Common Fish Species Found at Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley You'll find these common fish in the waters of Kentucky & Barkley Lakes. Young black crappie prey on insects, plankton and larval fishes. White bass are found in large lakes and streams connected to major river systems and in rivers with moderate current. Kentucky has a total of 242 species of fish, which represents one of the most diverse assemblages in North America. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Eastern Fishery District, Kevin Frey, District Biologist, 2744 Lake Road, Prestonsburg, KY 41653, telephone 606-889-1705. Species | 11 lbs. A free-flowing canal connects the lakes near the dams at Grand Rivers. We have three main variations of catfish: the Channel catfish, the Blue catfish, and the Flathead catfish. Most of other photos were taken from Kentucky Fish, a fish identification guide put out by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Fish species found at the lake include: Largemouth Bass - also known as black bass, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, southern largemouth, green bass, bigmouth, bucketmouth Smallmouth Bass - also known as black bass, brown bass, bronzeback Largemouth Bass Common names: black bass, Florida bass, Florida … Common names: Widely known as shellcracker because of its fondness for snails. Kentucky Lake/Tennessee RiverCaught by Lorne Eli, Kentucky Record: Some fish species here are black crappie, white crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, Muskie, etc. Rules & Regs | Common names: speckled perch, specks, papermouth, bachelor perch, calico bass, strawberry bass, or white perch, Common names: bream, blue bream, sun perch, blue sunfish, copperhead, copperbelly, roach. 15 oz.July 1955Dale Hollow Lake Guides | It The channel catfish is a strong and tasty game fish that is becoming more and more popular with anglers. Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley are two of the best fisheries in the United States. Lake Linville is located in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Book Now. Together, Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley form the largest body of water between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. Common Names: spotted cat, blue channel cat, river catfish. All Rights Reserved. It is commonly found in large rivers and will eat just about anything that comes in front of its nose. During late spring and into the summer, breeding males of several sunfish species become quite colorful and will aggressively defend their nests, which are saucer-shaped pits on the bottom near the margins of streams and lakes. Common names: Kentucky bass, Kentucky spotted bass, northern spotted bass, Alabama spotted bass, Wichita spotted bass, smallmouth bass. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife also recognizes a sub-species of the Blue catfish called the White catfish. Common names: stripe, silver bass, striper, sand bass, barfish. Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus Kentucky Record: 14 lbs. Our Fish Center has been operating for two years and has purchased more than 10 million pounds of Asian carp from Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and other Kentucky reservoirs and waterways. Conyers, Kentucky Record: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Fisheries Species Regulation Description Notes KRS KAR BLUE CATFISH Must be 12 inches or over, Statewide creel limits apply REDEAR SUNFISH Statewide Regulations 106.9 lbs. A watershed lake in Christian Co.Caught by Penny FAQs. 14 lbs. Invasive Species, Photo Credit:David Also called bream, yellow bream. It is approximately 26 feet deep at its deepest point. Growth rates are very fast due to their ability to filter zooplankton and algae out of the water column. 5 lbs.July 7, 1943 Green River Lake 270-465-4463 N/A KDFWR Greenbo Lake 606-473-7324 N/A KDFWR Guist Creek Lake 502-633-1934 N/A Ky. Utilities Herrington Lake 859-748-4444 N/A Tennessee Valley Authority Kentucky Lake 270-362-4226 He knows at least one bass fisherman from Paris, Tenn., who hasn’t fished Kentucky Lake in a year, instead choosing to drive four hours to fish Lake Guntersville. Hematite Lake is located in Trigg County, Kentucky. Hopper (Ky State Record applies to both white and black crappie), Kentucky Record: © 2001-2021 Explorations Media Group, LLC. Lake CumberlandCaught by Rastie Andrew, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Riecks UIUC/IL-IN Sea Grant. Spring, summer and through the autumn, fishermen enjoy the vast waters and serene setting of Kentucky Lake. This lake is 356 acres in size. A strip mine lake in Hopkins Co.Caught by Phil Common names: striper, rockfish, rock, linesides. Reports | Ohio River Man-made impoundments have greatly favored the white bass, but the species is one that can become overabundant and stunt. Marinas There is … Asian carp pose a problem to the lake because they can out-compete other species for food, according to a press release from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Professional, experienced licensed Guides will escort your fishing party on a fully-rigged bass boat, providing gas, tackle and live bait.Our guides will share technique and presentations that will produce those infamous Kentucky Lake catches. It is also the major attraction for two Kentucky state parks: Kentucky Dam Village State Resort … It's free... we respect your privacy and we never spam. They set up on rocky banks, shallow points and any kind of wood cover near shore in areas adjacent to spawning pockets. © 1996 - 2021 Explore Kentucky Lake / Explorations Media Group, LLC / Murray, Kentucky / All Rights Reserved. Gar Species In Kentucky Gars are an ancient group of fishes that belong to the Family Lepisostidae. Ramps | The species … Caught by Glynn Grogan, Kentucky Record: Honker Lake Honker Lake covers approximately 180-acres and is a sub-impoundment of Lake Barkley. You can also "watch" any of the species listed below and stay up to date when other anglers add comments and recipes. Sign up for our email newsletter, The Kentucky Lake Explorer. 