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.  You can access the LBL Fishing Fact Sheet for details on areas inside LBL.

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 Reports
• Fishing 101
• Fish Species
• Rules & Regulations
• Lake Levels

Fishing Guides

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

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.

Sugar Creek Charters

300 Woodlawn Ave.
Murray, KY  42071
(270) 978-0885

Licensed & Insured Bass/Crappie/Panfish Pontoon Trips Crankbait Trolling

Spider Rigging Equipment Supplied 20' Skeeter 20' Pontoon

Featuring two fully rigged boats to suit your fishing needs. We can help you with tournament prep, or take the family out to make some good memories on either of these beautiful lakes! We are fully licensed and insured in Kentucky and Tennessee. Come make a memory with me!

Woods and Water Guide Service

33 Outland School Road
Murray, KY  42071
(270) 227-2443

Licensed & Insured 40 Years Experience 20' Triton Boat Prime Redear & Bluegill Fishing in May/June

Fully rigged crappie bass boat all tackle provided specializing in spider rigging. Guided spring turkey hunts also available.

Loveless Outdoor Adventures

Murray, KY  42071
270-210-7843

Bowfishing Catfishing Duck Hunting Summer Panfish Trips

24' Sea Ark 4 & 6 Hr. Trips

Damian Loveless offers bowfishing, catfishing and duck hunting guide services in the Kentucky Lake region. He'll even take you "noodling" for catfish.

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.

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!

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.

Kentucky Lake Guide Service

1405 Hubbard's Lane
Bardstown, KY  40004
502-507-4824

30+ Yrs. Exp. Licensed & Insured All Species

Kentucky Lakes Guide Service is proud to be your host for a fishing adventure on our lakes, Barkley and Kentucky.

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.

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.

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.

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

Big Kahuna's Guide Service

227 Cape Fair
Gilbertsville, KY  42044
(270) 559-1366

35 Years Exp. Crappie Catfish Bluegill

White Bass Equip. Furnished Fish Cleaned

Don Schnuck is the owner of Big Kahuna Guide Service. Don has 35 years of experience with fishing Kentucky Lake. He is based out of Moors Resort and specializes in catfish, crappie, white bass, and bluegill.

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.

Cedar Ridge Guide Service

3175 Mt. Sinai Road
Buchanan, TN  38222
(731) 336-8907

Family-friendly 21' Triton/Mercury Bass/Crappie Bluegill/Redear

Licensed/Insured Equipment supplied Fish cleaning incl.

I grew up on the banks of Kentucky Lake. With extensive lake knowledge you're sure to have a successful trip. Come spend a day or two with me and we will catch some fish of your choice. I fish for bass/crappie year around and also bluegill and redear in May and June. All equipment is provided and I'll even clean your fish! Y'all come see me!

Lucky Lady Guide Service

313 Hill Estates Lane
Benton, KY  42025
270-816-3102

Crappie Bluegill Yellow Bass White Bass

USCG Licensed Insured 20' Stratos Lowrance

LLGS provides guided fishing trips on the north end of Kentucky and Barkley lakes. I target the most productive species at that time. I do my best to ensure you take home a good mess of fish to eat! Coast guard licensed and insured. Fish are cleaned and packaged.