Fishing Regulations in Kentucky
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Kentucky fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Kentucky requires a fishing license for anyone 16 years and older. Residents and non-residents can purchase licenses online through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. A trout permit is required for trout fishing in designated waters. Joint licenses are available for fishing Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, which border Tennessee.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 6 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | Some waters have 15-inch or slot limit regulations. |
| smallmouth-bass | 6 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | Dale Hollow Lake has special regulations. Combined with all bass species. |
| spotted-bass | 6 per day (combined with other bass) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | Part of combined bass daily limit. |
| crappie | 30 per day | No minimum | Year-round | Kentucky Lake is the premier crappie destination in the Southeast. |
| channel-catfish | 15 per day | No minimum | Year-round | Very liberal limits statewide. |
| blue-catfish | 15 per day | No minimum | Year-round | Growing population in many reservoirs. |
| musky | 1 per day | 36 inches minimum | Year-round | Cave Run Lake is the premier musky lake. Catch and release encouraged. |
| walleye | 6 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | Best fishing at Dale Hollow and Lake Cumberland. |
| striped-bass | 2 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | Lake Cumberland is the top striped bass fishery. |
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Some waters have 15-inch or slot limit regulations.
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Dale Hollow Lake has special regulations. Combined with all bass species.
Bag Limit: 6 per day (combined with other bass)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Part of combined bass daily limit.
Bag Limit: 30 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Kentucky Lake is the premier crappie destination in the Southeast.
Bag Limit: 15 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Very liberal limits statewide.
Bag Limit: 15 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Growing population in many reservoirs.
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 36 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Cave Run Lake is the premier musky lake. Catch and release encouraged.
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Best fishing at Dale Hollow and Lake Cumberland.
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Lake Cumberland is the top striped bass fishery.
Top Fishing Waters
Kentucky Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, sauger
Lake Barkley
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, channel-catfish, striped-bass
Dale Hollow Lake
reservoirSpecies: smallmouth-bass, walleye, musky, crappie
Lake Cumberland
reservoirSpecies: striped-bass, largemouth-bass, walleye, crappie, smallmouth-bass
Green River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, spotted-bass, musky, channel-catfish
Cave Run Lake
reservoirSpecies: musky, largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill
Barren River Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
Elkhorn Creek
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, spotted-bass
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 13 lbs 10 oz | 1984 | Wood Creek Lake |
| Smallmouth Bass | 11 lbs 15 oz | 1955 | Dale Hollow Lake |
| Spotted Bass | 5 lbs 10 oz | 2002 | Lake Cumberland |
| Crappie | 4 lbs 5 oz | 1969 | Private Lake |
| Channel Catfish | 36 lbs 4 oz | 1978 | Lake Barkley |
| Blue Catfish | 100 lbs | 2001 | Ohio River |
| Musky | 47 lbs | 2008 | Cave Run Lake |
| Walleye | 21 lbs 8 oz | 1958 | Lake Cumberland |
| Striped Bass | 58 lbs 4 oz | 1985 | Lake Cumberland |