Kentucky · United States

Cave Run Lake KY fishing forecast

69 Good of 100

Cave Run Lake KY is a freshwater fishing spot in Kentucky, United States. Anglers here target Muskellunge, Crappie, Smallmouth Bass. The most productive months are typically March, April, May, June, September, October.

Quick answer

Best monthsMarch, April, May, June

Top speciesMuskellunge, Crappie, Smallmouth Bass

Score now69/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

Ranks #181 of 644 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

In line with this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±12 points, from 6 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+15.0Wind+12.0Barometric pressure+4.4

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	22.8 °C
Wind	13 km/h from W, gusting 28 km/h
Pressure	1014 hPa
Cloud cover	0%
Chlorophyll	0.30 mg/m³
Salinity	0.0 PSU
UV index	3
Wind sea	0.0 m
Ground swell	0.0 m at 0 s

The water is running true to season — within a few tenths of the August average of 22.8 °C for this location. The water is mixed to about 20.0 m, with the thermocline below that.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Cave Run Lake KY

Cave Run Lake KY currently scores 69 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 22.8 °C. 6 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +15.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Wind +12.0: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Barometric pressure +4.4: falling pressure often triggers feeding
Thermocline +3.0: a defined layer stacks fish at one depth
Pre-storm bite +2.4: the classic feed before heavy weather
Moon phase +2.0: lunar feeding rhythm

What’s biting now

The model expects today: black-bullhead, shortnose-gar, bowfin, silver-carp, bighead-carp, bluegill, green-sunfish, longnose-gar

Bite windows

Moon

Waxing Gibbous · 82% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Cave Run Lake KY:

Score history at this spot

26 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-08-05, 83/100

21 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

+4 points vs the same day last week

About this spot

Water type

Lake · Freshwater

Lakes have no tide, so target structure, drop-offs, and seasonal thermoclines where fish concentrate by depth and temperature.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · beach

What you can catch

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy
Crappie

Pomoxis spp.
Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Best months by species at Cave Run Lake KY

MuskellungeEsox masquinongy
CrappiePomoxis spp.
Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.