Fishing in Harlan County, Kentucky
County seat: Harlan. Census 2020 residents: 26,831.
- 4lake pages
- 3launch sites
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Planning a first outing in Harlan County
County business for Harlan County happens in Harlan; the 2020 head count was 26,831. Census mapping gives it 466 square miles of land and 2.3 of water. Martins Fork Lake heads a list of 4 lakes in the county that have their own page.
The KDFWR access map holds 3 launch sites plus 3 pier or bank sites here. FINs catfish and trout go into 1 lake here, starting with Kingdom Come State Park Lake.
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.
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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.
Lakes scattered across Harlan County
| Lake | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martins Fork Lake | 325 acres | 1 | Corps reservoir | walleye |
| Cranks Creek Lake | 176 acres | 1 | lake | rainbow trout |
| Highsplint Lake | about 3.9 acres of mapped outline | 0 | lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Kingdom Come State Park Lake | 2.5 acres | 1 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill |
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.
The Harlan County species count from KDFWR tables
Bars count lake pages within 40 miles of Harlan whose KDFWR rule or stocking table names the fish; largemouth bass tops the tally.
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.
More named lakes on the Harlan County map
The KDFWR maps name 1 more lakes inside Harlan County; they stay on this list for now.
| Water | Size | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Spruce Pine Lake | about 5 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
Outline area from the KDFWR Named Lakes in Kentucky layer (ArcGIS service; GIS polygon area, not a KDFWR surface-acre figure), read November 10, 2026. KDFWR fishing waterbody list (app.fw.ky.gov), read November 10, 2026.
Rivers to float in Harlan County
Flow gauges around Harlan County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland River Near Harlan, Ky | 145 cfs, 1.99 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Martins Fork Near Smith, Ky | 29 cfs, 7.72 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Martin's Fork Near Harlan, Ky | 34 cfs, 60.18 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Poor Fork At Cumberland, Ky | 38 cfs, 3.52 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Martins Fork Above Smith, Ky | 7 cfs, 0.54 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 8:32 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.
Stocked neighborhood lakes of Harlan County
| Lake as printed | County | Trout by month | Catfish by month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom Come State Park Lake | Harlan | Feb 500, Mar 500, Oct 500 | Apr 500, Jun 500 |
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 6; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Trailer launches dotting Harlan County
- Cranks Creek Lake RampCranks Creek Lake, boat ramp, paved, single lane, marina
- Kingdom Come Lake Boat RampKingdom Come State Park Lake, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Martins Fork Lake RampMartins Fork Lake, boat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock
Fishing piers KDFWR lists in Harlan County
- Highsplint Lake Bank AccessHighsplint Lake, bank access
- MFL Tailwater Bank Access on Martins Fork LakeMartins Fork Lake, bank access
- Martins Fork Lake Fishing PierMartins Fork Lake, fishing pier
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.
How the Harlan County reservoirs were reading
Martins Fork Lake
USACE Nashville District reading at Martins Fork Dam for Martins Fork Lake, November 10, 2026 20:30 UTC.
USACE Nashville District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 10, 2026. Provisional.
Statewide creel rules on Harlan County water
In Harlan County, begin with these statewide limits; a special-regulation water replaces them where listed. Budget $24.31 for the resident annual license or $58.14 for the out-of-state version.
| 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 |
Exceptions printed for Harlan County waters
- Cranks Creek LakeRainbow Trout: Statewide Regulations Apply
- Highsplint LakeLargemouth Bass: Must be 20 inches or over – Limit 1 per angler
- Kingdom Come State Park LakeLargemouth Bass: Must be 15 inches or over – Limit 1 per angler
- Martins Fork LakeWalleye: 18-26 inch protective slot limit. All fish between 18 and 26 inches must be released. Limit 2 per angler for other sizes.
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-list catches from water by Harlan County
| Species | Weight as listed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 14.59 lbs | Highsplint Lake | 04/19/2019 |
Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.
Gear stores in Harlan County
Harlan County marinas and bait shops
- Mountain Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Baxter
- Stone Mountain Boat Dockmarina, Cawood
Yellow Pages and Kentucky tourism listings (city of business), read November 10, 2026.
In the same corner as Harlan County
Town pages within Harlan County
- Cumberland2020 count 1,947
- Harlan2020 count 1,776
Adjoining Harlan County
- Leslie County18 miles northwest
- Perry County26 miles north
- Letcher County27 miles northeast
- Bell County27 miles west
Piscifun tackle set aside for a day on Harlan County
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Bluegrass and coalfield water near Harlan County, on film
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, CC BY-SA 2.0
Casting around Harlan County: what folks ask
How many ramps does KDFWR list for Harlan County?
There are 3 launch sites on KDFWR's map.
Which Harlan County lake is the biggest one on this site?
Martins Fork Lake: 325 acres.
What species have special rules around Harlan County?
KDFWR tables on lakes within 40 miles name largemouth bass most often, then rainbow trout, blue catfish and channel catfish.
Where can I buy bait in Harlan County, Kentucky?
Start with Mountain Outdoors; the county has 2.
What town serves as seat for Harlan County?
It is Harlan.
What KDFWR license do Harlan County anglers buy?
An annual Kentucky license runs $24.31 for residents; nonresidents are charged $58.14.
What counties surround Harlan County?
Begin with Leslie County, Perry County and Letcher County.
What crappie rule covers Harlan County?
Statewide daily limit 20*, possession 40*, minimum size none. Special-regulation waters can differ.
Which Harlan County lakes have their own limits?
4 waters with a page here carry their own rules, beginning with Cranks Creek Lake.
Which Harlan County lakes get FINs stocking?
Kingdom Come State Park Lake, on the FINs stocking table.
What Kentucky record fish came out of Harlan County?
Largemouth Bass, 14.59 lbs, from Highsplint Lake (04/19/2019).
Set up a fishing weekend in Harlan County
River pages list KDFWR access sites and live USGS flow.