SIZE & CREEL LIMITS
STATEWIDE REGULATIONS
Some waterbodies have different size and daily creel limits, so please refer to the “Special Fishing Regulations” section bellow for more details. There are no size or daily creel limits for rough fish, unless statewide or special regulations apply.
For daily creel limit and fishing license purposes, one fishing day equals one calendar day. Except for trout, anglers may cull fish of a particular species until reaching the daily creel limit. Any additional fish caught in excess of the daily creel limit must be released immediately.
| FISH SPECIES | Daily Creel Limit | Possession Limit | Minimum Size Limit | |
| BLACK BASS | Largemouth Bass | 6* | 12* | 12” |
| Smallmouth Bass | 6* | 12* | 12” | |
| Kentucky (Spotted) Bass | 6* | 12* | none | |
| Coosa Bass | 6* | 12* | none | |
| Rock Bass | 15 | 30 | none | |
| Redear Sunfish | 20 | 40 | none | |
| Walleye, Sauger, and their Hybrids | 6* | 12* | 14” | |
| Muskellunge | 1 | 2 | 30” | |
| Chain Pickerel | 5 | 10 | none | |
| Northern Pike | none | none | none | |
| White & Hybrid Striped Bass | 15** | 30** | none** | |
| Striped Bass | 5 | 10 | 15” | |
| Yellow Bass | none | none | none | |
| Crappie (Black & White) | 20* | 40* | none | |
| Paddlefish | 2 | 4 | none | |
| Rainbow Trout | 8 | 16 | none | |
| Brown Trout | 1 | 2 | 16” | |
| Cutthroat Trout | 1 | 2 | 20” | |
| Brook Trout | Catch and release only*** | |||
| Lake Sturgeon | Catch and release only | |||
| TROPHY CATFISH | Channel Catfish 28˝ and above | 1 | 1 | none |
| Blue & Flathead Catfish 35˝ and above | 1 | 1 | none | |
| Channel Catfish below 28˝ | none | none | none | |
| Blue & Flathead Catfish below 35˝ | none | none | none | |
* Singly or combined; a total of these species
** No more than 5 fish in the daily creel limit may be more than 15 inches long.
*** Except for the Cumberland River downstream of Wolf Creek Dam and the upper section of Hatchery Creek, see Special Regulations section for details.
STATEWIDE SIZE and DAILY CREEL LIMITS
(301 KAR 1:060, 1:201; KRS 150.010)
Fishing season is open year-round in Kentucky, except on waterfowl refuges and as otherwise noted in this guide. Statewide size and creel limits apply to all Kentucky waters, public and private, except some waters have different limits (see “Special Fishing Regulations” bellow).
MEASURING FISH
(301 KAR 1:201)
Measure all fish from the tip of the lower jaw (closed) to the tip of the tail with fish laid flat on rule with tail lobes squeezed together. Fish not of legal size must be returned immediately to the waters from which they were taken in the best possible physical condition
How is a daily creel limit different than a possession limit?
The daily creel limit is the number of a particular sport fish species you may keep in one day’s fishing. A possession limit is two times the daily creel limit for all fish species with a daily creel limit and excludes processed fish.
SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS
(301 KAR 1:080, 1:180, 1:201, 2:222 4:100, KRS 150.010, 150.025)
SPECIAL REGULATION WATERS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY
The public waters listed below have different size and/or daily creel limits than statewide regulations allow. Statewide size and daily creel limits apply unless otherwise mentioned below. Special boating regulations are listed in the Boating section of this guide. Some privately owned waters may have special size and daily creel limits as posted by signs.
FINs LAKES:
Lakes in the Fishing In Neighborhoods (FINs) program have uniform regulations for daily creel and size limits:
- Rainbow Trout: 5-fish daily limit. Trout stamp required if you intend to keep trout.
- Catfish: 4-fish daily limit.
- Sunfish: 15-fish daily limit.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 1-fish daily limit.
- Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
CATFISH MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT
There is a 12-inch minimum size limit on catfish on the following lakes stocked by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
| FINs LAKES | COUNTY | TROUT | CATFISH | ||||||
| Feb. | Mar. | Oct. | Nov. | Mar. | Apr. | May | June | ||
| Anderson County Community Park Lake | Anderson | 500 | 500 | 500 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | |
| Camp Ernst Lake | Boone | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,250 | 1,250 | 1,250 | 1,250 | |
| Millennium Park Pond | Boyle | 500 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | |
| Alexandria Community Park Lake | Campbell | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,400 | |
| Robert J. Barth Lake | Campbell | 750 | 750 | 750 | 700 | 700 | 700 | 700 | |
| Southgate Lake | Campbell | 500 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 400 | |||
| Panther Creek Park Lake | Daviess | 750 | 750 | 750 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | |
| Waymond Morris Park Lake | Daviess | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||
| Yellow Creek Park Lake | Daviess | 750 | 750 | 750 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 600 | |
| Jacobson Park Lake | Fayette | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 2,300 | 2,300 | 2,300 | 2,300 | |
| Kentucky Horse Park Rolex Lake | Fayette | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,100 | 1,100 | ||||
| Flemingsburg Old Reservoir | Fleming | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,100 | 1,100 | ||||
| Lower Sportsman's Lake | Franklin | 500 | 500 | 500 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 600 | |
| Upper Sportsman's Lake | Franklin | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | |
| Lake Pollywog | Grant | 750 | 750 | 750 | 700 | 700 | |||
| Leary Lake | Grant | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 900 | 900 | |||
| Kess Creek Park Lake | Graves | 500 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | |
| James D. Beville Park Lake | Grayson | 750 | 750 | 750 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 600 | |
| Kingdom Come State Park Lake | Harlan | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | |||
| Rotary Park Lake | Hickman | 500 | 500 | 500 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | |
| Madisonville City Park Lake South | Hopkins | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,250 | 1,250 | |||
| Cherokee Park Lake | Jefferson | 750 | 750 | 750 | 800 | 800 | |||
| Fisherman's Park Lake #3 | Jefferson | 500 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 400 | |||
| Fisherman's Park Lake #4 | Jefferson | 500 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 400 | |||
| Tom Wallace Park Lake | Jefferson | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| Waverly Park Lake | Jefferson | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 900 | 900 | 900 | 900 | |
| William F. Miles Angler Lake | Jefferson | 750 | 750 | 750 | 700 | 700 | 700 | 700 | |
| William F. Miles Green Heron Lake | Jefferson | 500 | 500 | 500 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | |
| Lake Mingo | Jessamine | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | |
| Southland Church Lake | Jessamine | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | |
| Middleton Mills Long Pond | Kenton | 500 | 500 | 500 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | |
| Middleton Mills Shelterhouse Pond | Kenton | 500 | 500 | 500 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | |
| Prisoners Lake | Kenton | 750 | 750 | 750 | 800 | 800 | |||
| Brickyard Pond | Knox | 1,500 | 1,500 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||
| Logan Hubble Park Lake | Lincoln | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,800 | 1,800 | |||
| Whitehall Park Lake | Madison | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | |
| Mike Miller Park Lake | Marshall | 750 | 750 | 750 | 800 | 800 | |||
| Maysville-Mason County Rec. Park Lake | Mason | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,150 | 1,150 | ||||
| Lake Montgomery | McCracken | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,100 | |
| Carlson Lake (Ft. Knox) | Meade | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,400 | ||||
