Russell County, KY · Reservoir
Lake Cumberland
A deep, sprawling south-central Kentucky reservoir famous as a trophy striped-bass lake, with strong largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, and crappie.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Striped Bass — Drop everything — ideal day for Striped Bass.
Best conditions of 5 species tracked at Lake Cumberland.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake Cumberland
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Striped Bass Drop everything — ideal day for Striped Bass. In season 88/100
What's helping
- 51°F water — inside striped bass's active range
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
- Min size
- 22"
- Daily creel
- 2
Lake Cumberland: 22" minimum, 2 striped bass/day — a nationally significant landlocked striper fishery.
Source: Kentucky regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#2 Walleye Great day to fish for Walleye. In season 74/100
What's helping
- 51°F water — inside walleye's active range
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Min size
- 16"
- Daily creel
- 5
16" minimum, 5/day (walleye & hybrids).
Source: Kentucky regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Crappie Great day to fish for Crappie. In season 74/100
What's helping
- 51°F water — inside crappie's active range
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
#4 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 33/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 51°F water — below largemouth bass's active range (55–85°f)
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
5 black bass/day (no more than 2 smallmouth); 15" largemouth minimum.
Source: Kentucky regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Smallmouth Bass Skip the Smallmouth Bass trip today. In season 33/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 51°F water — below smallmouth bass's active range (55–78°f)
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 5
5 black bass/day, no more than 2 smallmouth.
Source: Kentucky regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Kentucky
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Lake Cumberland: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Cumberland?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake Cumberland you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Lake Cumberland?
Lake Cumberland is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Lake Cumberland?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake Cumberland against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Lake Cumberland have?
Lake Cumberland has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake Cumberland?
state agency regulations apply at Lake Cumberland. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Lake Cumberland tidal water?
No. Lake Cumberland is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.