UTERWalleye fishing in Kentucky freshwater
In Kentucky freshwater, walleye peak March–April and November and are around year-round, spawning in March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. March: Rockcastle and Big South Fork runs.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Walleye in Kentucky freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryArrivingLake Cumberland walleye stage at the river mouths.
- MarchSpawningRockcastle and Big South Fork runs.
- AprilPeak
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish walleye near Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland
Kentucky and Barkley lakes for crappie and ledge bass, Cumberland's stripers and walleye, Dale Hollow's smallmouth, Cave Run's muskie, and wading rivers for smallmouth.
What to use for walleye
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- LeechesHooked once through the sucker end on a #8 to #4 hook under a slip bobber or on a live-bait rig — walleye and smallmouth can't leave them alone.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 34–78°F water, best at 55–70°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch walleye in Kentucky freshwater?
Peak season is March–April and November, with fish spawning in March (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Walleye are here year-round. March: Rockcastle and Big South Fork runs.
Where do walleye hold in Kentucky freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, river, bridge, dock / pilings — around Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow, Cave Run Lake, Green River.
What is the best bait for walleye in Kentucky freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), leeches, nightcrawlers. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for walleye in Kentucky freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) and change — read the current rule at https://fw.ky.gov/FishBoatGuide/Pages/default.aspx before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses.
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