| Easy Walker Park Pond | Montgomery | 500 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | |
| Bloomfield Park Lake | Nelson | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | |||
| Lusby Lake | Scott | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | |
| Scott County Park Lake | Scott | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | |
| Three Springs Lake | Warren | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,450 | 1,450 | 1,450 | 1,450 | |
| 12-INCH CATFISH LAKES | COUNTY |
| AJ Jolly Lake | Campbell |
| Audubon State Park Lake | Henderson |
| Ballard County WMA Gravel Pit Pond | Ballard |
| Beaver Lake | Anderson |
| Benjy Kinman Lake | Henry |
| Bert T. Combs Lake | Clay |
| Beulah Lake | Jackson |
| Big Bone Lick State Park Lake | Boone |
| Blackberry Creek Park Pond | Pike |
| Boltz Lake | Grant |
| Briggs Lake | Logan |
| Bullock Pen Lake | Grant |
| Cannon Creek Lake | Bell |
| Carnico Lake | Nicholas |
| Carpenter Lake | Daviess |
| Carter Caves (Smoky Valley Lake) | Carter |
| Cedar Creek Lake | Lincoln |
| Central Kentucky WMA Lake | Madison |
| Chenoa Lake | Bell |
| Clear Creek Lake | Bath |
| Corinth Lake | Grant |
| Cranks Creek Lake | Harlan |
| Doe Run Lake | Kenton |
| Eagle Lake | Rowan |
| Elk Horn Park Pond | Floyd |
| Elmer Davis Lake | Owen |
| Fagan Branch Lake | Marion |
| Fishpond Lake | Letcher |
| Fleming County WMA Lake | Fleming |
| Flemingsburg New City Reservoir | Fleming |
| Fort Knox Crystal Lake | Hardin |
| Fort Knox Lower Douglas Lake | Hardin |
| Fort Knox Sanders Lake | Hardin |
| Fort Knox Upper Douglas Lake | Hardin |
| General Butler State Park Lake | Carroll |
| Golden Pond (Land Between The Lakes) | Marshall |
| Grants Branch Lake | Pike |
| Greenbo Lake | Greenup |
| Guist Creek Lake | Shelby |
| Higginson and Henry WMA lakes | Union |
| Highsplint Lake | Harlan |
| Jenkins City Reservoir | Letcher |
| Jericho Lake | Henry |
| KY River WMA Prather and 6-acre ponds | Henry |
| Kincaid Lake | Pendleton |
| Kingfisher lakes (new and old) | Daviess |
| Kleber WMA Lake | Franklin |
| Lake Beshear | Caldwell |
| Lake Chumley | Lincoln |
| Lake George | Crittenden |
| Lake Linville | Rockcastle |
| Lake Luzerne | Muhlenberg |
| Lake Malone | Muhlenberg |
| Lake Reba | Madison |
| Laurel Creek Reservoir | McCreary |
| Liberty City Reservoir | Casey |
| Lincoln Homestead Lake | Washington |
| Long Run Park Lake | Jefferson |
| Lower Thomas Lake | Owen |
| Marion County Lake | Marion |
| Martin County Lake (Milo) | Martin |
| Martin County Reservoir | Martin |
| Martins Fork Lake | Harlan |
| McDougal Lake | LaRue |
| McNeely Lake | Jefferson |
| Metcalfe County Park Lake | Metcalfe |
| Mill Creek Lake | Monroe |
| Mill Creek Lake | Powell |
| New Haven Optimist Club Lake | Nelson |
| Olive Hill Lake | Carter |
| Panbowl Lake | Breathitt |
| Peabody WMA lakes | Muhlenberg, Hopkins, Ohio |
| Pennyrile Lake | Christian |
| Pikeville City Lake | Pike |
| Rebel Trace Lake | Menifee |
| Reformatory Lake | Oldham |
| Shanty Hollow Lake | Warren |
| Shelby Lake | Shelby |
| Spurlington Lake | Taylor |
| Sympson Lake | Nelson |
| Taylorsville WMA ponds | Spencer |
| Thurman Hutchins Park Lake | Jefferson |
| Vastwood Park Lake | Hancock |
| Washburn Lake | Ohio |
| Watterson Park Lake | Jefferson |
| West Fork Drakes Creek Lake | Simpson |
| West Kentucky WMA lakes | McCracken |
| Wilburn Park Lake | Oldham |
| Wilgreen Lake | Madison |
| Willisburg Lake | Washington |
| Willisburg Park Pond | Washington |
| Wood Creek Lake | Laurel |
| Yellowbank WMA ponds | Breckinridge |
BARK CAMP CREEK
Whitley County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
BARKLEY, KENTUCKY LAKES
(and their connecting canal)
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
BARKLEY TAILWATER - See Cumberland River
BARREN RIVER and all tributaries upstream of Barren River Lake; downstream of the lake to Lock and Dam 1 and all tributaries
- Walleye: 2-fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
BARREN RIVER LAKE
The boundaries of Barren River Lake are from the dam upstream to the KY 100 bridge, Long Creek to the KY 100 bridge, Beaver Creek to the KY 1297 bridge, Skaggs Creek to the Matthews Mill Road bridge and Peter Creek to the Peter Creek Road bridge.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 25 inches.
