Fishing on Wood Creek Lake

The Kentucky State Record Largemouth Bass

Wood Creek Lake's most defining identity is the 13-pound, 10.4-ounce largemouth bass caught here in 1984 — the former Kentucky state record. Sources describe the fish differently: LakeHomes.com calls it 'the state record largemouth bass weighing in at a whopping 13 pounds,' while the Explore Kentucky Wildlands entry specifies 'the 2nd largest state record largemouth bass, weighing in at an incredible 13 pounds 10 ounces.' Grokipedia describes it as 'a former Kentucky state record largemouth bass, a 13-pound, 10.4-ounce specimen caught in 1984.' Regardless of current record status, a 13-pound-plus largemouth from a 625-acre lake in southeastern Kentucky is extraordinary — and it reflects the lake's real capacity to produce trophy largemouth bass in a compact, well-managed water body.

KDFWR has implemented protective slot limits specifically designed to protect the quality of the Wood Creek Lake bass fishery. The 12-to-15-inch protective slot limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass requires releasing all bass between 12 and 15 inches — the size range that would include most legal fish under a standard 10-inch minimum. Combined bass under 12 inches or over 15 inches may be kept within the 6-fish daily creel limit. This slot limit directly protects fish in the high-growth 12-to-15-inch range and allows the population to develop the large fish that make Wood Creek Lake's bass fishing reputation.

Species and Regulations

Wood Creek Lake supports largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, walleye, black crappie, white crappie, redear sunfish, rainbow trout, and channel catfish. The walleye fishery has its own protective regulation: an 18-to-26-inch protective slot (all walleye between those sizes must be released), 2-fish daily creel for walleye outside the slot. This mirrors the walleye restoration regulations at Barren River Lake, though at Wood Creek it reflects management of an existing walleye population rather than an active restoration project. Walleye rated in the 16-to-18-inch range are present with larger fish possible.

Rainbow trout are stocked periodically by KDFWR. The lake's maximum depth of 127 feet near the dam creates a cold-water hypolimnion that supports trout habitat in what is otherwise a warm-water southeastern Kentucky lake — the same depth characteristic that made the state record bass possible (deep, cold, well-oxygenated water supports high-quality fish growth). Night fishing for trout during summer months is popular at Wood Creek Lake — an activity that most southeastern Kentucky lakes at lower elevation and shallower depth cannot offer.

Crappie fishing in the shallower coves and near any available structure produces black and white crappie consistently. Channel catfish are present and catchable with standard nighttime catfish techniques. Redear sunfish — more commonly called 'shellcrackers' in Kentucky — add variety to the panfish population. The overall species composition at 625 acres makes Wood Creek Lake punching significantly above its weight class for fishing quality relative to its size.

Access and Regulations

The Wood Creek Lake Ramp (Laurel County, accessible from I-75 Exit 41, west on KY-80 to Bernstadt, right on Swiss Colony Road) is the single public boat ramp serving the lake. The ramp features a paved surface suitable for light trailerable recreational boats, multiple launch lanes, a courtesy dock, paved parking for 26 to 50 vehicles, and year-round restroom access. No marina is present on the lake. A nearby tackle store offers live bait, tackle, supplies, and some boat rentals. All fishing at Wood Creek Lake requires a valid Kentucky fishing license. Always verify current regulations at fw.ky.gov before each season — the protective slot limits at Wood Creek Lake are specific and different from statewide defaults.