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Best common carp lakes in Kentucky

12 Kentucky waters hold common carp, 1 mapped with real state-agency depth surveys. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality — open any water to see exactly where to fish it: depth contours, scored spots with plain-English reasons, seasonal windows and bait picks. 20-pound freight trains in every water. Feed on shallow mud flats — sight-fish them like bonefish.

1. Lake Barkley — 54 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie, Bluegill
2. Kentucky Lake — 75 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie
3. Ohio River — McAlpine Pool — 60 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie
4. Ohio River — Cannelton Pool — 60 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie
5. Licking River (Lower) — 25 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Channel Catfish
6. Kentucky River (Palisades) — 25 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Channel Catfish
7. Ohio River — Markland Pool — 60 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie
8. Ohio River — Meldahl Pool — 55 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie
9. Ohio River — Greenup Pool — 55 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie
10. Ohio River — Newburgh Pool — 55 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie, Channel Catfish
11. Ohio River — J.T. Myers Pool — 55 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Sauger, Crappie, Channel Catfish
12. Salt River — 15 ft max · Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, White Bass & Hybrids, Flathead Catfish

When to fish common carp in Kentucky

• Spring 2–10 ft — The best sight-fishing of the year — mudding fish in warm bays.
• Summer 3–15 ft — Chum a spot and wait — carp patrol the same flats daily.
• Fall 5–18 ft — Heavy feeding before winter; find the warmest water.
• Winter 10–30 ft — Podded up in deep, slow water.

Also in Kentucky: best largemouth bass lakes · best smallmouth bass lakes · best walleye lakes · best sauger lakes · best crappie lakes · best bluegill lakes · best channel catfish lakes · best rainbow trout lakes · best muskellunge lakes · best white bass & hybrids lakes · best flathead catfish lakes · best blue catfish lakes · best freshwater drum lakes · best longnose gar lakes · best rock bass lakes

Common Carp elsewhere: Minnesota · Michigan · Montana · Washington · North Dakota · Iowa · Indiana · Connecticut · Nebraska · Ohio · Utah · Colorado · New York · Wisconsin · Arizona · Texas · Illinois · Kansas · Tennessee · Missouri · Delaware · New Jersey · Virginia