LivewellKentucky · River
Town Branch
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Town Branch, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
Kentucky also has statewide guidance
Kentucky publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 15 recommendations covering 8 species — in addition to anything listed for Town Branch 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 Town Branch
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from Town Branch
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
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.4 mi Directions
- Jamestown Marina marina 2.5 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.0 mi Directions
- Lake Cumberland State Dock marina 3.0 mi Directions
- Wolf Creek Marina marina 3.9 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.