Fishing in Allen County, Kentucky
County seat: Scottsville. Census 2020 residents: 20,588.
- 1lake pages
- 7launch sites
- 1river pages
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An overview of the lakes and creeks of Allen County
Allen County, governed from Scottsville, recorded 20,588 people in the 2020 Census. Inside its lines lie 344 square miles of land and 8.1 of water, per the Gazetteer. Of the county's 1 lake with a page, Barren River Lake spreads the widest. Below the dams, Barren River Lake Tailwater gives the county tailwater fishing.
Boaters get 7 launch sites in the KDFWR layer; shore anglers get 0 pier or bank sites. Stream anglers can look at Barren River.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 10, 2026. KDFWR Fishing Access Sites in Kentucky layer (ArcGIS service), read November 10, 2026.
Where the KDFWR access points sit in Allen County
KDFWR Fishing Access Sites in Kentucky layer (ArcGIS service), read November 10, 2026. Lake points are the mean of each water’s KDFWR access sites.
Ponds and reservoirs within Allen County
| Lake | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barren River Lake | 9,674 acres | 14 | Corps reservoir | white crappie, black crappie, hybrid striped bass |
The Allen County line has more lakes just past it; distances run from Scottsville.
| Lake | From Scottsville | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jesse W. Thornton Lake | 18 miles northwest | 29 acres | 1 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill |
| West Fork Drakes Reservoir | 19 miles west | 69 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
| Mill Creek Lake (Monroe Co.) | 29 miles east | 95 acres | 2 | lake | rainbow trout |
| Shanty Hollow Lake | 29 miles north | 114 acres | 1 | lake | redear sunfish, largemouth bass |
| Briggs Lake | 36 miles west | 18 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
| City Lake | 37 miles northeast | 4.1 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
Acreage as KDFWR notes it on the this water waterbody page (KDFWR), read November 10, 2026. Waters with no KDFWR acre note print their mapped outline instead. KDFWR fishing waterbody list (app.fw.ky.gov), read November 10, 2026.
For the crappie herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Regulated species near Allen County, by lake count
Counting KDFWR tables on lakes up to 40 miles from Scottsville, largemouth bass comes first.
KDFWR Special Fishing Regulations tables and guide stocking tables, counted per lake page within 40 miles; a regulation list, not a catch survey. KDFWR fishing waterbody list (app.fw.ky.gov), read November 10, 2026.
River write-ups for Allen County
- Barren Riverspecial limits, 11 KDFWR access sites, 2 USGS gauges
KDFWR streams in Allen County without a page (1)
- Long Creek1 KDFWR access site
USGS stream gauges inside Allen County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Barren River Near Finney, Ky | 400 cfs, 83.95 ft gage height | Oct 1 12:00 am Not updated since Oct 1, 1994. |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
KDFWR fishing waterbody list (app.fw.ky.gov), read November 10, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Below-the-dam water reached from Allen County
- Barren River Lake Tailwaterbelow Barren River Lake
KDFWR fishing waterbody list (app.fw.ky.gov), read November 10, 2026.
Put-ins listed for Allen County
- Baileys Point Ramp on Barren River LakeBarren River Lake, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes
- Barren River Lake Tailwater Boat RampBarren River Lake Tailwater, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Browns Ford Ramp on Barren River LakeBarren River Lake, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes
- Holland Bridge Boat Ramp on Barren RiverBarren River, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Long Creek Unit of Barren River WMA Carry-Down LaunchLong Creek, carry-down launch
- Port Oliver Ramp on Barren River LakeBarren River Lake, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock
- Walnut Creek Ramp on Barren River LakeBarren River Lake, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, marina
KDFWR Fishing Access Sites in Kentucky layer (ArcGIS service), read November 10, 2026. KDFWR publishes fees as yes or no and lanes as single or multiple.
Reservoir elevations around Allen County
Barren River Lake
USACE Louisville District reading at Barren River Lake Dam for Barren River Lake, November 10, 2026 12:00 UTC.
USACE Louisville District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 10, 2026. Provisional.
The guide limits behind Allen County fishing
Statewide creel and size rows govern Allen County unless a water has an exception of its own. An annual Kentucky license runs $24.31 for residents; nonresidents are charged $58.14.
| Species | Daily | Possession | Minimum size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| White & Hybrid Striped Bass | 15** | 30** | none** |
| Striped Bass | 5 | 10 | 15" |
| Yellow Bass | none | none | none |
Special-regulation waters of Allen County
- Barren RiverWalleye: 18-26 inch protective slot limit. All fish between 18 and 26 inches must be released. Limit 2 per angler for other sizes.
- Barren River LakeWhite Crappie: Must be 10 inches or over, Statewide creel limits apply
Kentucky special-regulation waters
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026. License prices as printed in the 2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide, p. 2 (2026 CPI-adjusted fees; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Record-book fish with a Allen County connection
| Species | Weight as listed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 20.50 lbs | Barren River Lake | 04/27/1991 |
| Mooneye | 0.63 lbs | Barren River Lake | 08/23/2019 |
Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.
Weigh-in calendar for Allen County
Of 1 published events and results on Allen County water, 0 lie ahead.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| date not given in the release | Phoenix BFL Mountain Division event 4, Barren River Lake (result) | Barren River Lake | Major League Fishing (MLF) |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Bait counters across Allen County
Where Allen County anglers buy nightcrawlers
- Blinky's Baitbait and tackle shop, Scottsville
- Walnut Creek Marina, 2001 Walnut Creek Rdmarina, Scottsville
- Walnut Creek Marina, 275 Barren River Hlsmarina, Scottsville
Yellow Pages and Kentucky tourism listings (city of business), read November 10, 2026.
Handy to Allen County
Cities of Allen County
- Scottsville2020 count 4,299
Bordering Allen County
- Barren County21 miles northeast
- Warren County21 miles northwest
- Simpson County22 miles west
- Monroe County27 miles east
Piscifun reels and line worth loading before Allen County
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Sorting out the Allen County fish by eye
Photo: Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Richard Hurd, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Under the same moon, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, Public domain
Lakes, creeks and ramps of Allen County, asked and answered
Which KDFWR launches serve Allen County?
7 launch sites appear in the KDFWR access layer for the county.
Where is the widest KDFWR lake in Allen County?
Barren River Lake comes first with 9,674 acres.
What fish get regulated attention near Allen County?
KDFWR tables on lakes within 40 miles name largemouth bass most often, then rainbow trout, redear sunfish and blue catfish.
Which Allen County stores sell fishing gear for Kentucky lakes?
Blinky's Bait heads a list of 3.
Where does Allen County keep its Kentucky courthouse?
Scottsville has it.
What does a Kentucky fishing license cost for Allen County?
Kentuckians 16 and up pay $24.31 for a yearly license, while visitors pay $58.14.
Which counties should I check near Allen County?
The closest county pages are Barren County, Warren County and Simpson County.
How many crappie may an angler in Allen County take home?
Statewide daily limit 20*, possession 40*, minimum size none. Special-regulation waters can differ.
Does the guide list exceptions for Allen County water?
2 waters with a page here carry their own rules, beginning with Barren River.
Do Kentucky trails hold events on Allen County water?
1 organizer entry on file, with none dated ahead.
Which KDFWR records tie to Allen County?
Hybrid Striped Bass, 20.50 lbs, from Barren River (04/27/1991).
Where do Allen County anglers fish dam releases?
Barren River Lake Tailwater, each with its own page and rules.
Plan a Bluegrass day in Allen County
Lake pages carry KDFWR ramps, rule tables and any guide exception.