Lake Cumberland
Lake Cumberland is a long, deep Army Corps lake in south-central Kentucky behind Wolf Creek Dam. It is the state's best striped bass lake and also known for walleye and smallmouth bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Striped Bass
Fish live shad or alewives on planer boards in the lower lake creek arms.
Walleye
Troll nightcrawler rigs 25 to 30 feet deep in summer.
Smallmouth Bass
Main lake points hold fish all year; try a float-n-fly in cold water.
Spotted Bass
Watch for schooling fish at first light in late summer.
Crappie
Try the mouths of the Laurel and Rockcastle rivers in early spring.
Boat launches
9 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Conley Bottom RampPublicArmy Corps ramp near Nancy and Burnside; concrete, well keptDirections ↗
- Waitsboro RampPublicArmy Corps ramp near Somerset; usually less crowdedDirections ↗
- General Burnside Island RampPublicRamp at General Burnside Island State Park, BurnsideDirections ↗
- Lake Cumberland State Resort Park RampPublicState park ramp, US 127 south of Jamestown then State Park RoadDirections ↗
- Halcomb's LandingPublicPublic ramp off US 127 just before Wolf Creek DamDirections ↗
- 6Ono RampPublicSingle lane; no ramp fee; off KY 80 / KY 76 north of JamestownDirections ↗
- 7Cumberland Glen Boat RampPublicWayne County; single lane; no ramp fee; off KY 196 near NancyDirections ↗
- 8Echo Point Recreation AreaPublicSingle lane; no ramp fee; off KY 790 south of Somerset (Upper Lake Cumberland)Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Kentucky Fish & Wildlife or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie Crappie, black or white | 10 in | Statewide limit |
| White Crappie | 10 in | Statewide limit |
| Largemouth Bass | 15 in | Statewide limit |
| Smallmouth Bass | 18 in | Statewide limit |
| Striped Bass | 22 in | 2 / day |
| Walleye | 14 in | 6 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Durbin's Bait & TackleNearby8591 S Highway 27, Unit 2, Burnside, KY(606) 341-1122Directions ↗
- Captain Jake's Snack Shack & BaitNearby80 Kendall Rd, Jamestown, KY(270) 343-3477Directions ↗
Biggest fish on record
- Kentucky state record striped bass: 58 lb 4 oz (58.25), caught Dec. 11, 1985 by Roger Foster on Lake Cumberland.
- Kentucky state record walleye: 21 lb 8 oz (21.5), caught Oct. 1, 1958 by Abe Black on Lake Cumberland.
- Lake Cumberland also produced the 36.5 lb Kentucky record lake sturgeon (1954). That record is closed and sturgeon cannot be harvested.
Fishing this time of year (late October)
- October and November are prime time for hybrid striped bass.
- Cooler fall weather starts the reservoir largemouth season. For smallmouth, water in the low 60s in November marks the start of the season on Lake Cumberland; tiny hair jigs under bobbers work on cold, overcast days.
- For big stripers, drift threadfin shad over channel drops at dawn in December.
- Cold water released through Wolf Creek Dam keeps the tailwater trout fishery active year-round. Minnows or nightcrawlers stay effective when cold weather slows other methods.
- Striped bass outlook (2022 report): fall 2021 sampling had the highest catch rate of fish over 25 inches, the minimum size was 22 inches and a fish of 36 inches or more earns a Trophy Fish Award. Rules can change, so confirm them first.
Kentucky fall fishing guide (KDFWR) ↗ · Lake Cumberland striped bass outlook ↗
Around the lake: food, fuel and lodging
Places were taken from OpenStreetMap map data around Somerset, Burnside, Jamestown and Russell Springs. Marinas, houseboat docks and cabin resorts on the lake are thinly mapped, so use the search links. Call ahead for hours.
Gas stations and stores
- Speedway146 S Hwy 27, Somerset
- Shell1345 S Hwy 27, Somerset
- Valero710 Jarvis Ave, Somerset
- Shell and Minit MartJamestown
- Valero and ShellBurnside
Grocery stores
- Walmart Supercenter177 Washington Dr, Somerset606-679-9204
- Kroger181 S Hwy 27, Somerset606-451-4341
- Superior Market450 S Hwy 27, Somerset606-451-9127
- Kroger181 S Hwy 127, Russell Springs270-216-7007
- Dollar General MarketJamestown502-805-6780
Restaurants
- Casa Grande105 Belmont Ave, Somerset606-679-2422
- LongHorn Steakhouse1975 S Hwy 27, Somerset606-677-2800
- Cracker Barrel1899 S Hwy 27, Somerset606-451-9944
- Pizza Hut2443 Lakeway Dr, Russell Springs270-866-6507
- Mammy Frog's DinerRussell Springs
- Greg's Burgers and FriesJamestown
- The River HouseBurnside
Motels and hotels
- Best Western Somerset103 Jefferson Dr, Somerset606-677-9000
- Super 8 by Wyndham601 S Hwy 27, Somerset606-679-9279
- Quality Inn & Suites240 N Hwy 27, Somerset
- Cumberland LodgeRussell Springs
- Anchor Inn MotelJamestown
- 7 Gables Motel8064 US-27, Burnside
Local tips
- In April and May, fish stripers at night with Rapala Slivers or Redfins in the upper half of creek arms.
- Striped bass must be 22 inches, with a limit of 2; walleye must be 14 inches.
- For stripers, look at Beaver, Otter, Wolf and Lily creek embayments in the lower lake.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Kentucky lakes
Barren River Lake Green River Lake Cave Run Lake Nolin River Lake Laurel River Lake Rough River Lake Taylorsville Lake Herrington Lake All Kentucky lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.