30 public waters in the Eastern Kentucky region — 4 lakes/reservoirs and 26 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Kentucky licence.
See every public fishing venue in Kentucky on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Pike County, Kentucky — Fishtrap Lake is a 1,038-acre lake, managed by Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources: An Eastern Kentucky mountain reservoir (Fishtrap, Dewey, Paintsville, Grayson, Yatesville, Buckhorn, Carr Creek, Martins Fork) — largemouth and Spotted Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Walleye, with Muskellunge in several and stocked Rainbow Trout in the cold headwaters of Paintsville and Grayson. Steep, forested, narrow lakes.
Pike County, Kentucky — Grants Branch Lake is a 22-acre lake, managed by Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources: A Kentucky Trout-stocked lake — rainbow (and sometimes brown) Trout stocked in the cool months, with resident Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Channel Catfish the rest of the year. A Trout permit is required to fish for or keep Trout.
Pikeville Pond (22 acres) sits in Pike County, Kentucky, managed by Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Pike County, Kentucky, Hambley Lake is a 21-acre lake, managed by Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. A small KDFWR-managed lake or state-park lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, typically with a boat ramp, a fishing pier and outboard restrictions. Fished on the standard Kentucky licence.
Levisa Fork runs 208 km through Pike, Floyd, Johnson and 1 more county in Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): An Eastern Kentucky river (Big Sandy, Levisa Fork, Russell Fork, Tug Fork, Red Bird River, the forks of the Kentucky) — smallmouth, largemouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, Muskellunge, channel and Flathead Catfish and Walleye. Russell Fork through the Breaks is also Kentucky's whitewater river.
Tug Fork runs 140 km through Pike, Martin and Lawrence Counties, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): An Eastern Kentucky river (Big Sandy, Levisa Fork, Russell Fork, Tug Fork, Red Bird River, the forks of the Kentucky) — smallmouth, largemouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, Muskellunge, channel and Flathead Catfish and Walleye. Russell Fork through the Breaks is also Kentucky's whitewater river.
Pike, Floyd and Johnson Counties, Kentucky — Johns Creek is a 40 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
In Pike County, Kentucky, Russell Fork is a 36 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). An Eastern Kentucky river (Big Sandy, Levisa Fork, Russell Fork, Tug Fork, Red Bird River, the forks of the Kentucky) — smallmouth, largemouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, Muskellunge, channel and Flathead Catfish and Walleye. Russell Fork through the Breaks is also Kentucky's whitewater river.
Shelby Creek runs 38 km through Pike County, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Elkhorn Creek (34 km) flows through Pike and Letcher Counties, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A Kentucky smallmouth stream (Rockcastle River, Elkhorn Creek, Dix River, Buck Creek, Fishing Creek) — smallmouth and spotted (Kentucky) bass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), longear and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge in a few. Classic wade-and-canoe bronzeback water in the knobs and the Cumberland Plateau.
In Pike County, Kentucky, Knox Creek is a 18 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Rockhouse Creek runs 6 km through Letcher and Pike Counties, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Big Creek (22 km) flows through Pike and Martin Counties, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Brushy Fork (18 km) flows through Pike and Floyd Counties, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Pike County, Kentucky — Pond Creek is a 20 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Buffalo Creek runs 18 km through Floyd and Pike Counties, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A Kentucky stocked or wild Trout stream — rainbow and Brown Trout stocked on a rotation October to spring in the Daniel Boone National Forest and elsewhere, with a handful of streams (Bad Branch, Rock Creek, Dog Slaughter) holding wild or catch-and-release fish. A Trout permit is required.
Pike County, Kentucky — Mate Creek is a 1 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Pike County, Kentucky — Raccoon Creek is a 13 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
In Pike County, Kentucky, Robinson Creek is a 13 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Long Fork runs 9 km through Pike County, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
In Floyd and Pike Counties, Kentucky, Toler Creek is a 9 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Emily Creek (11 km) flows through Martin and Pike Counties, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Pawpaw Creek runs 11 km through Pike County, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Pike County, Kentucky — Left Fork Bushy Fork is a 9 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
In Pike County, Kentucky, Grapevine Creek is a 8 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Pike County, Kentucky — Blackberry Creek is a 8 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Peter Creek runs 9 km through Pike County, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water): A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
In Pike and Letcher Counties, Kentucky, Beefhide Creek is a 7 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Left Fork Peter Creek (8 km) flows through Pike County, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Island Creek (9 km) flows through Pike County, Kentucky, managed by Commonwealth of Kentucky (public / navigable water). A warmwater Kentucky river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, White Bass, and Rock Bass in the rockier reaches. Access at KDFWR sites, bridges and county landings.
Across its mapped waters, Pike County holds 18 species on PiscaMaps, including Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bluegill, Flathead Catfish, Longear Sunfish, White Bass and Smallmouth Bass.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Kentucky map Join PiscaMapsOne Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources fishing licence covers every public water in the state — resident annual about $23, non-resident annual about $60, with 1-day, 7-day and 15-day short-term options. A ~$10 trout permit (resident and non-resident) is required to fish for or keep trout anywhere, including the Cumberland River tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam. Kentucky residents born before 1 January 1961 may fish without a licence; residents 65+ and disabled residents can buy a discounted combination licence. Buy at fw.ky.gov.