Kentucky Lake Fishing
A Kentucky lake of 55,025 acres in Kentucky in Calloway County and 4 other counties.
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Kentucky Lake, quick facts first
Kentucky Lake holds 55,025 acres in Kentucky on the KDFWR page and sits in Calloway County and 4 other counties. Across the state line as well, the KDFWR note reaches 117,874 acres in all. KDFWR’s layer files the land under Tennessee Valley Authority. Groceries and gas wait in Benton, around 14 miles off.
Boaters can choose among 45 ramps and carry-down launches in the KDFWR layer. KDFWR, the guide and the KAR together print 10 special-regulation lines for it. Its southern reaches belong to Tennessee.
Acreage as KDFWR notes it on the Kentucky Lake waterbody page (KDFWR), read November 10, 2026.
KDFWR waterbody page for Kentucky Lake, read November 10, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 10, 2026.
The Kentucky Lake entry on the KDFWR waterbody list
Further reading on Kentucky Lake from KDFWR
- Kentucky Lake Fish Attractors in Google maps!KDFWR link
- Kentucky Lake Fish Attractor Data in various formats for downloadKDFWR link
- Kentucky Lake Largemouth Bass Fishing Quality AssessmentKDFWR link
KDFWR waterbody page for Kentucky Lake, read November 10, 2026.
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These are the fish KDFWR regulates or stocks at Kentucky Lake; the list says what the rules cover, not what a survey found.
KDFWR waterbody page for Kentucky Lake, read November 10, 2026.
Public KDFWR ramps on Kentucky Lake
- Barge Island Public Use Area at Birmingham Point Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock; parking for 26 to 50 vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Bee Spring Lodge Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, all hours
- Big Bear Public Use Area Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock; parking for 51 or more vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Birmingham Ferry Ramp – LBL on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Boatwright Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, unpaved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; seasonal, all hours
- Boyd's Branch Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Brandon's Mill Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, unpaved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Cedar Knob Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, all hours
- Cozy Cove Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, all hours
- Cypress Creek Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); open year-round, all hours
- Fenton Lake Access on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock; parking for 26 to 50 vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Harry Lee Waterfield Park Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; no fee; seasonal, all hours
- Hickory Hill Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, limited hours
- Hillman's Ferry – LBL Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; no fee; seasonal, all hours
- Irvin Cobb Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 26 to 50 vehicles, paved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); open year-round, all hours
- Jonathan Creek/US 68 Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock; parking for 26 to 50 vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Jones Creek Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- KY Dam Marina and State Park on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 51 or more vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Kenlake State Park Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 51 or more vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Kentucky Beach Resortboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); open year-round, all hours
- Kentucky Lake WMA Rampboat ramp, unpaved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; seasonal, all hours
- King Creek Resort on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, limited hours
- Lighthouse Marina on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Little Bear Public Use Area Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Little Jonathan Creek – KY 80 Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; no fee; seasonal, all hours
- Missing Hill Resort on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, limited hours
- Moor's Resort on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 51 or more vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Newburg Landing on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, unpaved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; seasonal, all hours
- Paradise Resort on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, limited hours
- Patterson's Point Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Pisgah Bay Campground lake access – LBL on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Pisgah Bay Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Redd Hollow (LBL) Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Shawnee Bay Resort on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, limited hours
- Slavehouse Boat Ramp – TVA on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, unpaved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; seasonal, all hours
- Sledd Creek – TVA Carry-Down Launch on Kentucky Lakecarry-down launch; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; seasonal, limited hours
- Smith Bay – LBL Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Southern Comfort Resort on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, all hours
- Sportsman Anchor Resort on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); seasonal, all hours
- Steele Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lakeboat ramp, unpaved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; seasonal, all hours
More KDFWR ramps near Kentucky Lake
- Devil's Elbow – LBL Boat Ramp on Lake BarkleyLake Barkley, 8 miles east
- Bacon Creek – LBL Boat Ramp on Lake BarkleyLake Barkley, 9 miles east
- Ford Bay Boat Ramp on Lake BarkleyLake Barkley, 9 miles east
- LBL – Energy Lake RampEnergy Lake, 9 miles northeast
- Crooked Creek – LBL Boat Ramp on Lake BarkleyLake Barkley, 9 miles northeast
- Devil's Elbow Corps Ramp on Lake BarkleyLake Barkley, 10 miles east
Shoreline access by Kentucky Lake
- USFWS Recreational Area Bank Access on Clarks River NWRClarks River NWR, 13 miles
For Kentucky Lake, the KDFWR layer gives fee yes or no and an hours category, never a dollar figure.
