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Fishing Elkhorn Creek: what the data says
The Bluegrass State's famous smallmouth creek, from the Forks to the Kentucky River. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Elkhorn Creek
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Forks of Elkhorn riffles is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Channel Catfish fishing at Elkhorn Creek
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 3.4) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Rock Bass fishing at Elkhorn Creek
In spring, rock bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Forks of Elkhorn riffles: a rock pile around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is the evening. Summer baits: a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Notable structure
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 3.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Channel swing (mile 10.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Inside bend (mile 4.7): point, around 6 ft
- Channel swing (mile 7.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 13.9): current seam, around 5 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 1.9): eddy pocket, around 5 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 0.3): eddy pocket, around 4 ft
- Current seam (mile 15.5): current seam, around 4 ft
- Current seam (mile 16.6): current seam, around 4 ft
- Forks of Elkhorn riffles: rock pile, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Elkhorn Creek?
Elkhorn Creek is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Elkhorn Creek?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, rock bass on Elkhorn Creek.
Where is the best fishing spot on Elkhorn Creek?
Forks of Elkhorn riffles is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Elkhorn Creek?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Elmer Davis Lake · Benjy Kinman Lake · Guist Creek Lake · Corinth Lake · Beaver Lake · Kentucky River (Palisades)
See how Elkhorn Creek stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Kentucky · best channel catfish lakes in Kentucky · best rock bass lakes in Kentucky
Browse all Kentucky fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.