeks around woody structure and current breaks. The yellow bass record (1 pound, 6.4 ounces) was caught on the lakes tailwaters in 2009. Articles on Premier Angler may contain affiliate links. By Art Lander, Jr., Kentucky Afield Outdoors, Sweet Streams: 5 Hot Rivers for Midwest Smallies, 7 Things to Ponder Before Buying a Fishing Kayak, DIY: Earthworms Can't Hide When 'Grunters' Are Hunting, Kentucky Dept. Located near both Nolin Lake State Park and Mammoth Cave National Park, the lake also has several marinas. Numerous anglers report regularly pulling in largemouths betweens 3 and 5 pounds. A little over a mile later, Little Benson Creek joins the Kentucky River on the left. Search Search. The tailwater just below Lock and Dam 4 provides fishing for white bass, hybrid striped bass and black bass. It sits high above the river along a cliff. Post-spawn and early summer fishing especially during the months of May and June are prime fishing months on Yatesville. The nose of land jutting out into the river from the south bank created what loggers called a whirl and required skill to negotiate. Anglers looking to catch crappie, bass, walleye, and catfish in the Bluegrass State will want to give Nolin a chance. We know when to fish, where to fish and how to fish these lakes. Once at the dam, you can drift back to your car and fish. The new Frontier, available in 8x42 and 10x42, has all the range-finding capabilities a hunter needs. A towering rock bluff greets paddlers on the left at the beginning of this float. Licenses can be purchased here. The Palisades are still evident in the upper section of Pool 3 and this makes for spectacular scenery in October. Another entry from eastern Kentucky, Yatesville joins a list of spots that offer great largemouth bass fishing. Kentucky Appalachians. The site has nearly doubled in size since that initial acquisition. Its not a stretch to say that the Kentucky River is overlooked and underutilized by anglers. Hornady's Seth Swerczek goes in depth about the new cartridge with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow, Laurel River, and Carr Creek lakes possess excellent walleye fisheries. (KDFWR) Various restrictions apply to trout fishing in the state. Tie up the boats and wade upstream for excellent smallmouth bass fishing. To imitate this, simply tie on a worm pattern, nymph, or crayfish imitation, and dead drift it to the end of riffles. A popular put-in is at Winfreys Ferry. 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. For boatless anglers, Otter Creek is arguably the best and largest area in the state to wade for trout. Four pull-throughs open year-round. I noticed, in my friends pictures, that the sun was opposite where it was for me. If you're new to fishing or looking for a guided experience, outfitters and guide services all over the state stand ready to put you on fish. Glenns Creek joins the Kentucky River on the right about two miles downstream of Mulholland Bend. Improving water quality, inherent fertility and annual stockings of sport fish by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife are three reasons why the Kentucky River produces quality fish populations. Sign up for the Newsletter for year-round Kentucky adventures. No live bait is allowed after entering the Dix River. The Kentucky Horse Park has three lakes for public fishing. FRANKFORT, Ky. It flows through the heart of Kentucky for some 255 miles from the confluence of the North and South forks at Beattyville to the Ohio River at Carrollton. You will find the criteria our team used in order to determine which lakes should make this cut offers... Depending on the right about two miles downstream of Mulholland Bend the State. Boat Ramp on the left Bend, Stony Creek enters on the Kentucky River: do. Near both Nolin Lake State Park and Mammoth Cave National Park, the Lake has. 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