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Do You Need a Fishing License in Kentucky?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older must have a Kentucky fishing license to fish public waters. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) administers licenses.
Landowners and immediate family fishing entirely on their own farmland do not need a license.
Add-on permits include the Trout Permit (mandatory for trout) and the Sportsman's License combining hunting and fishing privileges.
How Much Does a Kentucky Fishing License Cost in 2026?
Resident annual fishing license: $23. Resident senior/disabled annual: $5. Nonresident annual: $55. Nonresident short-term licenses are covered in the next section.
Trout Permit: $10 (required for trout in any Kentucky waters). Sportsman's License (resident hunt+fish combo): $95.
Kentucky offers a senior/disabled combination license for $12 covering both hunting and fishing for eligible residents 65+.
| License or permit | 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| Resident annual fishing | $23 |
| Resident senior/disabled annual | $5 |
| Nonresident annual fishing | $55 |
| Nonresident 1-day | $15 |
| Nonresident 7-day | $35 |
| Nonresident 15-day | $42 |
| Trout permit | $10 |
| Resident Sportsman's (hunt + fish) | $95 |
| Senior/disabled combo (hunt + fish) | $12 |
How Much Is a 1-Day Fishing License in Kentucky?
A one-day Kentucky fishing license costs $15 and is a nonresident license. Kentucky doesn't sell a resident one-day license, so residents buy the annual license or the senior and disabled annual if they qualify.
Nonresidents staying longer can buy a 7-day license for $35 or a 15-day license for $42.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Fishing License in Kentucky?
Kentucky requires a fishing license for anyone 16 or older. Residents and nonresidents under 16 fish free, though youth anglers still follow all bag and size limits and need a Trout Permit if they fish for trout.
Where to Buy a Kentucky Fishing License
Online through KDFWR (opens in a new tab) is instant. The KDFWR also has a mobile app, MyProfile, that stores licenses for offline display while fishing.
Vendors statewide include Bass Pro, Cabela's, Walmart, Rural King, and over 600 independent bait and tackle shops. Use the KDFWR vendor locator to find one near you.
KDFWR regional offices in Frankfort, Morehead, Murray, Hindman, and Pewee Valley sell licenses in person.
Free Fishing Days in Kentucky
Kentucky's Free Fishing Weekend in 2026 is Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7. No fishing license or trout permit is required to fish any public Kentucky water during the event.
Both residents and nonresidents fish for free. Bag and size limits remain enforced.
KDFWR hosts kids' fishing rodeos at over 100 locations during Free Fishing Weekend, including the Kentucky Fishing Derby at Cane Run Lake near Lexington and events at Carter Caves State Resort Park.
Key Kentucky Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 12-inch minimum and 6-fish daily limit on most waters. Lake Cumberland has a 15-inch minimum and 5-fish limit for smallmouth.
Trout limit is 8 daily across all species with a Trout Permit. Stocked trout streams like Hatchery Creek and the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam are world-class.
Striped bass limit on Lake Cumberland is 2 with a 22-inch minimum. Crappie limit is 30 daily on most waters with a 9-inch minimum on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes.
Best Fishing Spots in Kentucky
Lake Cumberland is the striped bass capital of the South and holds Kentucky's record (58 pounds, 4 ounces). It also produces smallmouth bass, walleye, and trophy lake trout.
Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley together form the largest reservoir system in the eastern US, producing trophy largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Spring crappie fishing is legendary.
The Cumberland River tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam offers blue-ribbon trout fishing with rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout. Cave Run Lake is the state's top muskie destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Resident annual is $23, nonresident annual is $55. Resident seniors 65+ pay $5. Nonresident short-term: $15 for 1 day, $35 for 7 days, or $42 for 15 days.
Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, 2026. Both residents and nonresidents fish without a license or trout permit. Bag and size limits still apply.
Yes. A $10 Trout Permit is required to fish for or possess trout in any Kentucky water, in addition to your base fishing license. The permit applies year-round.
No. Kentucky residents and nonresidents under 16 fish without a license. All youth must follow bag and size limits and Trout Permit rules if fishing for trout.
Buy online at fw.ky.gov or through the KDFWR MyProfile mobile app for instant delivery. Walk-in vendors include Bass Pro, Cabela's, Walmart, Rural King, and 600+ local shops.
Six largemouth or smallmouth bass combined daily with a 12-inch minimum statewide. Lake Cumberland and several other reservoirs have 15-inch minimums and 5-fish limits.