Fishing Lake Cumberland is nothing less than extraordinary. Many people were concerned over the lowering of the water, but there is stillover 1200-miles of shoreline. The lowering of dam was beneficial as the cool water oxygenated the water allowing the fish more natural growth opportunity. You can fish from your boat, from our dock or numerous other area located just minutes away from Lost Lodge Resort. Lake Cumberland is home to two Kentucky state parks: Lake Cumberland State Resort Park on its shore and General Burnside State Park on an island in the middle of the lake. Several of Kentucky's record fish have been taken in the waters of Lake Cumberland, including:
- Brown trout (21 lb)
- Lake trout (5 lb 5 oz)
- Rainbow trout (14 lb 6 oz)
- Sauger (7 lb 7 oz)
- Striped bass (58 lb 4 oz)
- Sturgeon (36 lb 8 oz)
- Walleye (21 lb 8 oz)
Issued by the Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), the fishing forecast is based on past fish population surveys, planned fish stockings, and projections for upcoming seasons. This year's forecast for fishing in the lake is rated mostly good to excellent. Following are the ratings and explanations by species.
- Bluegill - Good - Numerous 6-7 inch bluegill available.
- Channel catfish - Good - Good numbers of 13-20 inch fish with occasional catches of larger fish.
- Crappie - Good - Fairly low density population but should be adequate numbers of 8-10 inch crappie with occasional catches of larger crappie.
- Largemouth bass - Good - Good numbers of 15-18 inch fish with a few fish exceeding 20 inches.
- Smallmouth bass - Excellent - Good winter fishery. Plenty of 15-18 inch fish present. Some 20-inch plus fish available.
- Spotted bass - Excellent - Numerous fish available with good density of relatively large 13-17 inch fish.
- Striped bass - Good - Several year-classes of fish available; there should be good catches of 8-15 pound fish, with fish larger than 15 pounds caught occasionally. Fish in the strong 2006 year class should approach legal size (24 inches) late in 2008.
- Walleye - Good - Expect another good year for walleye fishing at Lake Cumberland. Good density of 3-5 pound fish with a few fish over 6 pounds.
- White bass - Poor - Population density remains low but is improving. For best success, try headwater areas in early spring.
Lake Cumberland Tailwaters (below dam)
- Striped bass - Fair - Fairly low density but good size (15-pounds plus). Mid and lower sections of river are best.
- Rainbow trout - Excellent - Abundant 11-15 inch fish and good density of slot sized (15-20 inch) rainbow trout. Anglers may see a slight increase in 20-inch and larger fish. Continued dam repairs and drought conditions may concentrate trout in upper portion of the tailwater.
- Brown trout - Excellent - Anglers should continue to see good numbers of 15-20 inch brown trout. Brown trout greater than 20 inches are not uncommon.
The full report is available online from KDFWR.
Looking for a guide, just ask. You can find numerous guides available in the area. Just ask us when you get to Lost Lodge. More fishing reports can be found at http://www.fishin.com/reports/ky/ky-2/kyreport-2.html