Fishing in Russell County, Kentucky
County seat: Jamestown. Census 2020 residents: 17,991.
- 1lake pages
- 28launch sites
- 1river pages
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An overview of the lakes and creeks of Russell County
Russell County, governed from Jamestown, recorded 17,991 people in the 2020 Census. Inside its lines lie 253 square miles of land and 29.6 of water, per the Gazetteer. Of the county's 1 lake with a page, Lake Cumberland spreads the widest. Below the dams, Lake Cumberland Tailwater gives the county tailwater fishing.
Boaters get 28 launch sites in the KDFWR layer; shore anglers get 3 pier or bank sites. Stream anglers can look at Hatchery Creek.
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.
Where the KDFWR access points sit in Russell 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.
Ponds and reservoirs within Russell County
| Lake | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Cumberland | 47,688 acres | 63 | Corps reservoir | black crappie, white crappie, largemouth bass |
The Russell County line has more lakes just past it; distances run from Jamestown.
| Lake | From Jamestown | Size | KDFWR ramps | Kind | Fish in the KDFWR table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Lake | 22 miles northwest | 8,181 acres | 13 | Corps reservoir | black crappie, white crappie, largemouth bass |
| Liberty Reservoir | 25 miles north | 79 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
| Dale Hollow Lake | 27 miles southwest | 6,614 acres in Kentucky | 5 | Corps reservoir | black crappie, white crappie, smallmouth bass |
| Spurlington Lake | 29 miles north | 33 acres | 1 | lake | channel catfish, flathead catfish |
| Campbellsville City Lake | 30 miles northwest | 63 acres | 1 | lake | none in the table |
| Metcalfe County Lake | 30 miles west | 21 acres | 1 | lake | rainbow trout |
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.
For the crappie herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Regulated species near Russell County, by lake count
Counting KDFWR tables on lakes up to 40 miles from Jamestown, largemouth bass comes first.
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.
River write-ups for Russell County
- Hatchery Creekguide trout stream, special limits, 1 KDFWR access site
USGS stream gauges inside Russell County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland River At Long Bottom Near Rowena, Ky | 11.18 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.
Below-the-dam water reached from Russell County
- Lake Cumberland Tailwaterbelow Lake Cumberland
KDFWR fishing waterbody list (app.fw.ky.gov), read November 10, 2026.
Put-ins listed for Russell County
- Alligator I Boat Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock
- Alligator II Boat Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, marina
- Campbells Landing Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Clifty Creek Access on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Dudley Creek (Campers Point) Boat Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Farmers Mill (Greasy Creek) Carry-Down Launch on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, carry-down launch
- Halcomb's Landing on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock
- Helms Landing on Lake Cumberland TailwaterLake Cumberland Tailwater, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Jamestown Marina on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina
- Kendall Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Lake Cumberland State Park Marina and RampLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina
- Lily Creek Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Little Indian Creek Access on Lake Cumberland TailwaterLake Cumberland Tailwater, carry-down launch
- Ono Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Pleasant Hill Boat Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Poplar Hill Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane, courtesy dock
- Prudy Hill Boat Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Puckett Branch Access on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Rockhouse (Creelsboro Arch) Carry-Down Launch on Lake Cumberland TailwaterLake Cumberland Tailwater, carry-down launch
- Rowena (north bank) Boat Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Rowena Ramp (south bank) on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Stephen's Ridge Road Ramp (Caney Fork) on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, carry-down launch
- Thomas Branch Access on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, carry-down launch
- Town Branch (Upper Lily Creek) Carry-Down Launch on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, carry-down launch
- Twin Oaks Ramp on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane
- Upper Wolf Creek Access on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, carry-down launch
- Winfreys Ferry Boat Ramp on Lake Cumberland TailwaterLake Cumberland Tailwater, boat ramp, paved, single lane
- Wolf Creek Marina on Lake CumberlandLake Cumberland, boat ramp, unpaved, single lane, marina
KDFWR bank fishing sites in Russell County
- Hatchery Creek Fishing AccessHatchery Creek, bank access
- Long Bar Fishing Access on Lake Cumberland TailwaterLake Cumberland Tailwater, bank access
- Rainbow Run Bank Access on Lake Cumberland TailwaterLake Cumberland Tailwater, 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.
Reservoir elevations around Russell County
Lake Cumberland
USACE Nashville District reading at Wolf Creek Dam for Lake Cumberland, November 10, 2026 20:00 UTC.
USACE Nashville District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 10, 2026. Provisional.
The guide limits behind Russell County fishing
Statewide creel and size rows govern Russell County unless a water has an exception of its own. An annual Kentucky license runs $24.31 for residents; nonresidents are charged $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 |
Special-regulation waters of Russell County
- Hatchery CreekBrook Trout: Upper Section: 5 Trout aggregate daily limit. Lower Section: Catch and Release only and only artificial baits may be used.
