Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Kentucky (Complete Guide)

Kentucky offers some of the best fishing in the United States. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Kentucky are during the early morning and late evening hours when fish are more active and during the spring and fall seasons when many species are spawning or feeding more actively.

Month	Kentucky Fishing Location
January	Green River Lake – Fish near the submerged trees and drop-offs for crappie and largemouth bass.
February	Cumberland River – Target the deep pools and eddies for brown trout and rainbow trout below the Wolf Creek Dam.
March	Nolin River Lake – Fish around submerged brush piles and points for crappie and largemouth bass.
April	Kentucky Lake – Head to the flooded timber areas and shallow coves for largemouth bass and crappie.
May	Lake Cumberland – Fish the rocky points and submerged structure for smallmouth bass and walleye.
June	Barren River Lake – Target the shallow weed beds and rocky shorelines for largemouth bass and bluegill.
July	Dale Hollow Lake – Fish the main lake points and bluff walls for smallmouth bass and crappie.
August	Rough River Lake – Target the deep drop-offs and submerged structure for channel catfish and bluegill.
September	Lake Barkley – Fish the rocky banks and submerged humps for hybrid striped bass and crappie.
October	Laurel River Lake – Target the rocky shorelines and fallen trees for muskie and rainbow trout.
November	Taylorsville Lake – Fish the deep channels and main lake points for saugeye and crappie.
December	Ohio River – Target the deep holes and eddies for trophy catfish and white bass below the dams.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Kentucky. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Times: Creeks/Rivers to Fish in Kentucky

Cumberland River (Wolf Creek Dam to Burkesville): Best months for fly fishing are October to May for brown trout and rainbow trout.

Red River (Natural Bridge State Park): Best months for fly fishing are March to June for rainbow trout and smallmouth bass.

Rock Creek (Daniel Boone National Forest): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for brown trout and rainbow trout.

Kentucky River (Lower Gorge): Best months for fly fishing are May to September for smallmouth bass and rock bass.

Elkhorn Creek (Frankfort): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for smallmouth bass and muskie.

North Fork of the Kentucky River (Jackson to Booneville): Best months for fly fishing are March to May for rainbow trout and brown trout.

South Fork of the Cumberland River (Williamsburg): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for rainbow trout and brown trout.

Russell Fork River (Breaks Interstate Park): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for smallmouth bass and muskie.

Big South Fork of the Cumberland River (Stearns): Best months for fly fishing are May to October for smallmouth bass and rock bass.

Little River (Hopkinsville): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for smallmouth bass and rock bass.

Licking River (Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for smallmouth bass and muskie.

Dix River (Burgin): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for smallmouth bass and muskie.

Laurel River (London): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for rainbow trout and brown trout.

Salt River (Taylorsville Lake State Park): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for smallmouth bass and rock bass.

Big Sandy River (Louisa): Best months for fly fishing are May to September for smallmouth bass and muskie.

Green River (Munfordville): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for smallmouth bass and rock bass.

Barren River (Bowling Green): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for smallmouth bass and rock bass.

Clarks River (Benton): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for largemouth bass and crappie.

Rough River (Falls of Rough): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for largemouth bass and bluegill.

Tradewater River (Providence): Best months for fly fishing are April to October for largemouth bass and catfish.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Kentucky

These Kentucky-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Shelldivers Guide Service	Dexter, KY
Barren River Lake Fishing Charters	Glasgow, KY
Central Kentucky Crappie Guides	Campbellsville, KY
Thank Goodness I Fly Fish – Hatchery Creek KY	Jamestown, KY

Best Times: Lakes to Fish in Kentucky

Kentucky Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.

Lake Cumberland: Best months for fishing are March to May and September to November, targeting bass, walleye, crappie, and trout.

Barren River Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and muskie.

Dale Hollow Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, walleye, crappie, and trout.

Lake Barkley: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Green River Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.

Rough River Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Laurel River Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and walleye.

Nolin River Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and walleye.

Taylorsville Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.

Lake Malone: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Herrington Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Lake Cumberland (Wolf Creek Dam): Best months for fishing are March to May and September to November, targeting trout, bass, and walleye.

Lake Beshear: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Yatesville Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Cave Run Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, muskie, crappie, and bluegill.

Fishtrap Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Grayson Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Lake Linville: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Buckhorn Lake: Best months for fishing are April to June and September to November, targeting bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Striped Bass

The best time to fish for striped bass in Kentucky is spring and fall. Striped bass are more active during early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for striped bass fishing in Kentucky are Lake Cumberland, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and the Ohio River.

Brown Trout

The best time to fish for brown trout in Kentucky is during the cooler months of spring and fall. Brown trout are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for brown trout fishing in Kentucky are the Cumberland River, Red River Gorge, Rock Creek, and Dale Hollow Lake.

Rainbow Trout

The best time to fish for rainbow trout in Kentucky is during the cooler months of spring and fall. Rainbow trout are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for rainbow trout fishing in Kentucky are the Cumberland River, Red River Gorge, Rock Creek, and Dale Hollow Lake.