KDFWR Fishing Access Sites in Kentucky layer (ArcGIS service: lanes as single or multiple, fees as yes or no, hours as categories), read November 10, 2026.
Where the pool at Kentucky Lake is sitting
USACE Nashville District reading at Kentucky Lock and Dam for Kentucky Lake, November 10, 2026 21:00 UTC.
USACE Nashville District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 10, 2026. Provisional.
The Kentucky Lake panel shows the latest value on file, with its source.
How many keepers Kentucky Lake allows each day
KDFWR lists these Kentucky Lake rules on its waterbody page; the wording is theirs.
| Species | Rule as KDFWR prints it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Must be 15 inches or over, Statewide creel limits apply | |
| Smallmouth Bass | Must be 15 inches or over, Statewide creel limits apply | |
| Black Crappie | Must be 10 inches or over – limit 20 Crappie, Black or White, per angler | |
| White Crappie | Must be 10 inches or over – limit 20 Crappie, Black or White, per angler | |
| Redear Sunfish | Statewide Regulations Apply | |
| Striped Bass | Statewide Regulations Apply | |
| White Bass | Statewide Regulations Apply | |
| Sauger | Must be 14 inches or over, Limit 6 per angler |
KDFWR waterbody page for Kentucky Lake, read November 10, 2026.
What the 2026 guide prints under Kentucky Lake
- BARKLEY, KENTUCKY LAKES (and their connecting canal)Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit.
- BARKLEY, KENTUCKY LAKES (and their connecting canal)Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
- KENTUCKY, BARKLEY LAKES (and their connecting canal)Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit.
- KENTUCKY, BARKLEY LAKES (and their connecting canal)Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 7-12; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Statewide guide rows that still reach Kentucky Lake
| Species group | Daily | Possession | Minimum size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 6* | 12* | 12" |
| Smallmouth Bass | 6* | 12* | 12" |
| Redear Sunfish | 20 | 40 | none |
| Walleye, Sauger, and their Hybrids | 6* | 12* | 14" |
| White & Hybrid Striped Bass | 15** | 30** | none** |
| Striped Bass | 5 | 10 | 15" |
| Crappie (Black & White) | 20* | 40* | none |
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 4; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
For anything held after a day at Kentucky Lake, the guide says: "A possession limit is two times the daily limit for all fish species with a daily limit, excluding previously processed fish."
Anglers 16 and older need a Kentucky fishing license; the 2026 guide prints $24.31 for the resident annual license and $58.14 for nonresidents.
License prices as printed in the 2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide, p. 2 (2026 CPI-adjusted fees; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Border-water rules on Kentucky Lake
Kentucky anglers licensed in Kentucky may fish all Tennessee waters on the portion of Kentucky Lake from Eggner’s Ferry Bridge (U.S. 68 and KY 80) in Kentucky south to the Governor Ned McWhorter Bridge (U.S. 79 and TN 76) in Tennessee without buying a Tennessee fishing license. This includes all embayments and tributaries on this portion of the lake. Tenessee anglers: please note that Blood River is not included in the bordering waters zone and will require a Kentucky non-resident fishing license to fish. Anglers shall abide by the regulations of the state by which they are licensed, except that when fishing from the bank, anglers shall follow the regulations of the state in which they are fishing.
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 5; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Record entries KDFWR ties to Kentucky Lake
| Species | Weight | Date | Water as KDFWR prints it | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Bass | 5.00 lbs | 07/11/1943 | Kentucky Lake | tie |
| Buffalo (Smallmouth) | 55.00 lbs | 03/23/2000 | Kentucky Lake | current |
Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.
Contest dates and winners from Kentucky Lake
Schedules and printed results for Kentucky Lake are gathered together.
