Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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Kentucky
State, United States. Authority : Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$58.14Resident 3-Year Fishing
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 76.2 cmMuskellunge
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 76.2 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Floating weight-forward fly line, 30 mFor : brown trout, rainbow trout, grayling · fly fishing (dry fly and nymph)
€27.90£13.90Not shipped to the United States
Responsible gearFolding Triangle Landing Net, 47 cm FoldedFor : brown trout, rainbow trout, european perch · fly fishing (dry fly and nymph)
€37.90£18.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
"Fishing season is open year-round in Kentucky, except on waterfowl refuges and as otherwise noted in this guide." Trout permit required to keep trout.
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–80 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass1 statewide; many lakes have special limits (e.g. 15 in) | 30.5 cm | |
| Smallmouth bass1 statewide; Kentucky (spotted) and Coosa bass: no minimum | 30.5 cm | |
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids1 statewide | 35.6 cm | |
| Muskellunge1 statewide | 76.2 cm | |
| Brown trout1 statewide; cutthroat 20 in; brook trout catch-and-release | 40.6 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 76.2 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky, Coosa combined)1 possession 12 | 6 per day |
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids (combined)1 statewide | 6 per day |
| Muskellunge1 statewide | 1 per day |
| Chain pickerel1 statewide, no minimum size | 5 per day |
| Rainbow trout1 statewide (5 in FINs lakes); brown trout 1 | 8 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing1 | annual (license year March 1 - last day of February) | US$24.31 |
| Resident Joint Married Couple Annual Fishing1 | annual | US$44.38 |
| Resident 1-Day Fishing1 | 1-day | US$7.40 |
| Resident 3-Year Fishing1 | 3-year | US$58.14 |
| Nonresident Annual Fishing1 | annual | US$58.14 |
| Nonresident 1-Day Fishing1 | 1-day | US$15.86 |
| Nonresident 7-Day Fishing1 | 7-day | US$37 |
| Trout Permit1 | annual | US$10.57 |
| Resident Combination Hunting/Fishing1 | annual | US$44.39 |
| Senior (65+) or Disabled Sportsman's License (includes fishing + trout permit)1 | annual | US$12.68 |
- Ages and exemptions1
- Residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger do not need a fishing license (the licence table note also says youths under 12 need no license or permit). Residents 65 or older may buy the Senior Sportsman's License ($12.68, includes fishing and trout permit). Free Fishing Days June 6-7, 2026.
Good to know
Year-round season. Black bass 6/day combined, 12-in minimum for largemouth and smallmouth only. Walleye/sauger 14 in, 6/day. Muskie 30 in, 1/day. No northern pike in statewide table (chain pickerel 5/day). Fees now indexed to inflation every two years (from January 2026).
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- fw.ky.gov renvoie 403 / « request is blocked » le 2026-09-23 : tarifs et règles lus dans le guide officiel 2026-27 via une copie web.archive.org ; URL exacte de la page d'achat en ligne non vérifiée (lien_achat = site KDFWR)
- Pas de permis 3 ou 7 jours pour les résidents (7 jours non-résident seulement)
- Brochure contradictoire sur l'âge : « ages 15 and younger » exemptés (Who needs a license) vs note « youths under the age of 12 » sous le tableau — retenu 15 ans et moins
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Cumberland reservoir View on the map
- Kentucky Lake reservoir View on the map
- Lake Barkley reservoir View on the map
- Cave Run Lake reservoir View on the map
- Rough River Lake reservoir View on the map
- Green River Lake reservoir View on the map
- Herrington Lake reservoir View on the map
- Barren River Lake reservoir View on the map
- Laurel River Lake reservoir View on the map
- Lake Cumberland Tailwater river View on the map
- Licking River river View on the map
- Green River - Upper river View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Kentucky in 2026?
The “Resident 3-Year Fishing” licence costs US$58.14 (3-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Kentucky?
Muskellunge: 76.2 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide, Regulations Summary March 2026 - February 2027 (KDFWR, lu via web.archive.org) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- KDFWR – License & Permit Pricing (bloqué le 2026-09-23 : 403) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.