2026 regulation year
Kentucky Walleye / sauger 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Sander vitreus / Sander canadensis
Last updated
Lake Cumberland anchors Kentucky's walleye fishery — fall trolling on the lower lake produces 5–8 lb fish, and the spring run up the Cumberland tributaries draws regional anglers. Green River Lake, Herrington Lake, and Laurel River Lake support smaller walleye populations. Sauger (the walleye's close cousin) live in the Ohio River + Cumberland River systems and are kept under a combined 6 / day daily bag with the walleye.
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Season
Open year-round Open year-round.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 6 / day combined walleye + sauger
- Possession
- 6 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 15 in min walleye; 14 in min sauger
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited
- Ohio River sauger: KY or IN licence honoured under interstate compact
- Cumberland River tailwater: 15 in min walleye, 6 / day
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Kentucky waters:
Lake Cumberland
15 in min, 6 / day; Kentucky's flagship walleye reservoir
Green River Lake
15 in min, 6 / day
Herrington Lake
15 in min, 6 / day; striped bass + walleye fishery
Ohio River
14 in min sauger / 15 in min walleye, 6 / day combined; reciprocal with IN
Cumberland River tailwater
15 in min, 6 / day below Wolf Creek Dam
Official source
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Kentuckyfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.
Visit official Kentucky fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Walleye / sauger closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Kentucky trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is walleye / sauger season in Kentucky?
- Kentucky keeps walleye / sauger open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
- What is the Kentucky bag limit for walleye / sauger?
- The Kentucky daily bag limit for walleye / sauger is 6 / day combined walleye + sauger. The possession limit is 6 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size walleye / sauger can you keep in Kentucky?
- The Kentucky size rule for walleye / sauger is 15 in min walleye; 14 in min sauger.
- Do you need a license to fish for walleye / sauger in Kentucky?
- Yes. Kentucky requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye / sauger, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Kentucky license — compare resident and non-resident Kentucky fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for walleye / sauger in Kentucky?
- Yes. In Kentucky, walleye / sauger fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Ohio River sauger: KY or IN licence honoured under interstate compact; Cumberland River tailwater: 15 in min walleye, 6 / day.
- Do specific Kentucky waters have different walleye / sauger rules?
- Yes. 5 named Kentucky waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye / sauger regulation, including Lake Cumberland, Green River Lake, Herrington Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.