Fishing in Mason County, Kentucky
County seat: Maysville. Census 2020 residents: 17,120.
- 2lake pages
- 2launch sites
- 1river pages
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Planning a first outing in Mason County
County business for Mason County happens in Maysville; the 2020 head count was 17,120. Census mapping gives it 240 square miles of land and 6.3 of water. Maysville-Mason County Rec. Lake heads a list of 2 lakes in the county that have their own page.
The KDFWR access map holds 2 launch sites plus 3 pier or bank sites here. For current, start with Ohio River (Above Cincinnati). FINs catfish and trout go into 1 lake here, starting with Maysville-Mason County Rec. 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 Mason County
| Lake | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maysville-Mason County Rec. Lake | 12 acres | 0 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill |
| Commerce Park Lake | 1.5 acres | 0 | lake | none in the table |
Short drives out of Maysville reach these lakes beyond the Mason County boundary.
| Lake | From Maysville | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flemingsburg New Reservoir | 15 miles south | 47 acres | 0 | lake | none in the table |
| Flemingsburg Old Reservoir | 16 miles south | 11 acres | 0 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill |
| Fleming County WMA Pond | 17 miles southeast | 2 acres | 1 | WMA pond group | none in the table |
| Fox Valley Lake | 20 miles southeast | 71 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
| Lake Carnico | 25 miles southwest | 112 acres | 1 | lake | largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish |
| Kincaid Lake | 27 miles west | 181 acres | 2 | lake | black crappie, largemouth bass, white crappie |
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 Mason County species count from KDFWR tables
Bars count lake pages within 40 miles of Maysville 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 Mason County map
The KDFWR maps name 5 more lakes inside Mason County; they stay on this list for now.
| Water | Size | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Maysville-Mason County Recreation Park Lake | about 12 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Lake Charles | about 6.7 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Mason County Landfill Lake | about 1.4 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Jackpot Lake | about 1.2 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Grant Lake | about 1 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 Mason County
- Ohio River (Above Cincinnati)special limits, state-line water, 14 KDFWR access sites, 1 USGS gauge
Flow gauges around Mason County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Maysville, Ky | 34.47 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 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.
Stocked neighborhood lakes of Mason County
| Lake as printed | County | Trout by month | Catfish by month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maysville-Mason County Rec. Park Lake | Mason | Feb 1,500, Nov 1,500 | Apr 1,150, Jun 1,150 |
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 Mason County
- Dover Ramp on Ohio River (Above Cincinnati)Ohio River (Above Cincinnati), boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Maysville River Park Ramp on Ohio River (Above Cincinnati)Ohio River (Above Cincinnati), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes
Fishing piers KDFWR lists in Mason County
- Commerce Park Lake Fishing AccessCommerce Park Lake, bank access
- Maysville Fishing Pier on Ohio River (Above Cincinnati)Ohio River (Above Cincinnati), fishing pier
- Maysville-Mason County Rec. Lake Bank AccessMaysville-Mason County Rec. 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.
Statewide creel rules on Mason County water
In Mason 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 Mason County waters
- Maysville-Mason County Rec. LakeLargemouth Bass: Must be 15 inches or over – Limit 1 per angler
- Ohio River (Above Cincinnati)White 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.
Record-list catches from water by Mason County
Record fish near Mason County came from these waters, each within 70 miles.
| Species | Weight as listed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | 47.00 lbs | Cave Run Lake | 11/02/2008 |
| Saugeye | 9.03 lbs | Bullock Pen Lake | 03/21/2021 |
| Golden Redhorse | 4.31 lbs | Red River | 04/22/1998 |
| Bighead Carp | 65.06 lbs | Kentucky River (Lower) | 07/18/2020 |
Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.
Gear stores in Mason County
Mason County marinas and bait shops
- Maysville River Park Marinamarina, Maysville
Yellow Pages and Kentucky tourism listings (city of business), read November 10, 2026.
In the same corner as Mason County
Town pages within Mason County
- Maysville2020 count 8,873
Adjoining Mason County
- Robertson County14 miles southwest
- Bracken County17 miles west
- Fleming County17 miles southeast
- Nicholas County21 miles southwest
Piscifun tackle set aside for a day on Mason County
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Limestone banks and lake coves by Mason County through a camera
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: ksblack99, Public domain
Photo: hspauldi, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Casting around Mason County: what folks ask
How many ramps does KDFWR list for Mason County?
There are 2 launch sites on KDFWR's map.
Which Mason County lake is the biggest one on this site?
Maysville-Mason County Rec. Lake: 12 acres.
What species have special rules around Mason County?
KDFWR tables on lakes within 40 miles name largemouth bass most often, then bluegill, rainbow trout and redear sunfish.
Where can I buy bait in Mason County, Kentucky?
Start with Maysville River Park Marina; the county has 1.
What town serves as seat for Mason County?
It is Maysville.
What KDFWR license do Mason County anglers buy?
An annual Kentucky license runs $24.31 for residents; nonresidents are charged $58.14.
What counties surround Mason County?
Begin with Robertson County, Bracken County and Fleming County.
What crappie rule covers Mason County?
Statewide daily limit 20*, possession 40*, minimum size none. Special-regulation waters can differ.
Which Mason County lakes have their own limits?
2 waters with a page here carry their own rules, beginning with Maysville-Mason County Rec. Lake.
Which Mason County lakes get FINs stocking?
Maysville-Mason County Rec. Lake, on the FINs stocking table.
Set up a fishing weekend in Mason County
River pages list KDFWR access sites and live USGS flow.