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PiscaMapsUnited States Tennessee Benton County Kentucky Lake

Fishing at Kentucky Lake

Tennessee · Benton County, Humphreys County, Henry County, Stewart County, Decatur County, Perry County and Houston County · 54,937 acres
State
Tennessee
Country
USA
Licence
State-issued
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Tennessee Reservoir 54,937 acres Open access — public water 🌙 Night fishing

About Fishing at Kentucky Lake

Kentucky Lake is a public reservoir in Benton County, Humphreys County, Henry County, Stewart County, Decatur County, Perry County and Houston County, Tennessee, managed by Tennessee Valley Authority. The shoreline and water are open to the public. Public access confirmed via marquee operator.

A mainstem Tennessee River impoundment — big, fertile, current-fed water with the state's deepest bench of species: black bass, white and striped bass, crappie, bluegill, three catfish species, sauger and carp.

Kentucky Lake covers about 54,937 acres in the West region. Anglers here mostly fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white bass; striped bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill are also on record. Neighbouring public land — Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, Land Between The Lakes Wildlife Management Area, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge — opens up bank access away from the main entry points. The nearest other mapped waters on PiscaMaps are Hurricane Creek and Tennessee River.

County
Benton, Humphreys, Henry, Stewart, Decatur, Perry, Houston
Region
West
Surface area
54,937 acres
Public access
Open access — public water
Managed by
Tennessee Valley Authority
Night fishing
Permitted
Boats
Permitted

Fish Species at Kentucky Lake

Species from TWRA and Tennessee fishery data.

Access & Rules at Kentucky Lake

Night fishing: No statewide night-fishing closure in Tennessee; a few individual waters have local rules — check the current TWRA regulations for this water.

Boats: Boats allowed. On the large TVA/USACE reservoirs there is no horsepower limit; TWRA agency lakes are usually electric-motor or 10 hp only.

Bank & bivvy camping: Camping is at Corps, TVA, TWRA and state-park campgrounds. Dispersed bankside camping on public shoreline is generally not allowed — use a designated site.

Tackle: Statewide creel and size limits apply; several reservoirs carry a black-bass protected slot — check the current TWRA regs for this water.

Rules verified 2026-09-01 against TWRA regulations. Always confirm the current rules before you fish.

Public Land Around Kentucky Lake

Source: USGS PAD-US (Protected Areas Database).

Facilities Near Kentucky Lake

Boat ramps: 20 mapped — Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp and others nearby.

Camping: 13 sites mapped nearby — Sweetgum Loop, Virginia Loop, Shortleaf Loop, Persimmon Loop, Loblolly Loop, Dogwood Loop and others.

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors.

Fishing Licence for Kentucky Lake

A Tennessee fishing licence covers all public water in the state. Non-resident annual is around $50; 3-day and 10-day non-resident permits are also sold. TWRA agency lakes need an extra TWRA Lake permit.

Tennessee

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Resident annual: ~$34 Non-resident annual: ~$50 Buy: gooutdoorstennessee.com

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