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Kentucky Fishing Records

Fishing in Kentucky is excellent, there are 45 major lakes, countless ponds, and over 62,000 miles of creeks, and rivers.

Kentucky has records for 62 fish species caught within the state. Below you will find each record, what you need to be eligible for a record, and how to submit a record application.

Kentucky Record Fish

SpeciesWeightLocationCaught byDate
Bowfin15.08 lbs.Green RiverNorman Moran
Lexington, KY
05/31/1999
Longnose Gar40 lbs.Ohio RiverKelsie Travis, Jr.
Paducah, KY
08/08/1956
Paddlefish106 lbs.Ohio RiverWilliam Chumbler
Calvert City, KY
03/23/2004
Spotted Gar4 lbs., 7 ozs.Kentucky LakeJonathan Huether
Mt. Washington, KY
07/20/2014
Sturgeon36 lbs., 8 ozs.Lake CumberlandBarney Frazier
Corbin, KY
10/03/1954
Coosa Bass1.21 lbs.Martin’s Fork, Cumberland RiverSeth Goodin Smith, KY05/25/2013
Spotted Bass7 lbs., 10 ozs.Nelson CountyA.E. Sellers
Louisville, KY
06/13/1970
Largemouth Bass14 lbs., 9.5 ozs.Highsplint LakeMark Ward
Evarts, KY
04/19/2019
Smallmouth Bass11 lbs., 15 ozs.*Dale Hollow LakeDavid L. Hayes
Leitchfield, KY
07/09/1955
Striped Bass58 lbs., 4 ozs.Beaver Creek
Lake Cumberland
Roger Foster,
Somerset, KY
12/11/1985
Hybrid Striped Bass20 lbs., 8 ozsBarren River Lake
Tailwaters
Mark Wilson
Louisville, KY
04/27/1991
White Bass5 lbsHerrington LakeB.B. Hardin
Mt. Eden, KY
06/03/1957
Yellow Bass1 lb., 6.4 ozs.Cumberland River
Lake Barkley Tailwaters
William Hinton
Central City, KY
03/19/2009
Bighead Carp65 lbs.
1.0 ozs.
Kentucky RiverEddie Young
Versailles, KY
07/18/2020
Creek Chub0.59 lbs.Otter Creek
Hardin County
Joshua Scott
Louisville, KY
03/26/2006
Blue Sucker8.34 lbs.Ohio RiverStacy L. Boik
Evansville, IN
11/22/2009
Northern Hog Sucker1 lbs., 12 ozs.Slate Creek
Bath County
Larry Salchli
Stanton, KY
04/07/2005
Buffalo55 lbs.Kentucky LakeClinton Roby
Waddy, KY
03/23/2000
Common Carp54 lbs., 14 ozs.South Fork
Licking River
Ricky Vance
Paris, KY
03/13/1971
Golden Redhorse4 lbs., 5 ozs.Red RiverLeif Meadows
Stanton, KY
04/22/1998
Grass Carp58 lbs., 8ozs.Forest Lawn Lake,
Kenton County
Robert Marsh
Erlanger, KY
06/17/2009
River Redhorse9 lbs., 1 oz.Rockcastle River,
Laurel County
Denny Hatfield.
London, KY
09/20/2003
Silver Redhorse5 lbs., 6 ozs.Rockcastle River,
Laurel County
Justin Collins
London, KY
04/17/2010
White Sucker1.63 lbs.Slate Creek,
Montgomery County
Larry S. Salachi
Stanton, KY
03/19/1998
Silver Carp13 lbs., 5 ozs.Cumberland RiverDustin Fitzgerald Gilbertsville, KY02/21/2017
Bluntnose Minnow0.01 lbs.Hood Creek,
Lawrence County
Andy Pelphrey
Stambaugh, KY
06/17/2008
Golden Shiner0.45 lbs.Lake Reba,
Madison County
Billy Rice
Stanton, KY
05/08/2020
Spottail Shiner0.01 lbs.Paintsville LakeAndy Pelphrey
Stambaugh, KY
06/21/2013
Striped Shiner0.17 lbs.Banklick Creek,
Kenton County
Nathanael Powell
Independence, KY
10/25/2021​
Blacknose Dace0.008 lbs.Hood Creek,
Lawrence County
Andy Pelphrey
Stambaugh, KY
06/21/2008
Blue Catfish106.9 lbs.Ohio RiverGlynn Grogan
Arlington, KY
10/20/2018
Bullhead Catfish5 lbs., 8 ozs.Private Pond, Mason CountyRandy Kirk Maysville, KY07/06/2013
Channel Catfish32 lbs.Ohio River,
Boyd County
Kyle Estep
South Point, Ohio
05/26/2004
Flathead Catfish97 lbs.Green RiverEsker Carroll06/06/1956
White Catfish5.27 lbs.Guist Creek LakeEthen Vest
Frankfort, KY
10/11/2016
Freshwater Drum42 lbs.,
13 ozs
