Kentucky
Licking River at Farmers
Location Snapshot
Licking River at Farmers is an eastern Kentucky mainstem reach associated with the Cave Run drainage but distinct from Cave Run Lake itself. Muskellunge are the primary supported target, with smallmouth and largemouth bass adding predator variety and channel catfish contributing another established river fishery.
Current River Rating
Good · 84
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
Tuesday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within a broad fishable range.
- 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
- 8.68 ft
- Water Temperature
- 64 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:45 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
44°F
Feels like
39°F
Wind
4 mph E
Wind gust
9 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:45 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
Tue 6 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 52°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 48°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 69°F / Low 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 72°F / Low 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 71°F / Low 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Mostly clear
High 70°F / Low 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 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
Muskellunge are in the mixed fishery on the Licking River at Farmers, a tailwater.
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
Target species
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
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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