Kentucky
Licking River at Farmers
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Sunday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- 8.63 ft
- Water Temperature
- 74.5 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 03249500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
73°F
Feels like
79°F
Wind
4 mph SE
Wind gust
5 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 73°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 12 PM
Clear
Temp 91°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 97°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 8 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 86°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 73°F
Chance 33%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Heavy rain
High 98°F / Low 72°F
Chance 31%
Precip 0.34 in
Max gust 28 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 66°F
Chance 33%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 28 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 86°F / Low 59°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 28 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 85°F / Low 68°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Licking River at Farmers, Kentucky. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00065).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Licking River.
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
Licking River at Farmers is the Cave Run Lake tailwater, a KDFWR muskie and smallmouth corridor. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 03249500 (live stage and water temperature). Historical discharge 00060 last reported in 2009 and is not current discharge authority. Distinct from Licking at Alexandria 03254520 and from Cave Run Lake itself. A short Class III rainbow put-and-take exists immediately below the dam; it does not convert this destination to air-derived trout. Flow Context remains default-deny. Insect Hatch Match is not applicable.
Target species
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
KDFWR Cave Run / Licking muskellunge. USGS 03249500 Farmers. Not Cave Run Lake and not Alexandria 03254520.
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
KDFWR Licking River largemouth bass at Farmers.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
KDFWR Licking River smallmouth bass at Farmers.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
KDFWR Licking River channel catfish at Farmers.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Cave Run Dam tailwater on the Licking in Rowan County, a warmwater muskie river distinct from the reservoir and from the lower Licking near Cincinnati.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by USACE Cave Run tailwater / Farmers access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 03249500. The gage is a reference, not a guaranteed put-in.
Stocking information
KDFWR manages a muskie and black-bass tailwater. Rainbow trout are stocked in a short dam-to-1.2-mile reach only. Confirm current official notices. Stocking is fishery context, not a condition rating.
Official sources
KDFWR inland warmwater-river rules change. Do not treat dead 00060 as live discharge. Distinct from Cave Run Lake and from Alexandria 03254520. Confirm current KDFWR fishing regulations.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Rowan, 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.
River Details
County
Rowan
Management Category
Inland muskie tailwater
Regulation Scope
Licking River at Farmers
Regulation Summary
Licking River at Farmers: KDFWR inland warmwater-river rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
muskellunge, smallmouth-bass, largemouth-bass, channel-catfish
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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