Guide To Fishing At Lake Barkley

AKA: Barkley Lake, Barkley Reservoir

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, paddlefish and sauger at Lake Barkley in Tennessee.

With only a third of the lake in the state of Tennessee, Lake Barkley provides excellent fishing for residents and visitors in the northwest sector of TN. This 58,000-acre lake in Kentucky and Tennessee is split by the northern border of TN, just north of Dover. Barkley Lake has a long-standing reputation as an excellent fishery, especially for bass. Along with its sister lake, Kentucky Lake, it is annually included on everyone's top-ten, best bass lakes in the southeast US. In addition, this is an excellent crappie lake, considered by many as one of the best in the country. Catfish, white bass, stripers, sunfish, paddlefish, walleye and sauger also roam these waters in bragging size schools.

Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Lake Video
Contact Info

There are marinas and boat rentals on the lake, plenty of angler-friendly lodging choices, and lots of campgrounds and RV parks. Restaurants, bait and tackle, and convenience stores are all close by.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Barkley

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Barkley Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Marinas

Bumpus Marina
197 Marina Rd
Bumpus Mills, TN 37028
931 232-5238

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Hickman Shores Road Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, west side, just north of Donelson Parkway, this is a single-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Neville Bay Lake Access
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Neville Bay Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.