Lake Barkley
58,000-acre Cumberland River lake that, with Kentucky Lake and the canal between them, forms one of the largest freshwater recreation complexes in the US.
Depth & Structure
134-mile reservoir with 1,004 miles of shoreline (Wikipedia); levels are managed seasonally - summer pool 359 ft reached by May 1, winter pool 354 ft by December 1 - which moves shallow cover in and out of the water. Species depth bands .
Best Lures
Jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater and soft plastics on the lake's structure and vegetation.
Best Baits
Live shiners/shad where legal are the standard live-bait option for bass and crappie.
Gear to Bring
Medium to medium-heavy spinning/baitcasting bass tackle, 2500-4000 reels, 10-20 lb class line.
Local Tips
['A one-mile canal above Barkley Dam joins Barkley to Kentucky Lake, so fish and boats move between the two giant lakes.', "Kentucky's largest yellow bass (1 lb 1 oz) was caught in Lake Barkley."]
Shop the Rig
Related Water
Fish photos: largemouth bass — Wikimedia Commons · crappie — Wikimedia Commons · catfish — Wikimedia Commons · bluegill — Wikimedia Commons
Fishing regulations, seasons and limits change — always check the current rules for this water before you fish. Spot pins are approximate area markers, not launch or access coordinates.