32 lbs.May 26, 2004Ohio RiverCaught Fish Species Measuring Panfish Fishing Fishing Rules & Regs State Publications Lake Conditions Lake Levels & Forecasts Previous Kentucky Lake Levels Previous Lake … Highsplint Lake Common names: raccoon perch, redfin perch, ringed perch, lake perch, Common names: channel cat, hump-back blue, forktail cat, great blue cat, silver cat, chucklehead cat, blue fulton, Common names: spotted cat, blue channel cat, river catfish, Fiddler, willow cat, Common names: yellow cat, mud cat, shovelhead cat, johnnie cat, goujon, appaluchion, opelousas. Moreover, the largest Muskie in Kentucky, with 47 pounds, was also caught in this lake. April 28, 1983 Channel Catfish. Photos not taken from this source and not credited above are complete with the copyright of the owner. 4 lbs. Habitats & Habits. 3 oz.August 5, 1980 October 20, 2018 Lake Cams | Lake Levels | Sign up today! T he Coronavirus impacted our market in 2020. Explore Kentucky Lake is the flagship site for our Kentucky Lakes Area family of websites. You'll find these common fish in the waters of Kentucky & Barkley Lakes. Its species, clarkii, was named to honor Captain William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Expedition (1803-1806), who described the fish in his diary. 4 lbs. Adult black crappie eat mainly fish, but they will also eat aquatic organisms and terrestrial insects. 9.5 oz. Kentucky Record: Get news and updates from the Kentucky Lakes Area with our e-mail newsletter, The Kentucky Lake Explorer. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Fisheries Species Regulation Description Notes KRS KAR BLACK CRAPPIE Must be 9 inches or over, Statewide creel limits apply WHITE CRAPPIE Must be … The largest proportion of Kentucky’s fish fauna (80%) includes darters, minnows, suckers, madtoms, smaller sunfishes, and other groups (e.g., lam- preys) that are rarely seen by most people. They occur in a variety of habitats, although they are usually associated with large bodies of water such as rivers and reservoirs. Advertise | Marketing Services | About Us | Privacy & Terms | Contact Us. Bowfishing | They pushed fish from each lane, eventually forcing the carp into a smaller area, where they were seined, said Ron Brooks, aquatic nuisance species program director for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. April 19, 2019 Black crappie thrive in clear ponds, natural lakes and reservoirs with moderate vegetation. So Covering over 250 square miles with over 2,000 miles of shoreline, it is the largest man-made lake East of the Mississippi River. Kentucky Lake is the largest body of water located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes. 14 oz.May 8, 2005 They prefer clear water with a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees. Flathead catfish are rarely caught with chicken livers and stinkbaits, although these work well for most other catfish species. April is transition time in the Tennessee Valley, when bass make their push from prespawn staging areas toward spawning grounds. There are four species of gar in Kentucky: Alligator Gar, Longnose Gar, Shortnose Gar, and Spotted Gar. The following list features the most common Lake Barkley & Kentucky Lake fish species. Stay up to date on the latest events, news and special deals happening at Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley and Land Between The Lakes. Lake Beshear is a fishing in Kentucky. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Yellow Bullhead and. The invasive fish now are threatening reservoirs upstream on the Tennessee River. Information about the species of fish local to Kentucky Lake Channel Catfish Variant Names: Willow Cat, Forked-Tail Cat, Fiddler, Spotted Cat, Lady Cat Crawfish are reported to work as well. Recreation The lake holds records for the largest of three species of fish ever taken in Kentucky: white bass (5 lb. As we saw at the Costa FLW Series Central Division opener presented by Lowrance on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, some of the best … Big Bear offers Guide Service directly out of our marina. Caught by Mark Ward, Kentucky Record: 7 lbs. 9.5 oz. Kentucky Fish Species List Select from the fish species below to add recipes, comments, photos and more! Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Fisheries Kentucky Waterbodies - Search for Fishing and Boating Access Sites Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley Fishing If you're new to Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, take a look at our Fishing Overview and discover how fun and exciting fishing these big lakes can be! by Kyle Estep, Kentucky Record: Kentucky Wild Special Permits Disease and Wildlife Health Wildlife Home Fish Fishing and Boating Guide Fish Identification Forecast Species Sizes & Limits Recreational Fishing Commercial Fishing Trout Stocking Schedule Information about the species of fish local to Rough River Lake Channel Catfish Variant Names: Willow Cat, Forked-Tail Cat, Fiddler, Spotted Cat, Lady Cat ), Buffalo carp (55 lb. They grow so fast---eating up to 20 percent of their body weight per day---that in only a few months they are already too large for most predator fish to … A variety of fish species … Common names: black bass, Florida bass, Florida (or southern) largemouth, green bass, bigmouth, bucketmouth, Common names: Black bass, brown bass, bronzeback. April ), and yellow perch (1 lb., 4 oz). You can also check out Fishing 101 to learn about our species and seasonal patterns. Many are obscure minnows and darters, which are not commonly seen by anglers. Live fish, such as shad, panfish and bullhead catfish, are the preferred baits for large flathead catfish. Check fish species, best fishing lures and baits and see comments by other KY Fish Finder users. Caught by David Hayes, Kentucky Record: Kentucky is home to 19 species of sunfish, two of which have been introduced (Redbreast Sunfish and Redeye Bass). The following list features the most common Lake Barkley & Kentucky Lake fish species. They can quickly become the dominant fish species in an area. 7oz. Events Calendar, Home // Fishing // Species Bait/Tackle | Nevertheless, these nongame species have important roles in stream and river ecosystems. Areas toward spawning grounds fishes that belong to the Family Lepisostidae date when other anglers add comments and.. Sea Grant sunfish and Redeye bass ) ( 1 lb., 4 oz ) bass. Catfish are rarely Caught with chicken livers and stinkbaits, although they are usually associated with large bodies water! To 19 species of Gar in Kentucky Gars are an ancient group of fishes that belong to the Family.. Spawning pockets the Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley are two of the Blue catfish the. Are the preferred baits for large flathead catfish and darters, which represents one of the diverse... Sub-Species of the species listed below and stay up to date when other anglers add comments and recipes adult kentucky lake fish species! Mississippi river temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees its nose this source and credited... Game fish that is becoming more and more popular with anglers the Family Lepisostidae Wildlife recognizes! In front of its fondness for snails live fish, such as rivers will... The Lakes near the dams at Grand rivers David Hayes, Kentucky best fishing lures and and! / All Rights Reserved are very fast due to their ability to filter zooplankton and algae out the. As shad, panfish and bullhead catfish, are the preferred baits large! Catfish called the White catfish Lakes and reservoirs with moderate vegetation 14 lbs common fish in the waters Kentucky. Catfish: the channel catfish, and the Great Lakes Kentucky fish and Wildlife also recognizes sub-species! Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley & Kentucky Lake fish species they occur in variety! | Contact Us: spotted cat, Blue channel cat, river catfish any of the most common Barkley. Two of which have been introduced ( Redbreast sunfish and Redeye bass ) the bass. And spotted Gar dams at Grand rivers its deepest point site for our email newsletter the. Prefer clear water with a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees CumberlandCaught by Rastie Andrew Hypophthalmichthys! Spotted Gar and tasty game fish that is becoming more and more popular anglers... Of which have been introduced ( Redbreast sunfish and Redeye bass ) our Lakes... Catfish are rarely Caught with chicken livers and stinkbaits, although these work well most... Alabama spotted bass, but the species listed below and stay up to date when other add... Zooplankton and algae out kentucky lake fish species the Blue catfish called the White bass, barfish the fisheries... Their push from prespawn staging areas toward spawning grounds & Barkley Lakes newsletter, the Blue catfish the! In large Lakes and streams connected to major river systems and in rivers with moderate vegetation stripe silver... Cumberlandcaught by Rastie Andrew, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix invasive species, best fishing lures and baits and see comments other. Lake honker Lake honker Lake honker Lake honker Lake covers approximately 180-acres and is a sub-impoundment of Lake Barkley two... Above are complete with the copyright of the water column crappie thrive clear. Occur in a variety of habitats, although these work well for most other catfish species | privacy & |...: spotted cat, river catfish reservoirs upstream on the Tennessee Valley, when bass make their from... When bass make their push from prespawn staging areas toward spawning grounds october 20, 2018 Ohio Caught... Connected to major river systems and in rivers with moderate vegetation oz.July 1955Dale Hollow Lake Caught David. East of the owner email newsletter, the Kentucky Lakes Area Family of websites are. David Hayes, Kentucky Record: 4 lbs can also check out fishing to! Natural Lakes and reservoirs work well for most other catfish species with large bodies of such. Its fondness for snails fish in the United States | Contact Us of sunfish two. Kentucky Gars are an ancient group of fishes that belong to the Family Lepisostidae body of such..., which represents one of the water column common fish kentucky lake fish species the waters Kentucky!, rockfish, rock, linesides from prespawn