Fishing

Crappie & Catfish Ready for Cleaning
Doug Wynn

Fishing in Land Between The Lakes

Bass, crappie, catfish, redear and other panfish are commonly sought after at Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

Additionally, Land Between The Lakes features four smaller lakes and several ponds for those looking to eliminate water.

In LBL, there are nearly two-dozen lake access areas with launch ramps that are free of charge. 

Outside LBL, across the waters of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, there are many marinas to stock up on fuel, bait, ice, supplies, food and drinks and more.

Kentucky and Tennessee have reciprocal fishing license agreements so you don't have to follow the state lines when on Kentucky Lake between Eggners Ferry Bridge (US 68/KY 80) at the Paris Landing Bridge (US 79).

Fishing Reports & News

You can obtain in-depth current fishing reports on Explore Kentucky Lake.  There are several how-to articles on the site as well as creel and size limit information, tournaments, navigation charts and much more.

Fishing Guides

Need some help fishing Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley? Here are our recommend fishing guides available for hire.

Kick'n Bass Guide Service

Captain Richard Bay
Benton, KY  42044
270-205-7603
  • Full Time Guide
  • Fish for all Species
  • HD Electronics
  • Lowe Fishing Pontoon
  • State-of-the-Art
Don't let our name fool ya... we fish for all species of game fish. Kick'n Bass Guide Service brings over a decade of experience in angling on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes! Guiding for the novice to the pro.
Kick'n Bass Guide Service

Captain Penrod's Guide Service

68 Kit Carson Lane
Benton, KY  42025
270-804-5276
  • US Coast Guard Lic.
  • Licensed/Insured
  • All Skill Levels
  • Tourney Prep Trips
  • Fully Equipped Boats
All skill levels welcome! We fish both Kentucky & Barkley lakes with a fully-equipped 20' bass boat (tackle, bait, GPS and Sonar). We also have a handicapped-accessible pontoon boat available for larger groups.
Captain Penrod's Guide Service

Crappie Gills N' More

157 Chase Loop
Benton, KY  42025
270-703-7600
  • Equipment Provided
  • Family-Friendly
  • No Alcohol
  • 4 & 6-hour Trips
  • Hummingbird Tech
  • '19 Excel Bay Pro 230
  • 250 HP Suzuki Engine
  • Taxidermy Service
With 50 years of experience fishing Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, let me give you a fishing experience you'll not forget! Fish with me for crappie, bluegill, redear and catfish. My specialty is trolling for crappie with my custom-painted crankbaits and longlines. Fully licensed!
Crappie Gills N' More

Weakley's Guide Service

Brad Weakley
Benton, KY  42025
270-354-9974
  • Fish Cleaned
  • Fish Packaged
  • USCG Certified
  • Licensed & Insured
  • Largemouth
  • Smallmouth
  • White Bass
  • Bluegill
Weakley's Guide Service

Captain Kirk's Guide Service

11442 US Hwy 68 East
Benton, KY  42025
270-354-6017
  • 25+ Years Experience
  • Licensed & Insured
  • 20-ft Bass Boat
  • US Coast Guard Lic.
  • Ky State Lic.
  • All Species
  • Year-Round Trips
I fish for every game species in the lake: Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Red Ears, Bluegills, White Bass, Stripers, Sauger, Catfish and even Yellers. The fact that this lake has such species diversity is one of it's many attributes. Something is ALWAYS biting!! I have been a full time guide on this lake for 25 years.
Captain Kirk's Guide Service

Angling Adventures with John Morgan

2060 Turner Rd.
Murray, KY  42071
270-978-0307
  • Licensed for 17 Years
  • Multi-Species Angling
  • Year-Round Fishing
  • Technique Teaching
  • GPS Welcomed
Don't spend your whole trip looking for fish, let me put you on them. I personally guarantee your satisfaction with your trip.
Angling Adventures with John Morgan

Rodney Hairgrove Guide Service

30 Big Bear Resort Rd
Benton, KY  42025
270-362-0147
  • 20 Years Exp.
  • 20' Ranger Z520
  • Crappie & Bass
  • Bluegill & Redear
  • Licensed & Insured
  • Fish Cleaning
  • Friendly Service
  • Latest Technology
Out of Big Bear Resort on Kentucky Lake, licensed fishing guide Rodney Hairgrove takes fishermen on his fully-rigged bass boat to secluded bays of deep waters ideal for luring bass, crappie, smallmouth, panfish, sauger, white bass and catfish anglers.
Rodney Hairgrove Guide Service

Papa's Fishin' For Fun

300 Whippoorwill Cove
Benton, KY  42025
815-761-7287
  • 35+ Years Experience
  • 22" EBBTide Mystique
  • Licensed & Insured
  • Family Fishing
  • Children Welcome
  • All Equip. Supplied
  • Coast Guard Cap. Lic.
  • USCG Auxiliary Mem.
I have a captain's license with the Coast Guard and I am a licensed fishing guide with Kentucky. My boat is rated to carry 12 people, so it's not a problem to take out up to six folks at a time. My Ebbtide features high gunnels, so it's great for young kids and older adults.
Papa's Fishin' For Fun

Brandon Hunter Fishing

399 Dusty Trail Road
Benton, KY  42025
270-703-7777
  • FLW Touring Pro
  • Electronics Training
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Tourney Prep Trips
  • U.S. CG Lic/Ins
  • CPR/First Aid
  • Ranger Z520C
Fish with Brandon Hunter, a professional fishing guide for Kentucky Lake. Fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass just for fun or have Brandon help you prep for your next tournament. Sonar help also available.
Brandon Hunter Fishing