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: inch minimum size limit except 1 fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.
- Walleye: 2-fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
BEAVER CREEK
from the KY 90 bridge upstream to the KY 200 bridge Wayne County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
BEAVER LAKE
Anderson County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
BEECH FORK RESERVOIR
Powell County
- Bluegill: 15-fish daily creel limit.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
BERT COMBS LAKE
Clay County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
BIG BONE CREEK
Boone County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
BOLTZ LAKE
Grant County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
BRIGGS LAKE
Logan County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
BUCKHORN LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Muskellunge: 40-inch minimum size limit.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
CANE CREEK
Laurel County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
CARNICO LAKE
Nicholas County
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Bluegill and other sunfish: 15-fish daily creel limit.
CARR CREEK LAKE
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
CARTER CAVES STATE PARK LAKE
(also called Smoky Valley Lake)
Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released; 6-fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 15 inches.
CASEY CREEK
Trigg County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
CAVE RUN LAKE
Gigging and snagging prohibited in lake and all tributaries up to the first riffle or upper boundary as listed below. Lake upper boundaries: Scott’s Creek to the KY 801 culvert; Beaver Creek to the KY 1274 culvert; North Fork Creek to the confluence of Craney Creek; Ramey Creek to include pool of water north of KY 801; Licking River to KY 722 bridge.
- Largemouth Bass: 13- to 16-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 13 and 16 inches in length must be released immediately.
- Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit.
- Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit.
CEDAR CREEK LAKE
Lincoln County
- Largemouth Bass: 20-inch minimum size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit.
CHIMNEY TOP CREEK
Wolfe County
Only artificial baits may be used.
CLEAR CREEK
Bell County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
CLEAR FORK
Logan and Warren counties
Catch and release for all sport fish.
CORINTH LAKE
Grant County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
CUMBERLAND GAP NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
(301 KAR 1:035)
Special fishing regulations are in effect on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. For complete fishing information on this area contact: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, P.O. Box 1848, Middlesboro, KY 40965, phone (606) 248-2817.
CUMBERLAND RIVER
upstream from Cumberland Falls and all tributaries:
- Walleye: 2-fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
- Lake Sturgeon: Catch and release only.
CUMBERLAND RIVER
from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee state line
All licensed anglers must possess a trout permit on this portion of Cumberland River. This includes Hatchery Creek and all tributaries up to the first riffle.
Anglers may not attract or chum trout with bait, corn or other attractants designed to draw numbers of trout to a specific area. This includes all tributaries up to the first riffle and in Hatchery Creek. For additional regulations on Hatchery Creek, refer to the Hatchery Creek section.
- Brown Trout or Cutthroat Trout: 20- inch minimum size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit, also applies to all tributary streams, except HatcheryCreek.
- Rainbow Trout: 15- to 20-inch protective slot limit. All trout caught between 15 and 20 inches in length must be immediately released.Five fish daily limit, only one rainbow trout may be longer than 20 inches. Also applies to all tributary streams, except Hatchery Creek.
- Brook Trout: 1-fish daily creel limit with a 15-inch minimum size limit. Also applies to all tributary streams, except Hatchery Creek.
CUMBERLAND RIVER
from Lake Barkley Dam downstream to confluence with Ohio River
Gigging and snagging regulations along with special regulations for the Cumberland River below Lake Barkley. Fishing prohibited at the mouth of the lock chamber at Barkley Dam as designated by signs.
DALE HOLLOW LAKE
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 15-fish daily creel limit.
- Black Bass creel: includes largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky (spotted) bass – 5 fish daily creel limit on black bass singly or combined, only two of which may be smallmouth bass.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Smallmouth Bass: 16- to 21-inch protective slot limit. One fish over 21 inches and one fish under 16 inches may be kept daily.
- Sauger: 10-fish daily creel limit.
- Rainbow and Brown Trout: 7-fish aggregate daily creel limit.
- Walleye: 16-inch minimum size limit, 5-fish daily creel limit.
DEWEY LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 25 inches.
- Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit.
DIX RIVER
from Herrington Lake Dam downstream for two miles
Only artificial baits shall be used.
