The 8 Best Fishing Lakes in Louisville

Discover the best fishing lakes in Louisville! From Trout Run Lake to Tom Wallace Lake, we’ve compiled a list of the top spots for fishing in the Louisville area. Learn where to go and what to expect for a successful day of fishing.

Ohio River

The Ohio River is 981 miles long and is a major river that forms the border between Ohio and West Virginia.

Types of Fish: Carp, Tiger muskie, Sauger, Striped bass, White bass, Saugeye, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye.
Types of Fishing: Bank fishing, Boating, Fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Columbus Bass Pro Shops.
Fishing Guide Service: Ohio River Star Charters.
Closest Hotels to the Lake: Hyatt Place Louisville East, Hampton Inn Louisville East, Comfort Inn Louisville East.
Nearest Fishing Store: Cabela’s Louisville, located 4.8 miles away (7.7 km).
Basic Fishing Regulations: Valid state fishing license, catch and release of all fish, respect all posted signs, use barbless hooks.
Amenities of the Lake: Boating access, fish cleaning stations, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Nearest Gas Station: Shell, located 4.9 miles away (7.9 km).

Finchville Lake

Finchville Lake is a short 40-acre lake located near Louisville in Shelby County, Kentucky.

Types of Fish: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish.
Types of Fishing: Bank fishing, Boating, Fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Louisville Outdoors.
Fishing Guide Service: Deep Fork Guide Service.
Closest Hotels to the Lake: Quality Inn Shelbyville, Comfort Suites Shelbyville, Renaissance Louisville Downtown Hotel.
Nearest Fishing Store: Reel World Tackle, located 18.9 miles away (30.4 km).
Basic Fishing Regulations: Valid state fishing license, catch and release of all fish, respect all posted signs, use barbless hooks.
Amenities of the Lake: Boating access, fish cleaning station, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Nearest Gas Station: Shell, located 1.7 miles away (2.7 km).

Bullock Pen Lake

Bullock Pen Lake is a 220-acre lake located near Louisville in Oldham County, Kentucky.

Types of Fish: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish.
Types of Fishing: Bank fishing, Boating, Fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Bullock Pen Lake Tackle Shop.
Fishing Guide Service: Clear Fork Guide Service.
Closest Hotels to the Lake: La Quinta Inn & Suites Louisville NE, Holiday Inn Express & Suites La Grange, Best Western La Grange.
Nearest Fishing Store: Lunker Hunters, located 3.2 miles away (5.1 km).
Basic Fishing Regulations: Valid state fishing license, catch and release of all fish, respect all posted signs, use barbless hooks.
Amenities of the Lake: Boating access, fish cleaning station, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Nearest Gas Station: Shell, located 4.6 miles away (7.4 km).

Miles Pond

Miles Pond is a 134-acre lake located near Louisville in Bullitt County, Kentucky.

Types of Fish: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish.
Types of Fishing: Bank fishing, Boating, Fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Lunker Lodge.
Fishing Guide Service: Reel Time Guide Services.
Closest Hotels to the Lake: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Louisville East, Econo Lodge, Red Roof Inn Louisville Expo.
Nearest Fishing Store: Freshwater Outfitters, located 7.3 miles away (11.7 km).
Basic Fishing Regulations: Valid state fishing license, catch and release of all fish, respect all posted signs, use barbless hooks.
Amenities of the Lake: Boating access, fish cleaning station, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Nearest Gas Station: Shell, located 6.8 miles away (10.9 km).

Paintsville Lake

Paintsville Lake is a 3,000-acre lake located near Louisville in Johnson County, Kentucky.

Types of Fish: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish.
Types of Fishing: Bank fishing, Boating, Fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Paintsville Lake Marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Paintsville Lake Fishing Guides.
Closest Hotels to the Lake: Red Roof Inn Paintsville, Comfort Inn Paintsville, Super 8 Paintsville.
Nearest Fishing Store: Paintsville Lake Tackle, located 15.9 miles away (25.6 km).
Basic Fishing Regulations: Valid state fishing license, catch and release of all fish, respect all posted signs, use barbless hooks.
Amenities of the Lake: Boating access, fish cleaning station, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Nearest Gas Station: Marathon, located 9.5 miles away (15.3 km).

Hardin Lake

Hardin Lake is a 265-acre lake located in Louisville, Kentucky.

Types of Fish: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish.
Types of Fishing: Bank fishing, Boating, Fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Hardin Lake Bait & Tackle.
Fishing Guide Service: Jimmy Houston Outdoors.
Closest Hotels to the Lake: The Nicholson, Hilton Garden Inn Clarksville, AmericInn by Wyndham Clarksville.
Nearest Fishing Store: Bass Pro Shops Louisville, located 21.5 miles away (34.6 km).
Basic Fishing Regulations: Valid state fishing license, catch and release of all fish, respect all posted signs, use barbless hooks.
Amenities of the Lake: Boating access, fish cleaning station, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Nearest Gas Station: Marathon, located 4.3 miles away (6.9 km).

Lake Cherokee

Lake Cherokee is a 160-acre lake located near Louisville in Hardin County, Kentucky.

Types of Fish: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish.
Types of Fishing: Bank fishing, Boating, Fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Lake Cherokee Tackle Shop.
Fishing Guide Service: Outdoors Kentucky.
Closest Hotels to the Lake: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Radcliff, Comfort Inn & Suites Radcliff, Quality Inn Radcliff.
Nearest Fishing Store: Cabela’s Louisville, located 34.3 miles away (55.2 km).
Basic Fishing Regulations: Valid state fishing license, catch and release of all fish, respect all posted signs, use barbless hooks.
Amenities of the Lake: Boating access, fish cleaning station, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Nearest Gas Station: Marathon, located 6.3 miles away (10.1 km).

Taylor Lake

Taylor Lake is a 168-acre lake located near Louisville in Bullitt County, Kentucky.

Types of Fish: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish.
Types of Fishing: Bank fishing, Boating, Fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Taylor Lake Tackle Shop.
Fishing Guide Service: Kentucky Outdoor Adventures.
Closest Hotels to the Lake: La Quinta Inn & Suites Louisville NE, Holiday Inn Express & Suites La Grange, Best Western La Grange.
Nearest Fishing Store: Reel World Tackle, located 18.9 miles away (30.4 km).
Basic Fishing Regulations: Valid state fishing license, catch and release of all fish, respect all posted signs, use barbless hooks.
Amenities of the Lake: Boating access, fish cleaning station, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Nearest Gas Station: Shell, located 2.3 miles away (3.7 km).

Find Good Fishing Spots in Louisville and Other Nearby Lakes on The Map

Welcome to the Louisville fishing community! With the Google map below, you can explore this beautiful city and find some of the best fishing spots in the area. From the Ohio River to the many lakes in the area, Louisville has plenty of great lakes and fishing locations to discover. Take some time to explore the map and find out where the fish are biting. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, you’re sure to find a great spot to cast your line and catch some fish. So, get out there and explore the lakes of Louisville!

Check the Weather Forecast for Your Next Fishing Trip to Louisville

The weather in Louisville for sport fishing is quite pleasant throughout the year. In the summer, temperatures can reach up to the high 80s, and in the winter, temperatures hover around the low 40s. Rainfall is relatively low, so there is plenty of opportunity for fishing during the warmer months. The city experiences four distinct seasons, so anglers can take advantage of the changing temperatures and the variety of fish that can be caught in each season.