Cave Run Lake Tailwater Fishing
The Kentucky river reach below Cave Run Lake, in Bath County.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Cave Run Lake: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Getting to know Cave Run Lake Tailwater below the dam
Releases from Cave Run Lake through Cave Run Lake make Cave Run Lake Tailwater in Bath County. Plan about 7 miles to Morehead.
There are 1 access site in the KDFWR data. KDFWR stocks 6,000 rainbows here by the guide table.
KDFWR waterbody page for Cave Run Lake Tailwater, read November 10, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 10, 2026.
Discharge flowing through Cave Run Lake Tailwater
The Corps posts these Cave Run Lake figures; check the time before driving down.
USACE Louisville District reading at Cave Run Lake for Cave Run Lake Tailwater, November 10, 2026 20:05 UTC.
USACE Louisville District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 10, 2026. Provisional.
River gauge checks for Cave Run Lake Tailwater
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Licking River At Farmers, Ky | 800 cfs, 13.60 ft gage height | Sep 26 11:45 pm Not updated since Sep 26, 2009. |
| Licking River At Hwy 60 At Farmers, Ky | 6.90 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
- LICKING RIVER AT FARMERS, KYUSGS 03249500
- LICKING RIVER AT HWY 60 AT FARMERS, KYUSGS 03249505
USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Permit rules for Cave Run Lake Tailwater
| Water as printed | Rainbows | Browns | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave Run | 6,000 | – | April, May, June, Oct., Nov. |
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 24; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Unless license exempt, anglers who intend to keep trout must have a trout permit. … All licensed anglers fishing the portion of the Cumberland River from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee state line, its tributaries up to the first riffle and all of Hatchery Creek are required to possess a trout permit.
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 3; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
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. Keeping trout adds the $10.57 trout permit, and every licensed angler on the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam needs it.
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KDFWR waterbody page for Cave Run Lake Tailwater, read November 10, 2026.
Rules below the dam at Cave Run Lake Tailwater
KDFWR lists these Cave Run Lake Tailwater rules on its waterbody page; the wording is theirs.
| Species | Rule as KDFWR prints it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Statewide Regulations Apply |
KDFWR waterbody page for Cave Run Lake Tailwater, read November 10, 2026.
Statewide guide rows that still reach Cave Run Lake Tailwater
| Species group | Daily | Possession | Minimum size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | 8 | 16 | 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 Cave Run Lake Tailwater, 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. Keeping trout adds the $10.57 trout permit, and every licensed angler on the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam needs it.
License prices as printed in the 2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide, p. 2 (2026 CPI-adjusted fees; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Ramps and bank spots on Cave Run Lake Tailwater
- Cave Run Lake tailwater Boat Rampboat ramp, paved, single lane; Bath County
More KDFWR ramps near Cave Run Lake Tailwater
- Stoney Cove Boat Ramp on Cave Run LakeCave Run Lake, under a mile
- Scotts Creek Ramp on Cave Run LakeCave Run Lake, 2 miles
- Twin Knobs Ramp on Cave Run LakeCave Run Lake, 2 miles
- Alfrey Boat Ramp on Cave Run LakeCave Run Lake, 3 miles
- Zilpo Boat Ramp on Cave Run LakeCave Run Lake, 5 miles
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.
From the pool down to Cave Run Lake Tailwater
The water comes from Cave Run Lake.
7,880 acres by KDFWR.
Clustered near Cave Run Lake Tailwater
Tailraces to try after Cave Run Lake Tailwater
- Herrington Lake Tailwater67 miles
- Green River Lake Tailwater116 miles
- Lake Cumberland Tailwater133 miles
- Nolin River Lake Tailwater159 miles
- Barren River Lake Tailwater165 miles
- Lake Barkley Tailwater266 miles
- Kentucky Lake Tailwater270 miles
Where to grab nightcrawlers and hooks near Cave Run Lake Tailwater
- Crash's Landingbait and tackle shop, Morehead, under a mile
- Langley Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Morehead, under a mile
- Fin-Fur & Featherbait and tackle shop, Morehead, 2 miles
- Outpost R V Park & Campgroundbait and tackle shop, Salt Lick, 2 miles
- Cave Run Marina Inc, 4325 Ky Highway 801 Southmarina, Morehead, 2 miles
- Grim Reaper Lures Incbait and tackle shop, Morehead, 7 miles
Kentucky fishing guides who work Cave Run Lake Tailwater
- Cave Run Muskie Guide Service & Mountain Muskie Lodgefishing guide, Frenchburg, (606) 776-6567
Beds and campsites handy to Cave Run Lake Tailwater
- Morehead7 miles
- Owingsville12 miles
- Jeffersonville20 miles
- West Liberty20 miles
Kentucky counties strung along Cave Run Lake Tailwater
Piscifun picks that suit a trip to Cave Run Lake Tailwater
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Knobs, hollows and reservoir arms around Cave Run Lake Tailwater, photographed
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Short answers for a day at Cave Run Lake Tailwater
How do I locate Cave Run Lake Tailwater below the dam?
It starts below Cave Run Lake on Cave Run Lake, in Bath County.
Are browns stocked in Cave Run Lake Tailwater?
Rainbows 6,000; months April, May, June, Oct., Nov.
What permits apply at Cave Run Lake Tailwater?
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. Keeping trout adds the $10.57 trout permit, and every licensed angler on the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam needs it.
How much water is the dam above Cave Run Lake Tailwater releasing?
USACE posted 519 cfs of outflow; see the time in the dam band.
How many fish may a Kentucky angler take home from Cave Run Lake Tailwater?
See the limits band for its 1 special-regulation line.
Can a bank angler reach Cave Run Lake Tailwater from a KDFWR site?
Try Cave Run Lake tailwater Boat Ramp, one of 1 access site.
Which Kentucky shop on our list is handiest to Cave Run Lake Tailwater?
Crash's Landing, under a mile away heads our list.
Are there other tailraces like Cave Run Lake Tailwater?
Other KDFWR tailwaters: Barren River Lake Tailwater, Nolin River Lake Tailwater, Herrington Lake Tailwater, Lake Cumberland Tailwater, Kentucky Lake Tailwater, Lake Barkley Tailwater and Green River Lake Tailwater.
Check the release, then fish Cave Run Lake Tailwater
License prices and trout rules share one page.