DOE RUN LAKE
Kenton County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3-fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: Four fish daily creel limit.
DOG FORK
Wolfe County
Only artificial baits with a single hook shall be used. Brook trout must be immediately released.
EAST FORK INDIAN CREEK
Menifee County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
ELKHORN CREEK
in Franklin County from confluence of North and South forks downstream to Kentucky River
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12- to 16-inch protective slot limit. Largemouth and smallmouth bass caught between 12 and 16 inches in length must be immediately released. Daily creel limit of 6 may include no more than 2 fish longer than 16 inches.
- For regulatory purposes, the boundary of Elkhorn Creek is a permanent marker just below the first shoal upstream from its confluence with the Kentucky River.
ELK SPRING CREEK
Wayne County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
ELMER DAVIS LAKE
Owen County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released.
FAGAN BRANCH LAKE
(also called Lebanon City Lake)
Marion County
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth and smallmouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be released immediately.
FISHTRAP LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish in the daily creel limit may be longer than 25 inches.
- Walleye: 2-fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
FLOYD’S FORK
from U.S. 60 bridge downstream to U.S. 150 bridge Jefferson County
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit.
- Rainbow Trout: All trout caught from Oct. 1 through Mar. 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
GENERAL BUTLER STATE PARK LAKE
Carroll County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3-fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit.
GOLDEN POND
(Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area)
- Channel Catfish: 15-inch minimum size limit, 5-fish daily creel limit.
GRAYSON LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
GREENBO LAKE
Greenup County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Bluegill and other sunfish: 15-fish daily creel limit.
- Areas marked by signage and buoys near the Jesse Stuart Lodge are periodically closed to fishing.
GREEN RIVER LAKE
Lake upper boundaries: Green River to Snake Creek Boat Ramp; Robinson Creek to KY 76 bridge; Casey Creek to Arnolds Landing Boat Ramp.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit.
GREEN RIVER LAKE TAILWATER
from Green River Lake Dam and extending downstream to the end of the concrete wall
Taylor County
Fishing shall be limited to rod in hand using either: (a) An artificial bait with a single hook; or (b) Live bait attached to a single hook.
GUNPOWDER CREEK
Boone County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
HATCHERY CREEK
Russell County
All licensed anglers must possess a trout permit to fish Hatchery Creek.
- Brook, Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brown Trout: Upper section: As designated by signs, 5-trout aggregate daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.
Lower section: Catch and release only and only artificial baits may be used. The lower boundary of Hatchery Creek is delineated as a straight line between opposite points where Hatchery Creek meets the main stem of the Cumberland River.
HIGHSPLINT LAKE
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit, an 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
KENTUCKY, BARKLEY LAKES
(and their connecting canal)
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
KENTUCKY LAKE TAILWATER
see Tennessee River
KENTUCKY RIVER
upstream of Lock and Dam 14, the North Fork and tributaries including Carr Fork below Carr Creek Lake along with the Middle and South Forksand all tributaries
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit, an 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
KENTUCKY RIVER WMA BOONE TRACT,
Henry County
Benjy Kinman Lake:
- Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit, no daily creel limit.
- Idle speed only.
Prather Pond and 6-acre pond:
- Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit, 4-fish daily creel limit.
Prather Pond, 6-acre pond and 15-acre pond
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit; 1-fish daily creel limit.
- Bluegill and other sunfish: 15-fish daily creel limit.
- Trolling motor only.
LAKE BLYTHE
Christian County
- Largemouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released.
LAKE CHUMLEY
Lincoln County
Fishing during daylight hours only.
LAKE CUMBERLAND
The boundaries of Lake Cumberland are defined as Cumberland Falls on the Cumberland River, Devils Jump on the Big South Fork, the Narrows of Rockcastle River and Laurel River Lake Dam on Laurel River.
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit.
- Lake Sturgeon: Catch and release only.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit.
- Striped Bass: 22-inch minimum size limit, 2-fish daily creel limit.
LAKE JERICHO
Henry County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
LAKE MALONE
- Largemouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released.
LAKE REBA
Madison County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
LAKE SHELBY
Shelby County
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3-fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit.