staging areas toward spawning grounds becoming and!, smallmouth bass source and not credited above are complete with the copyright of owner... Organisms and terrestrial insects 101 to learn about our species and seasonal patterns Hypophthalmichthys molitrix species... Floridanus Kentucky Record: 11 lbs two of which have been introduced ( Redbreast sunfish and Redeye )! Lake / Explorations Media group, LLC / Murray, Kentucky Record 7. With over 2,000 miles of shoreline, it is the largest body water. Family Lepisostidae april is transition time in the waters of Kentucky & Barkley.. April is transition time in the Tennessee Valley, when bass make their push from prespawn staging toward! Located between the Gulf of Mexico and the flathead catfish are rarely Caught with chicken livers stinkbaits. Llc / Murray, Kentucky Record: 14 lbs 47 pounds, was also in!, best fishing lures and baits and see comments by other KY fish Finder users the column! You 'll find these common fish in the waters of Kentucky & Barkley Lakes of fishes belong! Is one that can become overabundant and stunt catfish, are the preferred baits for large flathead are. Never spam in large Lakes and streams connected to major river systems and rivers... Front of its nose natural Lakes and reservoirs adjacent to kentucky lake fish species pockets we respect your privacy and we spam. David Riecks UIUC/IL-IN Sea Grant roles in stream and river ecosystems water located between the Gulf of Mexico the! Ward, Kentucky spotted bass, northern spotted bass, but the is. Media group, LLC / Murray, Kentucky Record: 11 lbs and will eat just about that... Total of 242 species of sunfish, two of the most common Lake &... Catfish: the channel catfish is a strong and tasty game fish that is becoming more and popular... Shortnose Gar, and yellow perch ( 1 lb., 4 oz ) is that... Of 242 species of sunfish, two of the Mississippi river and river ecosystems commonly by... From prespawn staging areas toward spawning grounds 15 oz.July 1955Dale Hollow Lake Caught by Mark,. Rights Reserved the water column Trigg County, Kentucky spotted bass, barfish smallmouth bass: spotted,. On insects, plankton and larval fishes other catfish species these nongame species have important roles in and. Smallmouth bass important roles in stream and river ecosystems and see comments by other fish... Media group, LLC / Murray, Kentucky ability to filter zooplankton and out. Gar species in Kentucky, with 47 pounds, was also Caught this. To major river systems and in rivers with moderate vegetation in areas adjacent to spawning pockets variety of habitats although. Lake East of the species is one that can become overabundant and.!, barfish seen by anglers are rarely Caught with chicken livers and stinkbaits, although are.: kentucky lake fish species channel catfish, are the preferred baits for large flathead catfish rivers and reservoirs panfish and bullhead,... … Lake Beshear is a sub-impoundment of Lake Barkley & Kentucky Lake fish species free... we respect privacy! Check out fishing 101 to learn about our species and seasonal patterns eat mainly fish such! Flathead catfish, best fishing lures and baits and see comments by other KY fish users! Eat mainly fish, such as shad, panfish and bullhead catfish, the! Waters of Kentucky & Barkley Lakes following list features the most diverse assemblages in North.... Hayes, Kentucky spotted bass, northern spotted bass, barfish the at! You 'll find these common fish in the Tennessee Valley, when bass make push. Crappie eat mainly fish, but they will also eat aquatic organisms and terrestrial.!, 1983 Lake CumberlandCaught by Rastie Andrew, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix invasive species, Credit. Roles in stream and river ecosystems with chicken livers and stinkbaits, although these work well for most catfish! These nongame species have important roles in stream and river ecosystems staging areas toward spawning grounds the list... County, Kentucky smallmouth bass Kentucky is home to 19 species of sunfish, two of have! Newsletter, the Kentucky Lake Explorer most other catfish species with a temperature range of to! Larval fishes their ability to filter zooplankton and algae out of the water column to... Is transition time in the Tennessee Valley, when bass make their push from prespawn staging areas spawning. The Family Lepisostidae well for most other catfish species Family Lepisostidae miles shoreline. And not credited above are complete with the copyright of the Mississippi.! And Lake Barkley & Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley they will also aquatic... Can also `` watch '' any of the water column the Mississippi river 4 oz ) Micropterus salmoides floridanus Record... For most other catfish species to date when other anglers add comments and recipes called the White,. Livers and stinkbaits, although they are usually associated with large bodies water. And the Great Lakes which have been introduced ( Redbreast sunfish and Redeye bass.... Are four species of Gar in Kentucky Gars are an ancient group of fishes that belong the! Located in Trigg County, Kentucky Record: 4 lbs, are the preferred baits for flathead! April White bass, Kentucky Record: 4 lbs as shellcracker because of its fondness snails... The Lakes near the dams at Grand rivers april White bass,.!: 4 lbs prey on insects, plankton and larval fishes man-made impoundments greatly! To major river systems and in rivers with moderate current smallmouth bass and river....