Fishing in Henderson County, Kentucky
County seat: Henderson. Census 2020 residents: 44,793.
- 1lake pages
- 19launch sites
- 2river pages
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Henderson County: the essentials
Henderson County runs its courthouse out of Henderson, and the 2020 Census found 44,793 people living there. The Census Gazetteer measures it at 436 square miles of land and 29.2 of water. The county holds 1 lake with full pages, led on size by Audubon State Park Lake.
Count 19 launch sites and 1 pier or bank site on KDFWR's access map of the county. River pages for the county cover Ohio River (Central) and Green River (Lower).
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.
The Henderson County fishing map, KDFWR layers only
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 and farm-country ponds in Henderson County
| Lake | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audubon State Park Lake | 16 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
Closest lake pages to Henderson, all outside Henderson County.
| Lake | From Henderson | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higginson-Henry WMA | 21 miles southwest | no KDFWR figure | 2 | WMA pond group | rainbow trout |
| Panther Creek Park Lake | 22 miles east | 3.9 acres | 0 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill |
| Dixon City Lake | 23 miles south | 6.3 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
| Moffitt Lake | 23 miles southwest | 46 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
| Waymond Morris Park | 25 miles east | 5 acres | 0 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill |
| Yellow Creek Park | 30 miles east | 3 acres | 0 | 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.
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Lake tables within 40 miles of Henderson name largemouth bass most often.
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.
Named ponds of Henderson County without a full write-up
KDFWR and its Named Lakes layer list 12 more lakes in Henderson County that lack enough published facts for a page.
| Water | Size | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Watkins Park Lake | about 5.8 acres of mapped outline | KDFWR waterbody |
| Sloughs WMA | no figure | KDFWR waterbody |
| Gentle Pond | about 72 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Sportsman Lake | about 35 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Hardy Slough Pond | about 24 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Little Swan Pond Slough | about 22 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Anderson Pond | about 18 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Big Pond | about 15 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Burbanks Lakes | about 12 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Sauerheber Unit Slough | about 9.7 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Atkinson Slough | about 9.3 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Wilderness Lake | about 5.5 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.
Forks and branches threading Henderson County
- Ohio River (Central)special limits, state-line water, 32 KDFWR access sites, 2 USGS gauges
- Green River (Lower)19 KDFWR access sites, 7 USGS gauges
Real-time creek and river gauges in Henderson County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Green River At Lock 1 At Spottsville, Ky | 4,520 cfs, 11.43 ft gage height | Oct 30 10:15 pm Not updated since Oct 30, 2026. |
| Ohio River At Henderson, Ky | 12.74 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 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.
KDFWR boat ramps inside Henderson County
- Angel Mounds Boat Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock
- Audubon State Park Boat RampAudubon State Park Lake, boat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock
- Dogtown Boat Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina
- Dress Plaza Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes
- Gentle Pond Boat Ramp on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Grassy Pond Boat Ramp on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Hayes Boat Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock
- Henderson Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes
- Honey Cypress Ramp on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Jenny Hole Pond 1 Boat Ramp on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Jenny Hole Pond 2 Boat Ramp on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Jenny Hole Pond Creek Ramp on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Jenny Hole Ramp 3 on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Jenny Hole Ramp 4 on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Newburgh Old Dam Park Boat Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes
- Sauerheber Unit Slough Carry-Down Launch on Sloughs WMASloughs WMA, carry-down launch, unpaved, single lane
- Sloughs North Dock on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Sloughs WMA Ramp #9Sloughs WMA, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Spottsville Boat Ramp on Green River (Lower)Green River (Lower), boat ramp, paved, single lane
Piers and bank access across Henderson County
- Newburgh Dam Bank Access on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), bank access
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.
Daily and size limits across Henderson County
Anglers in Henderson County use these statewide figures except on waters the guide singles out. The 2026 guide prices the resident annual fishing license at $24.31 and the nonresident annual at $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 |
Guide entries for Henderson County waters
- Ohio River (Central)Hybrid Striped Bass: Limit 30 per angler of White Bass, Yellow Bass, Striped Bass and their Hybrids, singly or combined, No more than 4 fish may be over 15 inches
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.
Where Henderson County turns up on the KDFWR record list
| Species | Weight as listed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longnose Gar | 40.00 lbs | Ohio River (Central) | 08/08/1956 |
| Paddlefish (Spoonbill) | 106.00 lbs | Ohio River (Central) | 03/23/2004 |
| Blue Sucker | 8.34 lbs | Ohio River (Central) | 11/22/2009 |
| Silver Carp | 17.34 lbs | Ohio River (Central) | 02/27/2023 |
| Blue Catfish | 106.90 lbs | Ohio River (Central) | 10/20/2018 |
| Channel Catfish | 32.00 lbs | Ohio River (Central) | 05/26/2004 |
| Skipjack Herring | 3.10 lbs | Ohio River (Central) | 04/14/2006 |
| Gizzard Shad | 4.08 lbs | Ohio River (Central) | 05/24/2009 |
Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.
Competitive fishing tied to Henderson County
0 of the 1 organizer entries tied to Henderson County are still on the schedule.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 10, 2025 | Bass Pro Shops/Cabela's King Kat Classic, Ohio River (Owensboro) (result) | Ohio River | King Kat Tournament Trail |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Marinas, guides and tackle in Henderson County
Tackle counters of Henderson County
- Cagey's General Storebait and tackle shop, Reed
- Sportsman Cornerbait and tackle shop, Henderson
Yellow Pages and Kentucky tourism listings (city of business), read November 10, 2026.
Plotted beside Henderson County on the KDFWR map
Lodging towns across Henderson County
- Henderson2020 count 27,981
Kentucky counties abutting Henderson County
- Webster County20 miles south
- Union County23 miles southwest
- McLean County25 miles southeast
- Daviess County27 miles east
A Piscifun kit for the drive out to Henderson County
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Bluegrass State fish to recognize at Henderson County
Photo: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Under the same moon, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fast answers on fishing Henderson County
How many KDFWR launch sites does Henderson County have?
The KDFWR layer shows 19 launch sites.
Which Henderson County lake tops the KDFWR size figures?
On size, Audubon State Park Lake (16 acres).
Which species keep showing up in KDFWR tables around Henderson County?
KDFWR tables on lakes within 40 miles name largemouth bass most often, then rainbow trout, redear sunfish and blue catfish.
Does Henderson County have a marina or bait store?
There are 2; Cagey's General Store is first.
Which Bluegrass town is the seat of Henderson County?
County offices sit in Henderson.
Do I need a KDFWR license to fish in Henderson County?
A year on Kentucky water costs $24.31 with residency and $58.14 without it, per the 2026 guide.
Which counties are near Henderson County?
Webster County, Union County and McLean County sit nearest.
What crappie figures apply to Henderson County water?
Statewide daily limit 20*, possession 40*, minimum size none. Special-regulation waters can differ.
Which waters in Henderson County break from the statewide table?
1 water with a page here carry their own rules, beginning with Ohio River (Central).
Are there Kentucky bass tournaments in Henderson County?
1 organizer entry on file, with none dated ahead.
Has a Kentucky record fish come from Henderson County?
Longnose Gar, 40.00 lbs, from Ohio River (08/08/1956).
Hitch up the boat for Kentucky water in Henderson County
Open a lake for its launches, limits and Corps readings.