Largemouth Bass

The best time to fish for largemouth bass in Kentucky is spring and early summer. Largemouth bass are most active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for largemouth bass fishing in Kentucky are Kentucky Lake, Lake Cumberland, Barren River Lake, and Lake Barkley.

Smallmouth Bass

The best time to fish for smallmouth bass in Kentucky is spring and fall. Smallmouth bass are most active during early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for smallmouth bass fishing in Kentucky are Cumberland River, Dale Hollow Lake, and Green River Lake.

Carp

The best time to fish for carp in Kentucky is spring and summer. Carp are most active during early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for carp fishing in Kentucky are the Ohio River, Kentucky Lake, and Lake Barkley.

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch can be caught in Kentucky during the spring and fall seasons. The best time to fish for perch is during early morning or late afternoon. Kentucky’s best locations for yellow perch fishing are Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and Barren River Lake.

Catfish

The best time to fish for catfish in Kentucky is during the summer and early fall seasons. Catfish are most active during dusk and nighttime hours. Some of the best locations for catfish fishing in Kentucky are the Ohio River, Barren River Lake, and Lake Cumberland.

Crappie

The best time to fish for crappie in Kentucky is spring and fall. Crappie are most active during early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for crappie fishing in Kentucky are Lake Cumberland, Barren River Lake, and Kentucky Lake.

Walleye

The best time to fish for walleye in Kentucky is spring and fall. Walleye are most active during low-light conditions such as early morning or late evening. Kentucky’s best locations for walleye fishing are Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake, and the Ohio River.

White Bass

The best time to fish for white bass in Kentucky is spring and fall. White bass are most active during early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for white bass fishing in Kentucky are Lake Barkley, Kentucky Lake, and the Ohio River.

Musky

The best time to fish for musky in Kentucky is spring and fall. Musky are more active during early morning or late evening hours. Cave Run Lake, Green River Lake, and Lake Cumberland are some of the best locations for musky fishing in Kentucky.

Best Fishing in Kentucky on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

Kentucky Lake: Fish Kentucky Lake for crappie, bluegill, and sauger during the winter months.
Barren River Lake: Bundle up and head to Barren River Lake for fishing opportunities targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Dale Hollow Lake: Brave the cold at Dale Hollow Lake and fish for smallmouth bass, walleye, and trout during the winter season.
Cumberland River: Experience winter fishing on the Cumberland River, where you can catch rainbow trout and brown trout in the chilly waters.
Lake Cumberland: Visit Lake Cumberland and participate in fishing for crappie, striped bass, and catfish, which are active even in the winter months.
Green River Lake: Bundle up and head to Green River Lake for winter angling, targeting species like largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Spring

Kentucky Lake: Enjoy spring fishing at Kentucky Lake, where you can catch bass, crappie, and catfish as the weather warms up.
Cumberland River: Explore the Cumberland River during the spring season and try your luck at catching trout, bass, and catfish.
Barren River Lake: Visit Barren River Lake in the springtime to fish for crappie, bass, and bluegill, which are active during this season.
Green River Lake: Head to Green River Lake and reel in bass, crappie, and catfish as they become more active during the spring months.
Ohio River: Experience the thrill of spring fishing on the Ohio River, where you can target species like catfish, bass, and sauger.
Lake Cumberland: Enjoy fishing at Lake Cumberland in the spring, with opportunities to catch bass, trout, and crappie as they become more active with the changing season.

Summer

Kentucky Lake: Explore the waters of Kentucky Lake during the summer and try your hand at catching bass, crappie, and catfish, which are plentiful during this season.
Lake Barkley: Visit Lake Barkley for summer fishing adventures, targeting species like bass, crappie, and bluegill in the warm waters.
Green River Lake: Head to Green River Lake and reel in bass, catfish, and crappie, which are active and biting during the summer months.
Dale Hollow Lake: Enjoy summer fishing at Dale Hollow Lake, known for its abundant smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and walleye populations.
Cumberland River: Explore the Cumberland River during the summer and fish for bass, catfish, and muskie, which thrive in its flowing waters.
Ohio River: Experience summer angling on the Ohio River, where you can catch catfish, bass, and sauger, enjoying the abundance of fish species in this large river system.

Fall

Cumberland River: Explore the Cumberland River during the fall season and target species like bass, catfish, and walleye, which are active during this time.
Green River Lake: Head to Green River Lake in the autumn months and try your luck at catching bass, crappie, and catfish, which are feeding more actively.
Kentucky Lake: Visit Kentucky Lake during the fall and enjoy fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish, as they prepare for the colder months ahead.
Barren River Lake: Experience fall fishing at Barren River Lake, where you can catch bass, crappie, and bluegill as the water temperature cools down.
Rough River Lake: Explore Rough River Lake in the autumn and reel in bass, crappie, and catfish, taking advantage of the seasonal feeding patterns.
Lake Cumberland: Enjoy fall fishing at Lake Cumberland, targeting bass, walleye, and trout, which are more active during this time of the year.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Tennessee, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ohio, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Arkansas, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Lake of the Ozarks, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Missouri, check out this guide.