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
(301 KAR 1:031)
Special fishing regulations are in effect for ponds and small lakes within Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. For complete fishing information on this area, anglers should contact: Land Between The Lakes Na- tional Recreation Area, Golden Pond, KY 42231, phone (270) 924-2000.
LAUREL RIVER LAKE
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit, 2 fish daily creel limit.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit, 15-fish daily creel limit.
LEARY LAKE
Grant County
Fishing during daylight hours only.
LEBANON CITY LAKE
- see Fagan Branch Lake
LEVISA FORK and all tributaries upstream of Fishtrap Lake
- Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
LINCOLN HOMESTEAD STATE PARK LAKE
Washington County
Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit; 3-fish daily creel limit.
MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK
Special fishing regulations are in effect for ponds, streams and Green River within Mammoth Cave National Park. For complete fishing information on this area, anglers should contact: (270) 758-2180.
MARION COUNTY LAKE
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
MARTIN’S FORK LAKE
and all tributaries
- Walleye: 2-fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
McNEELY LAKE
Jefferson County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
MILL CREEK LAKE
Powell and Wolfe counties
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit; 3-fish daily creel limit.
NEW HAVEN OPTIMIST LAKE
Nelson County
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3-fish daily creel limit.
- Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit.
NOLIN RIVER LAKE
Lake upper boundary is the Wheelers Mill Road bridge in the Nolin River arm and to the KY 728 bridge in the Bacon Creek arm.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch size limit, except 1 fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.
OHIO RIVER
– see also, “Bordering Waters"
- White Bass, Striped Bass and their
Hybrids: 30 fish daily creel limit, only 4 fish may be 15 inches or longer.
OTTER CREEK
Meade County
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12- to 16-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth and smallmouth bass caught between 12 and 16 inches in length must be immediately released; 6-fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 16 inches.
All trout caught in Fort Knox Military Reservation and in Otter Creek Park from Oct. 1 through Mar. 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. There is a one-mile section of Otter Creek as posted by signs in Fort Knox Military Reservation where trout fishing is open to statewide regulations. Fort Knox Military Reservation requires the purchase of a $10 permit to fish and is closed to fishing on Tuesdays. Anglers must check-in with the Fort Knox Hunt Control Office at (502) 624-2712 before each day’s fishing.
PAINTSVILLE LAKE
- Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit.
PAINTSVILLE LAKE TAILWATER
from the KY 40 bridge downstream to first U.S. 460 bridge
Johnson County
16-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish daily creel limit on trout and only artificial baits shall be used.
PARCHED CORN CREEK
Wolfe County
Only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook trout must be immediately released.
PEABODY WMA LAKES
In addition to a fishing license, a $15.00 user permit is required of persons age 16 and over while on Peabody WMA.
Permits can be purchased where fishing licenses are sold. Fishing open Mar. 16 - Oct. 14 on Goose, Island and South Lake, all other lakes open year-round.
PIKEVILLE CITY LAKE
Pike County
- Largemouth Bass: All largemouth bass caught must be immediately released.
POOR FORK
and its tributaries Letcher County
Downstream to the first crossing of Hwy. 932, only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook trout must be immediately released.
ROCK CREEK
from Tennessee state line downstream to Bell Farm bridge McCreary County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
ROCKCASTLE RIVER WMA
Pulaski County
All Ponds Collectively:
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit.
- Bluegill and other Sunfish: 10-fish daily creel limit.
- Catfish: 4-fish daily creel limit.
- Crappie: 15-fish daily creel limit.
ROUGH RIVER LAKE
Lake upper boundary: Rough River to the KY 84 bridge.
- Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit except 1 fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.
SHANTY HOLLOW LAKE
Warren County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
SHILLALAH CREEK
Bell County
Outside the Cumberland Gap National Park as posted, only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook trout must be immediately released.
SPORTSMAN’S LAKES
Franklin County
Fishing during daylight hours only.
SPURLINGTON LAKE
Taylor County
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited.
SWIFT CAMP CREEK
Clifty Wilderness, Wolfe County
All trout caught from October 1 through May 31 must be released immediately and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
SYMPSON LAKE
Nelson County
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
TAYLORSVILLE LAKE
Lake upper boundary is Dry Dock Road on Salt River.
- Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 15-fish daily creel limit.
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 25 inches.
