Fishing in Meade County, Kentucky
County seat: Brandenburg. Census 2020 residents: 30,003.
- 1lake pages
- 9launch sites
- 2river pages
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First things to know about angling in Meade County
The 2020 Census counted 30,003 residents in Meade County, whose seat is Brandenburg. Its Gazetteer footprint is 305 square miles of land and 18.9 of water. 1 lake in the county carry a full write-up here, and Carlson Lake is the largest.
KDFWR records 9 launch sites and 3 pier or bank sites across the county. Wading and floating options include Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area and Ohio River (Central). Kids and beginners have 1 lake stocked through FINs, such as Carlson 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.
Every KDFWR pin that falls in Meade 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 Meade County
| Lake | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlson Lake | 14 acres | 0 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish |
Lake pages are scarce inside Meade County, so the nearest ones over the line follow, measured from Brandenburg.
| Lake | From Brandenburg | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly Park | 21 miles northeast | 4.4 acres | 0 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill |
| Tom Wallace Park | 23 miles east | 4.7 acres | 0 | FINs lake | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill |
| Watterson Lake | 25 miles northeast | 3.7 acres | 0 | lake | bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Chickasaw Park | 25 miles northeast | 0.8 acres | 0 | lake | none in the table |
| Lake Nevin | 28 miles east | 25 acres | 0 | lake | none in the table |
| McNeely Lake | 31 miles east | 55 acres | 1 | lake | largemouth 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 Brandenburg, 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 Meade County
Another 3 named lakes and ponds sit in Meade County, shown here with their mapped size.
| Water | Size | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Doe Valley Lake | about 362 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Prewitts Lake | about 8.2 acres of mapped outline | Named Lakes layer |
| Dickerson Lake | about 2 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 Meade County
- Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Areaguide trout stream, special limits, 3 KDFWR access sites
- Ohio River (Central)special limits, state-line water, 32 KDFWR access sites, 2 USGS gauges
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.
FINs stocking across Meade County
| Lake as printed | County | Trout by month | Catfish by month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlson Lake (Ft. Knox) | Meade | none printed | Apr 1,400, Jun 1,400 |
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 6; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
KDFWR-listed ramps across Meade County
- Alton Town Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Blue River Public Access Site on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes
- Concordia Park Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes
- Mano Point Boat Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Mauckport Boat Dock on Ohio River (Louisville)Ohio River (Louisville), boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area Carrydown Carry-Down LaunchOtter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area, carry-down launch
- Parr's Landing on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Riverview Park Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina
- Wolf Creek Ramp on Ohio River (Central)Ohio River (Central), boat ramp, paved, single lane
KDFWR shore access in Meade County
- Blue Hole Picnic Area on Otter Creek Bank Access on Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation AreaOtter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area, bank access
- Carlson Lake Bank AccessCarlson Lake, bank access
- Garnettsville Picnic Area on Otter Creek Bank Access on Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation AreaOtter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area, 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.
Kentucky creel figures for Meade County
Where no special regulation is printed, Meade 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 Meade County with their own limits
- Carlson LakeLargemouth Bass: Must be 15 inches or over – Limit 1 per angler
- 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
- Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation AreaRainbow Trout: From October 1 through March 31, all trout shall be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used during this time
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 Meade County
| 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.
Kentucky bass trail stops on Meade County water
Organizer pages link 1 event or results to Meade County water, and 0 have not happened yet.
| 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.
Bait counters scattered around Meade County
Meade County stores for line and hooks
- Wilson's Bait & Tackle Incbait and tackle shop, Brandenburg
- Doe Valley Marinamarina, Brandenburg
Yellow Pages and Kentucky tourism listings (city of business), read November 10, 2026.
A little past Meade County
Settlements across Meade County with town pages
- Brandenburg2020 count 2,894
- Muldraugh2020 count 1,040
Across the county line from Meade County
- Breckinridge County18 miles southwest
- Hardin County23 miles southeast
- Bullitt County27 miles east
- Jefferson County33 miles northeast
Piscifun gear a Bluegrass State angler might carry to Meade County
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Limestone banks and lake coves by Meade County through a camera
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Scott Oves, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ka!zen, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Alberto Cabello, CC BY 2.0
Sorting fact from rumor about Meade County fishing
Where can a bass boat go in the water in Meade County?
9 launch sites, each listed above.
What is the largest KDFWR-covered lake in Meade County?
Carlson Lake, listed at 14 acres.
What fish does KDFWR single out near Meade County?
KDFWR tables on lakes within 40 miles name largemouth bass most often, then bluegill, blue catfish and channel catfish.
Where do Meade County anglers pick up nightcrawlers?
2 listings, Wilson's Bait & Tackle Inc among them.
Which Kentucky town holds the Meade County courthouse?
That is Brandenburg.
Which KDFWR license covers fishing in Meade County?
Budget $24.31 for the resident annual license or $58.14 for the out-of-state version.
What Kentucky counties are closest to Meade County?
Nearest first: Breckinridge County, Hardin County and Bullitt County.
What is the statewide crappie limit for Meade County under the 2026 guide?
Statewide daily limit 20*, possession 40*, minimum size none. Special-regulation waters can differ.
Are there special limits on Meade County lakes?
3 waters with a page here carry their own rules, beginning with Carlson Lake.
Does KDFWR stock a city lake in Meade County?
Carlson Lake, on the FINs stocking table.
When is the next Kentucky weigh-in on Meade County water?
1 organizer entry on file, with none dated ahead.
Which Kentucky state records trace to Meade County?
Longnose Gar, 40.00 lbs, from Ohio River (08/08/1956).
A Commonwealth morning on Meade County water
Ramp pages repeat KDFWR surface, parking and directions.