Do You Need a Tennessee Fishing License on Kentucky Lake in 2024?

If you’re planning to fish on Kentucky Lake in 2024, it’s important to understand the fishing license requirements. Kentucky Lake, which spans both Kentucky and Tennessee, has a reciprocal agreement between the two states that allows anglers to use either a Kentucky or Tennessee fishing license in certain areas of the lake.

Reciprocal Agreement on Kentucky Lake

According to the reciprocal agreement, anglers with a valid Kentucky or Tennessee sport fishing license can fish from Eggner’s Ferry Bridge (U.S. 68 and Hwy. 80) in Kentucky south to the Governor Ned McWhorter Bridge (U.S. 79 and Hwy. 76) in Tennessee. This includes all embayments and tributaries within this portion of Kentucky Lake, except for the Blood River embayment.

It’s important to note that anglers must abide by the fishing regulations of the state in whose waters they are fishing. This means that if you’re fishing in Kentucky waters, you must follow Kentucky’s fishing regulations, and if you’re fishing in Tennessee waters, you must follow Tennessee’s fishing regulations.

Purchasing a Fishing License

If you plan to fish on Kentucky Lake in 2024, you can purchase a fishing license from either Kentucky or Tennessee. Kentucky offers several fishing license options, including a 1-Day Fishing license for $7.00, a 3-Year Fishing license (available online only) for $55.00, and a Nonresident 7-Day Fishing license for $35.00.

Tennessee also offers various fishing license options, such as a 1-Day Fishing license, an Annual Fishing license, and a Lifetime Fishing license. You can purchase your Tennessee fishing license online, by phone, or from authorized agents across the state.

Fishing Regulations and Limits

When fishing on Kentucky Lake, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the fishing regulations and limits of both Kentucky and Tennessee. For example, in Kentucky, the daily creel limit for black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass) is five in any combination, with a minimum length limit of 15 inches on largemouth and smallmouth bass.

In Tennessee, the daily creel limit for black bass is also five in any combination, but there is a 15-inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass and a 20-inch minimum length limit on smallmouth bass. Anglers must be aware of these differences and adhere to the regulations of the state in which they are fishing.

In addition to the black bass regulations, there are also specific regulations and limits for other fish species, such as crappie, catfish, and sauger. It’s essential to review the fishing regulations of both states before heading out on Kentucky Lake.

Fish Habitats and Attractors

Kentucky Lake is home to various fish habitats and attractors that help anglers locate and catch fish. These habitats include Christmas trees, shallow-water stake beds, deep-water treetops, and artificial structures such as shallow-water fish attractor sites marked with PVC pipe and deep-water sites marked with buoys.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) maintains a map of the fish attractor locations on Kentucky Lake, which can be found on their website. This map can be a valuable resource for anglers looking to target specific fish species in certain areas of the lake.

In conclusion, fishing on Kentucky Lake in 2024 requires either a valid Kentucky or Tennessee fishing license, depending on the location within the lake. Anglers must be aware of and adhere to the fishing regulations and limits of the state in which they are fishing. By understanding the reciprocal agreement, purchasing the appropriate license, and familiarizing themselves with the fish habitats and attractors, anglers can enjoy a successful and enjoyable fishing experience on Kentucky Lake.