Barren River Lake

Boat Ramps: 16
Access Points: 16
Species: 39

Barren River Lake is a 10,000-acre reservoir located in south-central Kentucky with approximately 140 miles of shoreline. Created in 1964 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the lake was formed by damming the Barren River. The lake's boundaries extend from the dam upstream to the KY 100 bridge, Long Creek to the KY 100 bridge, Beaver Creek to the KY 1297 bridge, Skaggs Creek to the Matthews Mill Road bridge, and Peter Creek to the Peter Creek Road bridge. With its diverse aquatic habitat and abundant fish populations, Barren River Lake has become a popular destination for anglers targeting a variety of gamefish species throughout the year.

Kentucky licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Barren River Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Alligator Gar

Atractosteus spatula

Bigmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus cyprinellus

Black Buffalo

Ictiobus niger

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Grass Carp

Grass Pickerel

Esox americanus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Redbreast Sunfish

Lepomis auritus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

River Redhorse

Moxostoma carinatum

Shorthead Redhorse Sucker

Moxostoma macrolepidotum

Shortnose Gar

Lepisosteus platostomus

Smallmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus bubalus

Smallmouth Redhorse

Moxostoma breviceps

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Spotted Gar

Lepisosteus oculatus

Spotted Sucker

Minytrema melanops

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Bass

Morone chrysops

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Bass

Morone mississippiensis

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Barren River Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Barren River Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Kentucky licenses and regulations

Kentucky Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Kentucky Fishing License

All persons must fill out and carry the proper license and permit to fish any Kentucky waters except residents and nonresidents age 15 and younger.

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Kentucky Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Kentucky Stream Access Laws

Public usage is limited to larger waterways with more permanent commerce and transportation. The public right to navigation includes boating, fishing, swimming, temporary anchorage and incidental use of the riverbed, regardless of streambed ownership.

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Take Barren River Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Barren River Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Barren River Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Barren River Lake and check the forecast before you go.