Fishing in Johnson County, Kentucky
County seat: Paintsville. Census 2020 residents: 22,680.
- 1lake pages
- 4launch sites
- 1river pages
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First things to know about angling in Johnson County
The 2020 Census counted 22,680 residents in Johnson County, whose seat is Paintsville. Its Gazetteer footprint is 262 square miles of land and 2.2 of water. 1 lake in the county carry a full write-up here, and Paintsville Lake is the largest.
KDFWR records 4 launch sites and 1 pier or bank site across the county. Wading and floating options include Levisa Fork of Big Sandy 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.
Every KDFWR pin that falls in Johnson 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.
Lake write-ups for Johnson County
| Lake | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintsville Lake | 996 acres | 5 | Corps reservoir | white bass, white crappie, black crappie |
Lake pages are scarce inside Johnson County, so the nearest ones over the line follow, measured from Paintsville.
| Lake | From Paintsville | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dewey Lake | 10 miles southeast | 961 acres | 6 | Corps reservoir | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie |
| Martin County Lake | 15 miles northeast | 3 acres | 1 | lake | rainbow trout |
| Martin County Reservoir | 16 miles east | 15 acres | 1 | lake | rainbow trout |
| Yatesville Lake | 19 miles north | 2,171 acres | 4 | Corps reservoir | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie |
| Pikeville City Lake | 28 miles southeast | 21 acres | 1 | lake | rainbow trout, largemouth bass |
| Grayson Lake | 29 miles northwest | 1,300 acres | 5 | Corps reservoir | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass |
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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Around Paintsville, 40 miles out, KDFWR singles out largemouth bass on the most lakes.
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.
Smaller KDFWR and mapped lakes in Johnson County
Another 1 named lakes and ponds sit in Johnson County, shown here with their mapped size.
| Water | Size | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Thelma Lake | about 1.4 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.
Current-fed water in Johnson County
- Levisa Fork of Big Sandy Riverspecial limits, state-line water, 9 KDFWR access sites
USGS stations within Johnson County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Levisa Fork At Paintsville, Ky | 947 cfs, 3.86 ft gage height | Nov 12 5:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 6:33 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.
KDFWR-listed ramps across Johnson County
- Airport Ramp on Levisa Fork of Big Sandy RiverLevisa Fork of Big Sandy River, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Paintsville Lake State Park RampPaintsville Lake, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina
- Paintsville River Access on Levisa Fork of Big Sandy RiverLevisa Fork of Big Sandy River, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Paintsville Tailwater Carry-Down LaunchPaintsville Lake, carry-down launch
KDFWR shore access in Johnson County
- Paintsville Lake WMA Bank AccessPaintsville Lake, 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.
Pool and release figures across Johnson County
Paintsville Lake
USACE Huntington District reading at Paintsville Lake for Paintsville Lake, November 10, 2026 21:00 UTC.
USACE Huntington District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 10, 2026. Provisional.
Kentucky creel figures for Johnson County
Where no special regulation is printed, Johnson County water follows the statewide table from the 2026 guide. Kentuckians 16 and up pay $24.31 for a yearly license, while visitors pay $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 |
Waters in Johnson County with their own limits
- Levisa Fork of Big Sandy RiverWalleye: 18-26 inch protective slot limit. All fish between 18 and 26 inches must be released. Limit 2 per angler for other sizes.
- Paintsville LakeWhite Bass: Statewide Regulations 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.
Heavyweight catches near Johnson County
The record list skips Johnson County, but nearby waters within 70 miles appear.
| Species | Weight as listed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | 47.00 lbs | Cave Run Lake | 11/02/2008 |
| Golden Redhorse | 4.31 lbs | Red River | 04/22/1998 |
| Largemouth Bass | 14.59 lbs | Highsplint Lake | 04/19/2019 |
Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.
Bait counters scattered around Johnson County
Johnson County stores for line and hooks
- Wild Cat Pay Lakebait and tackle shop, Flatgap
Yellow Pages and Kentucky tourism listings (city of business), read November 10, 2026.
A little past Johnson County
Settlements across Johnson County with town pages
- Paintsville2020 count 4,312
Across the county line from Johnson County
- Lawrence County16 miles north
- Magoffin County17 miles southwest
- Martin County18 miles east
- Floyd County21 miles south
Piscifun gear a Bluegrass State angler might carry to Johnson County
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Sorting out the Johnson County fish by eye
Photo: Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, CC BY 2.0
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Under the same moon, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, Public domain
Sorting fact from rumor about Johnson County fishing
Where can a bass boat go in the water in Johnson County?
4 launch sites, each listed above.
What is the largest KDFWR-covered lake in Johnson County?
Paintsville Lake, listed at 996 acres.
What fish does KDFWR single out near Johnson County?
KDFWR tables on lakes within 40 miles name largemouth bass most often, then rainbow trout, black crappie and smallmouth bass.
Where do Johnson County anglers pick up nightcrawlers?
1 listings, Wild Cat Pay Lake among them.
Which Kentucky town holds the Johnson County courthouse?
That is Paintsville.
Which KDFWR license covers fishing in Johnson County?
Budget $24.31 for the resident annual license or $58.14 for the out-of-state version.
What Kentucky counties are closest to Johnson County?
Nearest first: Lawrence County, Magoffin County and Martin County.
What is the statewide crappie limit for Johnson County under the 2026 guide?
Statewide daily limit 20*, possession 40*, minimum size none. Special-regulation waters can differ.
Are there special limits on Johnson County lakes?
2 waters with a page here carry their own rules, beginning with Levisa Fork of Big Sandy River.
A Commonwealth morning on Johnson County water
Ramp pages repeat KDFWR surface, parking and directions.