Fishing At Kentucky Lake

Excellent Fishing In Tennessee

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, chain pickerel, paddlefish and sauger at Kentucky Lake in Tennessee.

The largest manmade lake in the eastern US, Kentucky Lake is a 160,000-acre reservoir in Kentucky and Tennessee. Located at the northwest Kentucky border, 60 miles west of Nashville, it is easily accessed from all directions, including I-40 near the southern end of the lake. Healthy populations of most fresh-water species reside in these fertile waters. Famous for excellent bass fishing, Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley annually appear in the Bassmaster Top 100 bass lakes in the USA. Along with legendary bass catches, Kentucky Lake has exceptional crappie, catfish and striped bass fishing. The long list of species residing in the lake also includes catfish, white bass, sunfish, sauger, chain pickerel and others. More than half a dozen marinas, on the TN portion of the lake alone, are there to serve boaters and anglers with fuel, boat rentals, fishing gear, food, and boating supplies. Camping, picnicking and lodging options surround the lake in almost every direction. Boat ramps galore make for simple launching of most any pleasure and fishing boats. Canoe and kayak fishing is also popular here. Come enjoy some of the best fishing in TN, here at Kentucky Lake.

Primary fish species residing in Kentucky Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Kentucky Lake 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

Fishing Boat Rentals

Buchanan Resort Marina
Rentals: Pontoons and kayaks
731 642-7708

Paris Landing Pontoon Rental
Rentals: Pontoon boats
731 333-7259

Marinas

Buchanan Resort Marina
785 Buchanan Resort Rd
Springville, TN 38256
731 642-7708

Cane Creek Marina & RV Campground
530 Cane Creek Boat Dock Ln
Stewart, TN 37175
931 721-3483

Eagle Bay Marina
6565 Turkey Creek Rd
Waverly, TN 37185
931 296-4144

Sunset Bay Resort And Marina
60 Mansard Island Dr
Springville, TN 38256
731 642-5590

The Breakers Marina
526 Shamrock Rd
Buchanan, TN 38222
731 232-8399

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Boswell Landing Backcountry
Located mid lake, east side, off Boswell Landing Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, gravel parking.

Buchanan Resort Marina Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Buchanan Resort Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Danville Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located on the east side of the lake, north side of the entrance to Cane Creek, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Gray's Landing Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, just north of the Donelson Parkway Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Paris Landing Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, just north of the Donelson Parkway Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Piney Campground Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Piney Campground Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Port Road Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Port Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Click here for a Tennessee Fishing License.