Catfish Haven Lake Bar & Grill, in Louisville, KY, is the leading restaurant serving Fort Knox, Pleasure Ridge Park, West Point, Shively, Shepherdsville, Medora and surrounding areas since 1992. Summer usually is the calmest in terms of heavy currents, but caution is always recommended. The first step is perfecting your release. Fried Catfish at Aurora’s Willow Pond When we’re in the Land Between the Lakes area, we know three things for certain: We’re going to have a great time. Lake Barkley also features numerous marinas, incuding Buzzard Rock and Resort Marina, Kuttawa Harbor Marina, and Eddy Creek Marina. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Up in the north and northeastern part of the state, one of the top river catfishing spots in Kentucky can be found in the Licking River system. Much of the business model of these pay lakes (beyond people paying to fish) revolves around them stocking these lakes with big trophy catfish and holding tournaments. At Premier Angler, we believe in being thorough. "Catfish prefer a little deeper water and tend to stay fairly close to it even when they move out to feed," said Prather. Simplify breakfast or brunch for a crowd by making this savory venison chorizo quiche recipe. While only a handful can be considered “the best,” there were quite a few lakes on the cusp. County in midwestern Kentucky, there's a little 26-acre sleeper lake where some recent renovation took place. The Hobie MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system is the pinnacle of kayak control with more efficient fin designs, glide technology and allows the boat to be moved in any direction. Since it sits in the western part of the state, Barkley can be a considerable trip from many Kentucky anglers. Increase a lure’s effectiveness by pairing it with the ideal reel speed. Delicious! Most people visit Cedar Creek Lake to fish for black crappie, channel catfish, bluegill, sunfish and largemouth bass. The Best Catfish Bait – Top 5 Catfish Baits – The five best catfish baits that always catch catfish! Popular bait shops on Lake Barkley include Tom & Barb’s and The Cabin Bait and Tackle. The lake it noted for having excellent sauger, bluegill, catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie fishing, assuring it a spot as one of the best fishing lakes in Kentucky. In fact, the Kentucky state record muskie (as of this writing) was caught on the lake. Blackened and Grilled Catfish at Willow Pond in Aurora…. Almost anyone can catch a bunch of small catfish. Some of the smaller lakes in Prather's district are also hotspots for channel catfish, many of which are supported through the KDFWR stocking program. The house was built in 1794 and used as a gathering spot. If you don't get a bite you can't catch the monster catfish! Bass are also a staple on the lake. Also, the lakes below are not listed in any particular order. During the spawning period in late April through May, anglers are going to find catfish along rocky shoreline areas, around riprap banks and in the canal between the two lakes. Below, you will find the criteria our team used in order to determine which lakes should make this cut. Popular fish species on Dale Hollow Lake include black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, freshwater drum, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskie, white bass, channel catfish, red-ear sunfish, and walleye. If you are serious about finding the best fishing lakes in Kentucky, you have come to the right place. I got to fish for other species like bluegills and bass, but as a kid, the fascination of catching and observing a catfish was what I was taken with the most when those trips came around. |   Michelle @Black Hills PR: Pulled pork sandwich and buttermilk pie. If you're interested in trying it a little different way, hand-grabbing a 20-pounder out from under a rock ledge is surely a change from the usual, but can yield some incredible catches if you've got the nerve. If you make a purchase through one of those links, we may receive a small commission that, in turn, helps support the associated costs of maintaining this website. A 120 lbs. The lake it noted for having excellent sauger, bluegill, catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie fishing, assuring it a spot as one of the best fishing lakes in Kentucky. A good number of flatheads, he found, were up in the headwaters of Fishtrap where the river channel begins widening into a reservoir. Over the holidays (especially the 4th of July), fishing can be compromised. The KDFWR regularly places more than 600 channels in Washburn Lake, and due to the lower fishing pressure, there should be a good number of better than usual catfish available in this lake right now. Rister expects the summer of 2003 to not be much different. Kentucky Lake is also home to some of the best sauger, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white bass, and red-ear sunfish in the Bluegrass State. This Elk Venison Patty Melt Recipe makes the