Moving water below Kentucky Lake
- Kentucky Lake TailwaterKDFWR tailwater page
Where Kentucky Lake fits among area lakes
Among the five closest Kentucky lakes with pages, Lake Barkley has the largest KDFWR acreage at 39,496 acres in Kentucky.
| Lake | Distance | Size | County | KDFWR launches | KDFWR rule rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Lake | 55,025 acres in Kentucky | Calloway County | 45 | 8 | |
| Energy Lake | 9 miles northeast | 326 acres | Trigg County | 1 | 0 |
| Hematite Lake | 10 miles northeast | 84 acres | Trigg County | 1 | 0 |
| Honker Lake | 11 miles northeast | 212 acres | Trigg County | 1 | 0 |
| Lake Barkley | 11 miles northeast | 39,496 acres in Kentucky | Livingston County | 40 | 8 |
| Mike Miller Park | 16 miles northwest | 3.9 acres | Marshall County | 0 | 6 |
KDFWR waterbody pages and access layer; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 10, 2026.
Clustered near Kentucky Lake
Lakes worth a detour from Kentucky Lake
- Energy Lake9 miles northeast
- Hematite Lake10 miles northeast
- Honker Lake11 miles northeast
- Lake Barkley11 miles northeast
- Mike Miller Park16 miles northwest
Where to grab nightcrawlers and hooks near Kentucky Lake
- Town & Country Marina, 425 W Unity Church Rdmarina, Hardin, 3 miles
- Sunset Harbor Line Marinamarina, Murray, 3 miles
- Town & Country Marina, 1426 Gardner Rdmarina, Benton, 3 miles
- Sportsmans Anchor Resort & Marinamarina, Benton, 4 miles
- Lakeside Campground Marinamarina, Benton, 5 miles
- Sportsman's Lodge Campgrounds & Marinamarina, Benton, 5 miles
Kentucky fishing guides who work Kentucky Lake
- Captain Kirk's Guide Servicefishing guide, Benton, (270) 354-6017
- Dan Cayce Guide Servicefishing guide, Cadiz, (270) 886-8592
- Fishing Hype Guide Servicefishing guide, Kuttawa, (612) 889-2423
- Hook Line & Sinker Guide Servicefishing guide, Kuttawa, (270) 388-0525
- Nativ Bowfishing Guide Servicefishing guide, Eddyville, (270) 625-9414
- Weakley's Guide Servicefishing guide, Hardin, (270) 354-9974
Beds and campsites handy to Kentucky Lake
- Benton14 miles
- Murray15 miles
- Cadiz19 miles
Kentucky counties strung along Kentucky Lake
- Calloway Countyseat: Murray
- Livingston Countyseat: Smithland
- Lyon Countyseat: Eddyville
- Marshall Countyseat: Benton
- Trigg Countyseat: Cadiz
Piscifun picks that suit a trip to Kentucky Lake
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Sorting out the Kentucky Lake fish by eye
Photo: Fishes of Texas team, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CC BY-SA 2.0
Short answers for a day at Kentucky Lake
Which Census town makes the handiest base for Kentucky Lake?
KDFWR places it in Calloway County and 4 other counties; the closest Census town, Benton, is about 14 miles away.
Is Kentucky Lake one of the bigger Kentucky lakes?
KDFWR's figure is 55,025 acres in Kentucky; 117,874 acres in all.
Which ramp suits a first trip to Kentucky Lake?
Start at Barge Island Public Use Area at Birmingham Point Boat Ramp on Kentucky Lake, one of 45 ramps and carry-down launches.
What species have their own rules at Kentucky Lake?
On the KDFWR lists: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, redear sunfish, striped bass and white bass.
How many fish may a Kentucky angler take home from Kentucky Lake?
10 special-regulation lines apply; each is quoted above.
Which KDFWR permits apply at Kentucky Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need a Kentucky fishing license; the 2026 guide prints $24.31 for the resident annual license and $58.14 for nonresidents. See the border band for the Tennessee side.
Is Kentucky Lake good for bank fishing?
KDFWR maps no pier or bank site on it; launch sites often allow bank casting nearby.
Which shop on our Kentucky list is closest to Kentucky Lake?
Our shop list starts with Town & Country Marina, 425 W Unity Church Rd, about 3 miles away.
Who reports the pool level for Kentucky Lake?
Check the level band, sourced to USACE Nashville District.
Which KDFWR record names Kentucky Lake?
The record list carries a white bass of 5.00 lbs from Kentucky Lake, dated 07/11/1943.
What is the next dated weigh-in on Kentucky Lake?
Yes, with organizer dates and printed weights on a page of its own.
Plan a Bluegrass weekend on Kentucky Lake
License prices and limit tables share one page.