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Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Tennessee, United States

4.4·5173 catches

Top fish species at Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River

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Check which species have trophy potential in Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River

Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River fishing reports

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Blue catfish

length · weight

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Wiper

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White bass

length · weight

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Longear sunfish

length · weight

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Longear sunfish

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Yellow bass

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General info

Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River is a lake located in Benton County, Tennessee, United States. It is also intersecting with Calloway County, Kentucky and Decatur County, Tennessee. It is most popular for fishing Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Channel catfish.

Location

36°02′47.6″N 88°00′0.1″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River, TN

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Tennessee can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryTennessee State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Bow Fishing

Harvest of this species by bow fishing is prohibited.

TN Hook Restriction

Anglers in Tennessee are restricted to a maximum of 3 hooks per rod, pole, or hand-held line. Single, double, or treble hooks each count as one hook. The statewide hook restriction does not apply when using a sabiki rig or piscatore rig to take shad or herring.

Required licenses
Purchase your Tennessee fishing license on the Go Outdoors Tennessee website.
Additional information
No size limit. No more than 5 black bass per day in any combination of species may be taken. This aggregate limit includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, and Coosa Bass.Several waters have exceptions to these statewide limits. Refer to TWRA for a full list of exceptions to statewide limits.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Season open: year-round
Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

Regulation boundaryTennessee State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Bow Fishing

Harvest of this species by bow fishing is prohibited.

TN Hook Restriction

Anglers in Tennessee are restricted to a maximum of 3 hooks per rod, pole, or hand-held line. Single, double, or treble hooks each count as one hook. The statewide hook restriction does not apply when using a sabiki rig or piscatore rig to take shad or herring.

Required licenses
Purchase your Tennessee fishing license on the Go Outdoors Tennessee website.
Additional information
No size limit. No more than 5 black bass per day in any combination of species may be taken. This aggregate limit includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, and Coosa Bass.Several waters have exceptions to these statewide limits. Refer to TWRA for a full list of exceptions to statewide limits.
Synonyms
Micropterus dolomieui
Season open: year-round
Channel catfish

Channel catfish

Regulation boundaryTennessee State Waters
Memorable / trophy limits1 > 34

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Restrictions & requirements

TN Hook Restriction

Anglers in Tennessee are restricted to a maximum of 3 hooks per rod, pole, or hand-held line. Single, double, or treble hooks each count as one hook. The statewide hook restriction does not apply when using a sabiki rig or piscatore rig to take shad or herring.

Required licenses
Purchase your Tennessee fishing license on the Go Outdoors Tennessee website.
Additional information
Only one catfish over 34 inches may be harvested per day. This aggregate trophy limit includes Channel, Blue and Flathead Catfish. No harvest limit on catfish less than 34 inches.Several waters have exceptions to these statewide limits. Refer to TWRA for a full list of exceptions to statewide limits.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Channel Catfish by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Ictalurus punctatus
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Local laws and licenses

Tennessee fishing license

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Reviews of Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River

4.4
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59 ratings

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1
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Cities nearby

Eva

1.6 miles away

Waverly

12.5 miles away

Big Sandy

13.7 miles away

Holladay

14.5 miles away

Hollow Rock

15.3 miles away

Tennessee Ridge

23.0 miles away

Lobelville

23.4 miles away

Paris

24.1 miles away

Erin

24.9 miles away

Clarksburg

25.1 miles away

Henry

25.3 miles away

Buchanan

29.0 miles away

Cumberland City

30.7 miles away

Dover

31.3 miles away

Decaturville

32.8 miles away

Puryear

33.0 miles away

Slayden

34.3 miles away

Lexington

34.6 miles away

Centerville

34.7 miles away

Trezevant

34.8 miles away

Dickson

35.4 miles away

Hazel

36.5 miles away

Charlotte

38.1 miles away

Big Rock

39.0 miles away

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FAQ about Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River fishing

📍 Where is Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River located?
Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River is a lake located in Benton County, Tennessee, United States. It is also intersecting with Calloway County, Kentucky and Decatur County, Tennessee. Its coordinates are:
36°02′47.6″N 88°00′0.1″W
.
🎣 Where on Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River?
The most common species in Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River are:
📢 What are the latest Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River fishing reports?
The latest Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Kentucky Lake / Tennessee River?

Fishing in Tennessee requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term, available online or at authorized retailers.

In Tennessee, no fishing license is required for anglers under 13 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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