LivewellKentucky · Lake
Green River Lake
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Green River Lake, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs
Kentucky also has statewide guidance
Kentucky publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 15 recommendations covering 8 species — in addition to anything listed for Green River Lake below.
Strictest statewide rule: Largemouth Bass — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Green River Lake
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
| 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 and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from Green River Lake
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Kentucky's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations 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