Kentucky species

Paddlefish in Kentucky

Keep-or-release rules and regulated water for paddlefish across Kentucky.

  • 2daily
  • 106.00 lbsstate record
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Photo of the fish, not a Kentucky water: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain

Kentucky fish

Paddlefish: the Commonwealth rundown

The guide's statewide table files paddlefish under the "Paddlefish" row: daily limit 2, possession 4, minimum size none.

Its Kentucky record stands at 106.00 lbs (Ohio River).

2daily (statewide)
0special entries
0KDFWR tables
1record entry

2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 5; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.

Statewide row

The paddlefish line in the Kentucky statewide table

RowDailyPossessionMinimum sizeFootnote
Paddlefish24none–

A possession limit equals double the daily one, and culling up to the limit is legal except for trout.

2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 5; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.

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Records

The heaviest Kentucky paddlefish on file

KDFWR listingWeightWaterDateNote
Paddlefish (Spoonbill)106.00 lbsOhio RiverMarch 23, 2004

Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.

Photos

Knobs, hollows and reservoir arms around Paddlefish, photographed

Cumberland River, Kentucky
Cumberland River
Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Ohio River (Central), Kentucky
Ohio River (Central)
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Nolin River Lake, Kentucky
Nolin River Lake
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Kenton County, Kentucky
Kenton County
Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
Answers

Paddlefish around Kentucky, one ask after another

How many paddlefish does the 2026 guide let one angler take home?

The statewide row reads daily limit 2, possession 4, minimum size none.

Which Kentucky lakes or streams print a paddlefish rule of their own?

It has no entry on the special-water list.

Which water holds the Kentucky paddlefish record?

The list shows 106.00 lbs, Ohio River, March 23, 2004.

Which KDFWR rule tables mention paddlefish?

Built pages do not list it yet.

Must I release paddlefish in Kentucky?

Not release-only; follow the creel rules above.

What does KDFWR charge before I cast for paddlefish?

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.

What does a record paddlefish need in Kentucky?

KDFWR accepts rod-and-reel or pole-and-line fish from Kentucky waters weighing at least 0.10 pound.

Does Kentucky set a possession cap for paddlefish?

Kentucky sets possession at two times the daily limit (processed fish excluded).

Map out a Commonwealth day for paddlefish

Each linked water page leads with its map, then the KDFWR rules.