TENNESSEE RIVER
from Kentucky Lake Dam downstream to confluence with Ohio River
Gigging and snagging regulations along with special regulations for the Tennessee River.
TRAMMEL CREEK
Allen County
All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.
- Rainbow Trout: 5-fish daily creel limit.
WILLISBURG PARK POND
Washington County
- Channel Catfish: 4-fish daily creel limit.
- Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit.
- Sunfish: 15-fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.
WOOD CREEK LAKE
Laurel County
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- Walleye: 2-fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
YATESVILLE LAKE
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
OTHER SPECIES
BULLFROGS (301 KAR 1:082)
The taking season for bullfrogs opens at noon on the third Friday in May (May 20, 2022) and runs through Oct. 31. If a gun or bow and arrow are used, a hunting license is required. If frogs are taken by pole and line, a fishing license is required. If frogs are taken by gig or by hand, then either a hunting or fishing license is valid. The daily noon-to-noon creel limit for bullfrogs is 15. The possession limit is30.
TURTLES (301 KAR 1:058)
Anglers may take snapping turtles (except alligator snapping turtles) and softshell turtles year round by the same methods legal for taking rough fish species or with a turtle trap. Commercial fishing gear may not be used to take turtles. A hunting license is required when taking turtles by gun or by bow and arrow. Otherwise a fishing license is required. Turtles cannot be sold.
Turtle traps may be one of two kinds: either a barrel or drum with a tilting trigger board or a floating log raft with an enclosed twine or wire mesh bag. Turtle traps must be inspected daily. All turtles must be removed daily except one decoy turtle may remain. Any other species (except softshelled and snapping turtles) caught in a turtle trap must be released unharmed.
GRASS CARP HARVEST PROHIBITED (301 KAR 1:201)
Harvesting grass carp is prohibited in any lake owned or managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Anglers who catch a grass carp from one of these lakes must immediately return the fish to the water where it was caught. Grass carp are used to control aquatic vegetation.
LIVE BAIT FOR PERSONAL USE
(301 KAR 1:130, 1:122)
No live fish, live bait fish or live bait organisms that are not native or established in Kentucky waters shall be bought, sold, possessed, imported, or in any way used or released into waters of this Commonwealth. Blueback herring are not native to Kentucky and may not be imported or possessed in this state.
Holders of sport fishing licenses may take live bait from public waters and may possess up to 500 live bait fishes which include shad (except on lakes where possession or use of live shad is prohibited) and herring, 500 crayfish, 25 spring lizards or dusky salamanders, 5 frogs (other than bullfrogs), 5 tadpoles, 100 native lampreys, 500 other aquatic invertebrate organisms other than mussels, and any number of unshelled Asiatic clams. Live wild caught Asiancarp, herring and shad, as well as the species mooneye and goldeye, may only be used in the waters from which they were collected. A commercial license is required to take live bait from public waters open to commercial fishing for the purpose of selling.
Regardless of size or how obtained, it is illegal to use any sport fish for bait (except redear sunfish less than 6 inches long). Live bait fishes are defined as redear sunfish less than 6 inches long and rough fish except blackside dace, palezone shiner, Cumberland darter, relict darter and tuxedo darter or any other federally threatened or endangered species. Also, see fw.ky.gov for a description of these protected fish species. Bluegills are not sport fish and may be taken for bait as described above.
Live bait may be taken with the following gear:
- Dip Nets: Maximum size of 3 feet in diameter is legal statewide.
- Minnow Traps: Maximum legal size statewide: 3 feet long, 18 inches in diameter, 1-inch openings for catching.
- Seines: Maximum legal size statewide: 10 feet long, 4 feet deep, ¼-inch mesh. Maximum legal size in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and Kentucky and Barkley lakes: 30 feet long, 6 feet deep and ¼-inch bar mesh.
- Sport Cast Nets: Maximum sport cast net size is 20 feet in diameter with maximum 1-inch bar mesh statewide except in the following waters. Sport cast nets prohibited in: 1) lakes having fewer than 500 surface acres, 2) Hatchery Creek in RussellCounty.
All sport fish incidentally taken while capturing live bait with seines, dip nets, cast nets or minnow traps must be released immediately unharmed into the water.