- Lake CumberlandBlack Crappie: Must be 10 inches or over, Statewide creel limits apply
- Lake Cumberland TailwaterBrown Trout: Must be 20 inches or over – Limit 1 per angler
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-book fish with a Russell County connection
| Species | Weight as listed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass (Rockfish) | 58.25 lbs | Lake Cumberland | 12/11/1985 |
| Yellow Bass | 1.40 lbs | Lake Cumberland Tailwater | 03/19/2009 |
| Walleye | 21.50 lbs | Lake Cumberland | 10/01/1958 |
Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.
Weigh-in calendar for Russell County
Of 5 published events and results on Russell County water, 1 lie ahead.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2027 | KHSAA Reg 2 | Lake Cumberland | Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA), run with SAF and MLF |
| March 22, 2025 | SAF Kentucky State Championship (2025), Lake Cumberland (result) | Lake Cumberland | Student Angler Federation (SAF) |
| date not given in the release | Phoenix BFL Mountain Division event 3, Lake Cumberland (result) | Lake Cumberland | Major League Fishing (MLF) |
| date not given in the release | Columbia PFG High School Fishing National Championship on Lake Cumberland (result) | Lake Cumberland | Major League Fishing (MLF) High School Fishing |
| date not given in the release | Phoenix BFL Mountain Division event 5 (2025), Lake Cumberland (result) | Lake Cumberland | Major League Fishing (MLF) |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Bait counters across Russell County
Where Russell County anglers buy nightcrawlers
- Captain Jake's Snack Shack & Baitbait and tackle shop, Jamestown
- CoinFlip Bitcoin ATM – Lake Country Outdoors (Russell Springs)bait and tackle shop, Russell Springs
- Lake Country Outdoors Expressbait and tackle shop, Russell Springs
- LakePointe Resortbait and tackle shop, Russell Springs
- Lake Cumberland Marinamarina, Russell Springs
- Safe Harbor Jamestownmarina, Jamestown
- State Dock, 6365 State Park Rdmarina, Jamestown
- State Dock, State Park Rdmarina, Jamestown
- Wolf Creek Marinamarina, Nancy
South Central Kentucky tackle shops
Hired guides listed for Russell County
- Cumberland Bottom Ticklers – Fishing Guidefishing guide, Jamestown, (859) 475-3088
- Cumberland Trout Guidefishing guide, Jamestown, (859) 494-4489
- D C Fishing Guide Servicefishing guide, Jamestown, (270) 566-0625
- Fish On Guide Servicefishing guide, Russell Springs, (502) 468-2250
- Laker Guide Servicefishing guide, Jamestown, (502) 817-6992
- Living The Dream Guide Servicefishing guide, Jamestown, (502) 593-7624
- Morgan's Guide Servicefishing guide, Russell Springs, (270) 866-7177
Yellow Pages and Kentucky tourism listings (city of business), read November 10, 2026.
Handy to Russell County
Cities of Russell County
- Russell Springs2020 count 2,715
- Jamestown2020 count 1,867
Bordering Russell County
- Adair County15 miles northwest
- Wayne County18 miles southeast
- Clinton County19 miles south
- Cumberland County23 miles southwest
Piscifun reels and line worth loading before Russell County
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Bluegrass State fish to recognize at Russell County
Photo: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Andy Sloane, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Under the same moon, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lakes, creeks and ramps of Russell County, asked and answered
Which KDFWR launches serve Russell County?
28 launch sites appear in the KDFWR access layer for the county.
Where is the widest KDFWR lake in Russell County?
Lake Cumberland comes first with 47,688 acres.
What fish get regulated attention near Russell County?
KDFWR tables on lakes within 40 miles name largemouth bass most often, then smallmouth bass, white crappie and black crappie.
Which Russell County stores sell fishing gear for Kentucky lakes?
Captain Jake's Snack Shack & Bait heads a list of 9.
Where does Russell County keep its Kentucky courthouse?
Jamestown has it.
What does a Kentucky fishing license cost for Russell County?
Kentuckians 16 and up pay $24.31 for a yearly license, while visitors pay $58.14.
Which counties should I check near Russell County?
The closest county pages are Adair County, Wayne County and Clinton County.
How many crappie may an angler in Russell County take home?
Statewide daily limit 20*, possession 40*, minimum size none. Special-regulation waters can differ.
Does the guide list exceptions for Russell County water?
3 waters with a page here carry their own rules, beginning with Hatchery Creek.
Do Kentucky trails hold events on Russell County water?
5 organizer entries on file; the next is KHSAA Reg 2 on Lake Cumberland, April 24, 2027.
Which KDFWR records tie to Russell County?
Striped Bass (Rockfish), 58.25 lbs, from Lake Cumberland (12/11/1985).
Where do Russell County anglers fish dam releases?
Lake Cumberland Tailwater, each with its own page and rules.
Plan a Bluegrass day in Russell County
Lake pages carry KDFWR ramps, rule tables and any guide exception.