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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Missouri, check out this guide.
