Fishing just comes natural for most Kentuckians, with many of us learning to pole-fish as toddlers. Using a rod and reel usually came later, but both were fun things to do with family and friends. The flexibility of fish appetites all across the Bluegrass make it easy to enjoy the tradition, even if you aren't a fan of live bait. Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Catfish, Bluegill, and more are just waiting to nibble at whatever bait happens to be dangling in front of them.
Here are 10 fishing spots in Kentucky where you can almost cast out and start reeling in the fish, most of the time:
10. Buckhorn Lake
For the Bass fishermen, this Hazard lake is a go-to spot. Largemouth, Smallmouth, and White Bass are plentiful here. Black and White Crappie, Bluegill and Muskellunge are also relatively easy to catch, but the Bluegill like to bait steal, so get it on the hook firmly.
9. Casey Creek
This is a great spot to go when it comes to Bass and Trout. This Cadiz creek has Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Rock Bass, along with both Brown and Rainbow Trout. Of course, Bluegill is also plentiful here.
8. Cedar Creek
Stanford is home of this thriving lake which holds a massive Bluegill, White and Black Crappie, Grass Carp, and Sunfish population.
7. Mississippi River
Clinton borders the Mississippi, where people have been fishing for years. There are 26 or more types of fish along the Bluegrass banks including Bass, Pike, Carp, Catfish, Crappie, Drum, Perch, Pickerel, Sunfish, Trout, and Sauger varieties.
6. Elmer Davis
Largemouth Bass are plentiful at this Owen County Lake, but those who visit will also find Black and White Crappie, Longear and Redear Sunfish, Bluegill and Black Bullheads.
5. Fishtrap Lake
This Pikeville lake might have the best bass selection in Kentucky. Those who fish will catch Hybrid Striped, Striped, Largemouth, Smallmouth, White and Yellow Bass, along with Black and White Crappie and the ever popular, and easy to catch, Bluegill.
4. Kentucky Lake
There are around 15 or more varieties of fish in this beautiful Benton Lake. There are 5 known varities of bass including Large and Smallmouth, Spotted, White and Striped, along with Blue and Flathead Catfish. Longnose Gar, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Saugeye, and multiple varieties of Crappie are also anxious to get your bait.
3. Lake Cumberland
This famed Jamestown Lake is a favored vacation spot and offers fish lovers 27 varieties of the freshwater swimmers from Bass and Catfish to Drums, SkipJack, Saugeye, Sturgeon, Trout and Crappie types.
2. Falls of the Ohio
Fishing at the Falls can be an amazing experience as there are so many unique spots. Walking across the fossils themselves and casting off gives opportunity to catch Aligator Garr, Catfish, Bass, Sunfish, Bluegill, and more. It is all dependent on how far you cast out and the mood of the fish, but I’ve never left empty handed.
1. Carpenter Lake
Though known for its wealth of Bluegill, this Owensboro lake is also well stocked with varieties of Crappie and 12-15 inch Bass. There are an abundance of Bullhead, Channel Cats and Sunfish around the floating peer.
With over 90,000 miles of rivers and lakes in the Bluegrass State, it's hard not to find a good place to fish. That doesn’t even include the wealth of small privately owned ponds that are stocked by their owners. If you love freshwater fishing, you will want to visit one or more of these amazing spots. Feel free to comment your favorite fishing spots, if you don’t mind sharing.
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