Kentucky Fish Species
43 Kentucky fish with the statewide limits from the 2026 guide, special-water rules, KDFWR state records and stocking.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Cumberland River: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Photo of Nolin River Lake: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Kentucky species, alphabetical
A
B
C
F
G
H
L
M
N
P
R
S
W
Y
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Bluegrass species list: asked and answered
How many Kentucky fish have a page?
43 species: every fish with a statewide row in the guide, a KDFWR state record or a water-specific rule; protected fish share one page.
Which source sets these limits?
The 2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide, checked against 301 KAR 1:201 (last effective September 3, 2026).
Can one Kentucky lake carry a different limit than the statewide table?
Yes. The guide lists 92 special-regulation waters, and each species page prints the ones that name it.
What is the possession limit in Kentucky?
Twice the daily limit for every fish with a daily limit, per the guide and 301 KAR 1:201 Section 2.
Are state records listed?
Yes, weight, water and date from the KDFWR record list, never the angler.
Why do walleye, sauger and saugeye share a limit?
The guide sets them as one row, so each species page prints the shared row.
Which fish are protected?
48 fish and lampreys carry a Kentucky or federal status in the KDFWR tracked-species list; they share one page.
Why does a Kentucky fish I chase have no page?
It needs a statewide row, a state record or a KDFWR water rule first.
KDFWR rules and directories beside the Kentucky species list
- Every Kentucky water, A to Zlakes, rivers, tailwaters, counties, towns and fish in one list
- Kentucky license prices and statewide limits2026 guide fees, the 26-row creel table, possession and culling
- Special-regulation watersall 92 guide entries plus the 301 KAR 1:201 exceptions
- Trout rules and stocking tablespermit reach, catch-and-release streams, tailwater totals
- Border-water agreementsOhio River, Kentucky Lake, Dale Hollow, Big Sandy; Barkley excluded
- Trout fishing in Kentuckytailwaters below the Corps dams, stocked creeks and lakes
- Fishing in Neighborhoods lakescity and park lakes stocked with catfish and rainbows
- Blue Water TrailsKDFWR paddling routes with their listed miles
- Free Fishing Daysthe June weekend when license and permits are waived
- Kentucky state record fishweights, waters and dates from the KDFWR list
- Trout stocking schedulethe November 2026 rows and the FINs table
- Lake levels and river flowsdated Corps dam readings and live USGS gauges
- Boat rampsKDFWR-listed launches grouped by county
- Shore fishingKDFWR piers and bank access
- Bait and tackle shopstackle counters and marinas in four parts of the state
- Fishing guideslisted guide services with towns and phones
- Tournamentsupcoming events and posted winners
- Protected fishfish and lampreys with a Kentucky or federal status