Dale Hollow LakeAlan Cooper
Morgantown, KY
04/26/2021
Skipjack Herring3.10 lbs.Ohio River,
Cannelton Tailwater
Joey Dixon
Elizabethtown, KY
04/14/2006
Gizzard Shad4.08 lbs.Ohio River,
Greenup L & D
Carl Rowe05/24/2009
Goldeye2 lbs, .64 ozs.Kentucky RiverMark Smith
Lexington, KY
04/21/2001
​Mooneye​10 ozs.​Barren River​Samir Bajric
Bowling Green, KY
08/23/2019
Sauger7 lbs., 7 ozs.Cumberland River,
Lake Cumberland Tailwaters
Rastie Andrew
Jamestown, KY
04/28/1983
Saugeye9 lbs., 0.5 ozs.Bullock Pen Lake,
Boone/Grant County
Wolfgang Kratzenberg
Verona, KY
03/21/2021
Walleye21 lbs., 8 ozs.Lake CumberlandAbe Black
Shaker Heights, OH
10/01/1958
​Fantail Darter​0.16 ozs.​Hickman Creek,
Jessamine County
​Chase Kirk
Lexington, KY
​04/20/2021
Logperch0.08 lbs.Lake BarkleyMarietta Strange Louisville, KY11/04/2013
Yellow Perch1 lb., 7 ozs.Cozy Cove Lodge,
Kentucky Lake
Klint Thaxton
Ashland, IL
03/12/2010
Chain Pickerel5 lbs., 6 ozs.Forked Lake,
Carlisle County
Tommy Thompson
Bardwell, KY
07/08/1983
Grass Pickerel0.63 lbs.Wilson Creek,
Bullitt County
Gerald Gallagher
Louisville, KY
07/17/1989
Muskellunge47 lbs.Cave Run LakeSarah K. Terry
Mt. Sterling, KY
11/02/2008
Northern Pike10.53 lbs.Laurel River LakeDerek Cowden
Corbin, KY
10/29/2006
Tiger Muskie19 lbs., 9 ozs.Private Lake,
Clark County
Wayne Joslin
Winchester, KY
04/25/2007
Bluegill4 lbs., 3 ozs.Strip mine lake
Hopkins County
Phil Conyers
Madisonville, KY
08/05/1980
Crappie4 lbs., 14 ozs.Watershed Lake
Christian County
Penny Hopper
Crofton, KY
05/08/2005
Green Sunfish1 lb., 9.44 ozs.Farm Pond,
Hancock County
David Gibson Hawesville, KY05/20/2013
Longear Sunfish13.28 ozs.Strip mine pond
Magoffin County
Anthony Lynch
Salyersville, KY
06/23/1994
Redbreast Sunfish0.88 lbs.Marsh Creek
McCreary County
Tim King
Stearns, KY
09/01/1997
Redear Sunfish3 lbs., 1 oz.Farm Pond
Shelby County
Betty Truax
Finchville, KY
05/24/1982
Rock Bass1 lb., 10 ozs.Casey Creek
Trigg County
H.S. White
Cadiz, KY
05/26/1975
Warmouth1 lb., 6.2 ozs.Private Pond
Jefferson County
Jon Hoover
Louisville, KY
07/21/2003
Brook Trout3.65 lbs.Cumberland River, Lake Cumberland TailwatersWyatt Hoefer
Louisville, KY
03/15/2015
Brown Trout21 lbs.Cumberland River,
Lake Cumberland Tailwaters
Thomas Malone
Crofton, KY
04/30/2000
Lake Trout5 lbs., 5 ozs.Cumberland River,
Lake Cumberland Tailwaters
John McDonogh
Jeffersontown, KY
04/04/1983
Rainbow Trout14 lbs., 6 ozs.Cumberland River,
Lake Cumberland Tailwaters
Jim Mattingly
Somerset, KY
09/10/1972

Eligibility for Kentucky Fishing Records

To qualify for a state record, the fish must have been caught in Kentucky with a rod and reel or a pole and line. Fish caught with on commercial gear, such as trotlines or by snagging, snaring or bowfishing are not eligible in Kentucky.

Documentation Needed

How to Report a New Fish Record in Kentucky

To report a new record, mail your completed application and photo to KDFWR, Record Fish Program, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601.

Before submitting your application double check you have the proper documentation. You can find all requirements on the third page of your application.

We strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information possible. We routinely review and update our articles but don’t always make corrections as soon as they happen. If you see incorrect information please help us by submitting a correction form.