LivewellFish consumption advisories
Kentucky
Kentucky publishes advisories for 8 waters, covering 33 species-and-size recommendations.
Contaminants of concern: Mercury, PCBs
Statewide advisory
These apply across Kentucky, including waters with no specific advisory of their own.
- All Other Species Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Black Crappie General population Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Black Crappie Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Bluegill General population Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Bluegill Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Channel Catfish General population Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Channel Catfish Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Common Carp General population Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Common Carp Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Largemouth Bass General population Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Largemouth Bass Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Smallmouth Bass General population Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Smallmouth Bass Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Walleye General population Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
- Walleye Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated Mercury. Kentucky statewide mercury advisory
Waters with advisories in Kentucky
8 waters on file. A water not listed here has no advisory in the state's data — which usually means it has never been sampled, not that it's been cleared.
Lakes 3
Rivers 5
Kentucky statewide fishing limits
Statewide defaults — specific waters and zones may differ. Verify the current rules before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 14" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | 14" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Crappie | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Bass | — | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | — | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Striped Bass | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 30" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Rainbow Trout | — | 8 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Kentucky — Kentucky Fish & Wildlife