Kentucky Free Fishing Weekend (2026) — June 6-7

KY 2026 free fishing weekend is the first weekend of June! Fish Kentucky Lake for crappie or Dale Hollow for smallmouth entirely free.

Kentucky offers an awesome Free Fishing Weekend every summer!

2026 KY Free Fishing Weekend

DateTypeNotes
June 6-7, 2026Summer Free FishingFirst full weekend in June!

Best Spots

WaterRegionSpeciesWhy Go
Kentucky LakeWestern KYCrappie, BassThe absolute Crappie capital of the world!
Lake CumberlandSouthern KYStriped Bass, WalleyeMassive, deep, and full of giants
Dale Hollow LakeKY/TN BorderSmallmouth BassHolds the world record smallmouth bass
Green River TailwaterCentral KYTroutBeautiful, cold water trout fishery

See all KY fishing spots.