Fishing Paintsville Lake

AKA: Paintsville Lake State Park

Popular Fish Species
Paintsville Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Paintsville Lake, KY

Popular Fish Species Paintsville Lake, KY

White Bass Fishing

White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. Numerous successful spawn years have increased the population of white bass in Paintsville Lake, and anglers can expect some great fishing this year. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Paintsville Lake. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. Paintsville Lake is a good place to catch good quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Walleye Fishing

Paintsville Lake is home to a hearty population of walleye. Good fisheries management by Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife and plenty of forage in the lake have them growing fat and healthy. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Paintsville Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, white bass, hybrid striped bass and yellow perch at Paintsville Lake in Kentucky.

Paintsville Lake State Park is a great place for a weekend family camping trip or extended vacation. It is located on the shoes of Paintsville Lake, a 1,140-acre lake in northeast Kentucky. The lake is known for its populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, rainbow trout, yellow perch, catfish, and bluegill. The meandering river, now a lake, creates 57 miles of shoreline. Paintsville Lake Marina rents pontoon boats and fishing boats, has a fishing pier and boat launch ramp...all open year round. Most often, good fishing can be expected for crappie, hybrid striped bass and rainbow trout. Bass and walleye can be good at times, and there is generally good bluegill fishing for the kids. Access for fishing from the bank can be found at numerous places around the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Paintsville Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Paintsville Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Paintsville Lake Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Marina Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Patoker Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Open Fork Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.