Try your hand at fishing in Kentucky at no charge during free fishing weekend, June 4-5. To help celebrate family fishing, several communities around the state are offering special free fishing events for kids on June 4.
With summer almost here, the first weekend of June is a great time to grab a fishing pole and enjoy spending time with family and friends at the state's beautiful lakes, streams and rivers.
Whether you are visiting from outside the state or you live in Kentucky, free fishing weekend is open to all. You won't need a fishing license or a trout permit, but make sure you still follow the size and number limits by species of fish you choose to keep.
Need help getting started? Visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources' website at fw.ky.gov and type, "Learn to Fish," in the search box. Here you'll find instructional videos covering knot tying and preparing a fish for the table.
Don't know where to fish? Click the "Fishing" tab on the department website to access the annual fishing forecast for great tips and places to try.
The fishing page also includes a link to the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) lakes. FINs offers dozens of easily accessible, specially stocked lakes near population centers throughout the state.
Want to take the kids or grandkids fishing but still not quite sure where to go? Considering dropping by one of the following free fishing events on Saturday, June 4. All listed times listed are local.
Bullitt County - Youth Fishing Derby, Horticulture Area Road, Shepherdsville, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Directions: From I-65 at Exit 112, turn onto KY 245; right onto Horticulture Area Road. (Near Bernheim Forest, across from Jim Beam Distillery)
Campbell County - Alexandria Community Park, 3965 Alexandra Dr., Alexandra, 10 a.m.-noon, Ages 14 and under. Free lunch and T-shirt while supplies last
Clay County - Daniel Boone National Forest, Little Double Creek Pond, Pond located behind Redbird District Office, 91 Peabody Rd., Big Creek, 9 a.m.-noon. Ages 3-15. Register onsite beginning at 8 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Daviess County - Take a Kid Fishing Event, Panther Creek Park Lake, 5160 Wayne Bridge Rd., Owensboro. Ages 3-15. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing from 9-11 a.m. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Bring your own fishing pole; limited loaner equipment and bait available. Door prizes; grand prize for catching tagged fish. Hot dog, chips, water provided for participants.
Franklin County - Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Headquarters, 1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort. Upper lake next to main building open to kids ages 15 and younger from 9 a.m.-noon; open to all ages afterward. Special stocking of fish Friday afternoon; upper lake closed from noon Friday until Saturday fishing event. Lower lake will remain open to all ages. Limited equipment and bait available on first-come, first-served basis.
Kenton County - Kids Fishing Derby, Middleton-Mills Park, 3415 Mills Rd., Covington. 9 a.m.-noon. Kids of all ages. Catch and release tournament, prizes. Bait and equipment provided. Concessions sold at park.
Laurel County - Laurel-London Optimist Club, KY 6266/Reed Road, just off the Hal Rogers Parkway, approximately 3.5 miles east of the KY 192 intersection in London. Look for signs. Ages 5-12. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Register onsite beginning at 7:30 a.m.
McCracken County - Noble Park Fish Out, Lake Gerry Montgomery, 2801 Park Ave., Paducah. Catch and release 9-11 a.m. Ages 5-12. Limited equipment and bait available. Goodie bags for first 75 kids registered. Prizes for fishing contest. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Noble Park Shelter 10. For more information: 270-444-8508.
McCreary County - Kids Fishing Derby, Barren Fork Horse Campground, Barren Fork Road. Pond located 1 mile from Stearns District Office, 3320 U.S. 27N, Whitley City. 8-11 a.m. Ages 5-15 accompanied by an adult. Hot dog lunch and prizes. For more information: 606-376-5323, ext. 108.
Montgomery County - Easy Walker Park Pond, 1395 Osborne Rd., Mt. Sterling. Ages 15 and under. Registration begins at 8 a.m., first cast at 9 a.m. Free hot dogs and drinks (while supplies last). Prizes and casting contest.
Rowan County - Cave Run Kids Fishing Derby, Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, 120 Fish Hatchery Rd., Morehead. Ages 15 and under. Online registration through 6 p.m. (EDT) on May 31: https://bit.ly/3NbCoEw. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Grounds open at 6 a.m., fishing from 7-11 a.m. Note: Some walk-ups will be accepted on the day of the event until capacity is reached.
Russell County - Catch a Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby, Hatchery Creek at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, 50 Kendall Rd., Jamestown. 9 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Up to 15 years old; times staggered for different ages. Kids 5 and up must provide own equipment; no fly rods. Kiddie pool fishing with equipment provided for kids under 5, 9 a.m.-noon. Register at location 30 minutes in advance. For more information: www.friendsofwolfcreeknfh.com
Trigg County - Kids Fishing Day at Land Between the Lakes, Golden Pond Visitor's Center, 238 Visitor Center Dr., Golden Pond. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fishing poles and bait provided.
If you're paddling one of Kentucky's beautiful rivers or streams during free fishing weekend, don't forget to take along a fishing pole. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's online Blue Water Trails series profiles adventures throughout the state and gives you advice about how to catch fish along the way.
Regardless of whether you're in a kayak or a powerboat, always remember to have life jackets for everyone on board. It's also wise to always wear your life jacket, especially while your vessel is underway. Seldom do boaters have time to put on their life jackets in an emergency or other times when they're actually needed most. Learn more about boating safety and locate ramps into Kentucky's waterways in the "boating" section of the department's website.
If you haven't enjoyed the fun that angling offers yet this year, take a test drive with hook and line during Kentucky's free fishing days June 4-5.
Categories: Kentucky, Rural Lifestyle