perfect wild game sandwich. While it may fly under the radar at times, the 1,200-acre lake generally produces respectable quantity and size slabs. B.B. Flatheads, blues and channel catfish are all present in our state, and each offers a unique challenge to catfish enthusiasts. Some of the more popular species on Herrington include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, spotted bass, hybrid striped bass, and white bass. Target flats near the channel in the upper section of Dewey Lake. The lake covers 3,050 acres and is located in Spencer, Anderson, and Nelson counties. Channel catfish over 15 inches are common, and the potential to catch some larger blues isn't bad, either. Taylorsville offers excellent fishing for both boat anglers and those casting from shore. These two lakes carry a rich tradition for producing quality catfish, and a reputation for giving up some truly exceptional sized catfish as well. © 2020 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Our server 7. At 784 acres, Cedar Creek Lake is another smaller fishing destination in the Bluegrass State. Many fishing websites simply perform a quick Google search for lakes in a particular state, throw a list together, and move on. Anglers may also want to visit Laurel River Lake if they are looking for some of Kentucky’s best northern pike fishing. Best Catfish in Hopkinsville, Kentucky: Find 127 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of THE BEST Catfish and search by price, location, and more. Catfish aren't only good fighters, but their hardy character allows them to thrive in all types of water bodies from farm ponds to the largest lakes and river systems. As water temperatures warm, catfish move into creek and river channels, and can be taken at greater depths with minnows, cut-up sunfish and other offerings that appeal to both their noses and appetites. The biologist says if you're looking for the big flatheads, most of his sampling showed the larger fish were found in the lower end of the lake. Outside of these record fish, anglers can also expect to find some of Kentucky’s best fishing for multiple other game fish. Laflin also notes that there is an excellent population of channel catfish in Green River Lake, which perhaps could be considered an underutilized resource for area anglers. That said, we are trying to determine the best lakes for fishing in Kentucky, so we are going to rule out streams, creeks, and rivers. There are true 100 lbs. I think anglers should really be out there taking advantage of that resource right now," the biologist added. Fish slowly, and try to keep a relatively tight line so you can get on the fish before it gets you too wrapped up. As of this writing, Kentucky Lake currently is home six state record fish: spotted gar, white bass (tie), bighead carp, smallmouth buffalo, golden shiner, and yellow perch. From... Field Skills: Want to be a better shooter? Some links on this page may direct you to the company's website. As a smaller lake known for its natural beauty, anglers will likely enjoy the relatively small size and absence of watersports enthusiasts. Burgers, hot dogs, chili stack, sides and desserts. Best Catfish in Bardstown, Kentucky: Find 1,638 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of THE BEST Catfish and search by price, location, and more. The last two spots we'll highlight will be our Cat(fish)-Out-Of-The-Bag picks for this summer. There are likewise numerous smaller lakes in Jefferson County such as McNeely, Cherokee, Fisherman's Park, Iroquois Park and others that receive KDFWR catfish. Catfish Lakes in Louisville on YP.com. You can expect to find excellent largemouth bass fishing between early Spring and late Fall. Spots like Beaver, Guist Creek and Kincaid lakes and others are stocked annually or bi-annually to keep a supply available. It has held previous records for both lake trout (12 pounds, 12 ounces) and muskie (43 pounds). Premier Angler is a freshwater fishing resource and brand written, edited, curated, and crafted by fishing enthusiasts for fishing enthusiasts. We also participate in the Bass Pro Shops Affiliate program. At 7,880 acres, Cave Run Lake is a reasonably large fishing destination with good fishing. Blue Catfish leviathans lurking in the river! Covers roughly 53,000 acres, Lake Barkley spans an impressive 134 miles with over 1,000 miles of shoreline. Bank-fishermen can also connect with Ohio River catfish, and the potential in the lower Ohio to hook up with a giant blue or flathead always exists. These areas typically have suitable cover and generally a lot of smaller baitfish to feed on as well. Another entry from eastern Kentucky, Yatesville joins a list of spots that offer great largemouth bass fishing. Post-spawn and early summer fishing — especially during the months of May and June — are prime fishing months on Yatesville. North America encompasses thousands of lakes and rivers that produce catfish in extraordinary numbers and huge sizes. All Rights Reserved. Larry Johns: Try the Lemon-Pepper Catfish with Onion Straws and Sweet fried corn on the cob.It is the best fish you haven't heard about. Winter, however, can be a challenging time of year as water levels are prone to fluctuation. Cut and live bait are good producers for summertime cats in the Green River, especially in the deeper pools, sunken woody structure and along rocky shorelines. Take note, blues as well as flat heads are mostly concentrated in Midwest particularly around lakes which are centered around the Mississippi river which serves as one of their native homes. This is one of the deepest lakes in Kentucky which means a truly big catch could be lurking below. If you want to know which baits work best for catching giant flatheads and monster blue catfish you need to read this page. Dewey Lake and Yatesville Lake in east Kentucky both have burgeoning populations of channel catfish. Shaded banks are usually best, and those with big root wads down deep, or washed-out … See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Fishing Lakes & Ponds in Louisville, KY. The lake is located outside of Crittenden and opened to fishing back in 1955. It might restrict fishing in the immediate tailwaters, which is sometimes where the bigger blues come from," said the biologist. As the lake is situated in central Kentucky (spanning Grayson, Edmonson, and Hart counties), it also offers a great location for anglers in practically any part of the state. The question, however, is simple: how do determine the top 8? In need of a rugged container to sip from in the backcountry? A second-best choice in this region is Buckhorn, also home to both flathead and channel catfish. Slow trolling cut catfish baits can lead to dramatically more bites than still-fishing over an... You don't have to go stinky with catfish baits. Now, we will take a look at the lakes that were determined to have the best fishing in Kentucky. To date, this continues to stand as the world record smallmouth bass. As we mentioned before, please remember that creeks, streams, and river are not included in our rankings. Western District fishery biologist Paul Rister has perhaps the two premier waterways for catfish in all Kentucky running side by side down and through his domain. We've got you covered. If the central Kentucky region is more convenient for a trip, anglers should be considering Taylorsville Lake as the top spot for major lake channel catfishing. If you're looking for a bonus over what usually is found in these smaller, state-owned lakes, try these two spots. Anglers looking to catch crappie, bass, walleye, and catfish in the Bluegrass State will want to give Nolin a chance. Heavy tackle, line and rods are best for big-river fishing to help you be able to turn and guide big cats out of the current, off the rocks and to the net more easily without breakoffs. Most of the fish won't be in really deep water yet, and most any choice of live, cut or organic baits will entice strikes. There they can pick off wounded baitfish, nose through a constant flow of other possible food sources, and have the preferred rocky bottom habitat. The yellow bass record (1 pound, 6.4 ounces) was caught on the lake’s tailwaters in 2009. Lake catfish fishing particularly for blues on the other hand should target clearer waters with faster currents and should definitely be focused on larger lakes for these giants. Feeder creek channels and locations where these channels intersect the main-river channel are hotspots to connect with catfish on Barren. Both had qualities that would warrant a designation as one of Kentucky’s best fishing lakes, but we ultimately had to go with Herrington for a variety of reasons. "Anglers have four high-quality choices actually, and all can be equally as good during the late May through late August period," said Rister. "We generally stock all the 170,000 or so channel catfish in our program each year during the summer months, and they bite best during the time right after we release them," said Ted Crowell, KDFWR assistant fisheries chief. The lake has several boat ramps, access to bank fishing, and a handful of developments planned for the future (as of this writing), including a marina and public beach. Elk burger patties... Field skills: If you want to go long, start training with these tips. Numerous species can be found here, including crappie, bluegill, trout, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. When you’re discussing the best fishing lakes in Kentucky, you have to include Dale Hollow. For over half a century, there hasn’t been a larger smallmouth caught in Kentucky. Catfishing on Barkley this summer gets the same very positive report from Rister as Kentucky Lake does. This may be the single-most reason why so many people fish for them: Their ubiquitous nature and widespread abundance makes them available to practically every angler at any time. Every year, experienced and professional anglers converge upon Kentucky Lake for a variety of tournaments including FLW College Fishing events, the Legacy Marine Open Trail, the Kentucky Bassmasters Classic, and more. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"f74e36e179771503b8ead35dcf6227c73d637795-1609367612-1800"}; Actually, the KDFWR has stocked Bullock Pen and neighboring 92-acre Boltz Lake, also in Grant County, with blue catfish for a research study. If you are a fishing enthusiast and would like to write content for our site, please email us or click here. The best jig fisherman are those that are always aware of what their jig is doing. Catfish Fishing 101 While they don't get much respect in the media or from fishing elites, catfish are one of the most pursued species we have. The Bluegrass State has some excellent fishing lakes. See Monster blues, oversized flatheads, lunker channels – they’re all out there waiting for you in the lakes and rivers on Fishhound’s “50 Best” list for catfish. The first two waters contain channel and flathead catfish, more of the first and some much larger of the latter. Anglers who fish these waters can expect to land some quality largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white crappie, black crappie, channel catfish and bluegill. Blue Catfish was also documented by the FWC but was not caught by rod and reel an eligible for certification. They don’t get up to 100 pounds swimming marathons Outside of record fish, however, the fishery also offers plenty of excellent size and quantity for numerous species. Give a Gift   Fish on! Check it out. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Numerous anglers report regularly pulling in largemouths betweens 3 and 5 pounds. Photo by Ron Sinfelt. You might want to sling a line at Washburn sometime this summer and see what takes off with it. Current Kentucky states records caught here include: Lake Cumberland (Including Tailwaters and Cumberland River), Rainbow Trout: 14 pounds, 6 ounces (1972). Perhaps the most popular species, however, is largemouth bass. Remember to stay on the rocks during late spring and early summer, and move to the channels and deeper dropoffs in July and August. If you leave Lake Barkley, head west, and cross the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, you will land directly on Kentucky Lake. A lot of limbline and jug- fishing goes on in Fishtrap, which is one way to connect with catfish and eliminate some of the waiting it often takes to be successful. Channel catfishing on all three reservoirs, including Yatesville, is rated as good. Michael Cassidy and Paul Pluff talk about their elk hunt in New Mexico using the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter. Most of the better fish are going to be picked up immediately below the locks and dams on live or cut bait drifted through the boils and swifter water just above the bottom. According to Only in Your State, the best just might be Catfish Kitchen located in the sprawling wilderness area known as Land Between the Lakes, set between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in western Kentucky and Tennessee. Many waterways support a good catfish fishery through natural reproduction, while the agency supplements populations of other smaller public lakes and state wildlife management area ponds through a pretty "hardy" stocking program of its own. The depth of water can be critical. Bluegill, channel catfish, and white crappie are also popular species on Yatesville Lake. Fortunately, we are not most other fishing websites. Now the lake is fishable again after being drained and restocked, and so far angling pressure really hasn't picked back up there yet and the potential for some good catfishing is quite good. Located on the border of Kentucky and Tennessee, this lake has had more than its fair share of trophy catches over the years. If you want to stick with the mainstream approach, other top spots in this vicinity to try include Cave Run Lake, Grayson and Yatesville lakes. Jenny Wiley State Resort Park offers a wealth of bank fishing in this part of the lake. Let's take a look at some of the best spots where channel, flathead and blue catfish are, how the quality of fishing will be this summer, and key in on a couple of ways to connect with these sleek and unique underwater predators. While Hayes’ epic catch is the only current Kentucky state record caught on Dale Hollow Lake, its waters have produced several other fallen records over the years. A `` best '' fishing list is like trying to pick America 's best restaurants Greensburg! In 2009 as the world record game fish opened to fishing back in 1955 you do n't get a you. Casting from shore are prone to fluctuation writing, Lake Barkley, you’ll find Commonwealth! In 1943: Pulled pork sandwich and buttermilk pie some links on this page, anglers. Are records nonetheless records for both boat anglers and those casting from shore, but caution is always.., Kuttawa Harbor Marina, Kuttawa Harbor Marina best catfish lakes in ky Kuttawa Harbor Marina, Kuttawa Harbor,. 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