Reservoir · Kentucky
Nolin River Lake
Nolin River Lake
Reservoir · Kentucky
Information Only
StrikeTracks does not currently provide a live condition rating for this destination. Destination and fishery information is still available.
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Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Nolin River Lake.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Nolin River Lake is a 5,795-acre USACE reservoir. KDFWR 2026 forecast highlights an improving crappie fishery, stable largemouth bass, channel and flathead catfish, walleye, and a large white-bass run in April. The tailwater below the dam is not the lake.
Target species
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
2026 forecast describes a solid crappie population with many 12-inch-plus fish and seasonal shallow-to-timber shifts.
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
2026 forecast describes stable largemouth with many over 15 inches; summer fish often deeper on the lower end.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
2026 forecast describes good numbers of 18–22 inch channel catfish.
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
2026 forecast describes early-spring Bacon Creek/upper-river jigs and summer trolling/night fishing.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
USACE reservoir with creek arms (Bacon Creek, Conoloway) and standing timber. Tailwater to Green River is a different water.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Access and Public Fishing Rights
KDFWR WaterbodyDetail lists named public ramps. Confirm current USACE/KDFWR notices.
Stocking information
KDFWR 2026 forecast lists Nolin crappie among up-and-coming fisheries. Crappie minimum length was raised to 10 inches in 2026.
Official sources
KDFWR special regulations include 10-inch crappie and 15-inch largemouth/smallmouth. Tailwater is not pool temperature. Verify current fishing-guide text.
Public catalog object under TN-KY-LAKE-RECOVERY-1. conditionPublicationPolicy=static-value-structural-unavailable. Unavailable means insufficient thermal information, not Poor.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Kentucky
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
Management Category
Public reservoir fishery
Regulation Scope
Nolin River Lake
Regulation Summary
KDFWR Nolin River Lake special regulations; 2026 crappie minimum 10 inches.
Surface Area
5795 acres
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Walleye
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available
Description
USACE Nolin River Lake. Catalog-visible Unavailable: no qualifying same-lake live USGS 00010. Not Nolin tailwater. Coordinates: Nolin River Lake body representative (Edmonson/Grayson/Hart). Unavailable means insufficient thermal information, not Poor.
