Kentucky fishing is as diverse as the regions of the state itself. The numerous lakes, rivers, streams and farm ponds provide excellent fishing state-wide. Bass fishing is most popular, in Kentucky and several species inhabit just about every lake in the state. Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Bass, and Kentucky or Spotted Bass. Kentucky is also an excellent place to hook a huge Striped Bass, with a state record of over 58 pounds and many caught over 25 pounds. Lake Cumberland looks to be the best spot for fishing for this kind of lunker. The area around the lake and streams feeding into it are also good waters for catching cold water fish, such as Rainbow, Brown, Lake and Brook Trout.

Farm pond fishing is very productive in Kentucky, particularly in the early spring. A fair amount of trophy fish and even record fish are caught in farm ponds. The shallow depth of the ponds warm quicker than deeper lakes and fish become active sooner. Permission must be obtained from land owners to fish the farm ponds, but the reward of bass, crappie, and sunfish, and catfish make it worth the trouble. Many fish on the state records list were hooked in farm ponds. Many larger non-game fish are caught in the larger rivers and lakes in the state. The state record for a Blue Catfish is 104 lbs. Caught in the Ohio River. The Green River Regularly yields huge Carp and Drum. Lake Cumberland produces a great variety of fish not found throughout the state. Sturgeon, Sauger, Walleye, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout state records all came out of Lake Cumberland.

Other popular spots for fishing in Kentucky are Barren River, Barkley River, Cave Run Lake,. Beaver Lake, Cedar Creek Lake, Kentucky Lake, Rough River Lake, and the list goes on and on. For people who would like to experience catching large fish from one of the many lakes and rivers in Kentucky without the years of experience it generally takes to do so, guided tours are available at all of these and other spots for Kentucky Fishing. The Guides are generally reasonably priced, and will save you the time and trouble of figuring out what bait, or lures, to use, what depth to fish at, and what spots are hot and cold. You can hire them by the day, or part of the day, just until you get the lay of the lake or river in unfamiliar waters.

The Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife is starting a stocking program in urban areas to encourage fishing. They are stocking urban area lakes with trout, and starting an excellent program encouraging adults to take a kid fishing. Other projects the division works on are tracking changes in fish species habitat, and the effects on fish populations. They are currently rewarding fishermen who contact them after catching tagged crappie, in a study to see why the Black Crappie is thriving, where the White Crappie used to do well. Some fish even have radio transmitters attached. If you hook into one of those, they encourage you to release them immediately. 

Before going fishing be sure to check the bag and size limits on fish. Bringing something to measure fish is also encouraged. The diversity of habitat, brings with it a diversity of laws and limits for the fishing public of Kentucky. The lists of different regulations are quite long, but designed to keep fishing productive in all areas of Kentucky for years to come.

Author Ron Stemple
Copyright 2006, Ron Dowell