Lake Barkley

Lake fishing Kentucky · 05:58 - 19:59

Lake Barkley is a lake in Kentucky. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

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Good 65% The bite right now

Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

75%

80°

Mon

75%

82°

Tue

77%

81°

Best day

Wed

74%

85°

Thu

74%

89°

Fri

72%

88°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather

Partly cloudy

Water temp (est.)

79°F

Air temp

79°F

Wind

9 mph

Pressure

29.68 inHg → stable

Clouds

79.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-08-01 19:38

Best times today

Dawn 05:13–07:13 Day 07:13–18:44 Dusk 18:44–20:44

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit

Major period 02:06–04:06 Major period 14:06–16:06 Minor period 20:35–22:05 Minor period 08:08–09:38

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

12:00

79°

13:00

79°

14:00

78°

15:00

79°

16:00

78°

17:00

76°

18:00

75°

19:00

75°

20:00

74°

21:00

73°

22:00

73°

23:00

73°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

65%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.

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Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

41%

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

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Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

41%

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

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White Bass

Morone chrysops

31%

Active through the day, off season, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

30%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season.

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Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

30%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.

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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Flathead Catfish and Channel Catfish.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.

Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.

Colour Clear water and good light: try natural bait, small earth tones for bluegill.

Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Lake Barkley, a 58,000-acre (230 km2) reservoir in Livingston County, Lyon County and Trigg County in Kentucky and extending into Stewart County and Houston County in Tennessee, was impounded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1966 upon the completion of Barkley Dam. Both the lake and the dam are named for Vice President Alben Barkley, a Kentucky native.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Kentucky Lake Kentucky · 34.3 mi away Mississippi River Kentucky · 60.0 mi away Mississippi River Kentucky · 60.3 mi away Mississippi River Kentucky · 60.8 mi away Mississippi River Kentucky · 61.1 mi away Mississippi River Kentucky · 62.0 mi away Ohio River Kentucky · 62.3 mi away Ohio River Kentucky · 62.8 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Barkley?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish and Common Carp.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Barkley?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Barkley?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Barkley right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 46%.