Fisherman’s Paradise
Some of the best freshwater fishing in the country can be experienced at Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley! With a combined 218,000 acres of water, these lakes are known for excellent fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, redear, and yellow and white bass.
During the winter months, many boaters take advantage of the water’s view to watch eagles nesting in tall trees along the shoreline and swooping down to feeding on fish. Other migratory birds pass through the area making bird watching a must for outdoor enthusiasts. For those that like to hunt more than watch, those migratory birds include geese and ducks.
Late winter brings out the anglers for some crappie fishing, which will last well into May. In February and March the crappie are found in deeper water along the secondary creek channels, but move very shallow by April. By then, largemouth bass anglers are starting to enjoy some trophy bass fishing.
Largemouth bass stay active along the shoreline throughout the spring, and move to the deeper ledges by summer. During late summer, fishing shallow for feeding bass in the backs of embayments offers some great topwater action. Follow that up with some fall Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley fishing along the rocky shoreline and woody structure.
If you prefer some relaxing fishing for panfish, such as bluegill, Kentucky Lake offers that also. However, be ready to have your line stretched. Kentucky Lake offers some nice size bluegill, but is also home to the 2-pound redear. The redear belong in the sunfish family, but feed along the bottom for snails and small clams, hence the name shell crackers.
Helpful resources
- Kentucky Lake fishing reports
- Kentucky Lake fishing guides
- General fishing information
- Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area
- Bait and Tackle
- Ken’s Bait shop in Lake City (270-362-4232)
- Licenses
- Ken’s Bait Shop (270-362-4323)
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife (877-597-2401)
Need a place to stay? Be sure to browse our cottages and book your stay with Lighthouse Landing and Resort and Marina!
