Nolin River Lake Tailwater

The one KDFWR ramp below Nolin River Lake Dam. Stocked trout under statewide limits; no live discharge reading for this reach — the pool figures on the back are the lake’s.

THE TAILWATER AREA CORRIDOR KY 728 off KY 259 · KDFWR coordinates

Three things to get right

What you hear	What the primary sources actually say
"KDFWR says the ramp is closed."	The note refers to a 2016 event. NPS: Lock and Dam 6 "was ultimately removed." The Corps (via WNKY, 20 Aug 2026) closed this ramp for improvements on 24 Aug 2026, reopening before Labor Day. Nobody here has checked it today — call (270) 286-4511.
"Check the USGS gauge for the flow."	It reports no discharge. USGS 03311000 lists gage height and water temperature only; its last displayed values were dated 1 Aug 2026 when read. For today’s release, call the Corps.
"The lake’s 15-in bass and 10-in crappie limits apply below the dam."	They do not. 301 KAR 1:201 §3(55) lists Nolin River Lake; no subsection lists the river below the dam, so statewide limits apply here — as KDFWR’s own record says.

What this road actually gets you

KDFWR, verbatim: “KY 259 N of Brownsville; right on KY 728; follow signs to tailwater area.” “Any light trailerable recreational boat”; paved, single lane, no fee, no dock; paved parking for 25 or fewer; ramp and shoreline year-round, restrooms seasonal. The Corps’ Tailwater Day Use area shares the ground: playground, picnic sites (free), reservable group shelter ($65), grills, kiosk.

Trout stocked here, KDFWR archive rows: 2,000 on 8 Oct 2025 and 13 Nov 2025; 1,000 each on 1 Apr, 19 May, 18 Jun and 14 Jul 2026; Sep 2025 “postponed until further notice due to water conditions.” Species headings not captured — counted as trout. Trout permit “Required for trout fishermen.” No trotlines, jugs or set lines within 200 yards of the dam (statewide).

LIMESTONE DRIFT

NOLIN RIVER LAKE TAILWATER Access and limits

Access site

Site	Fee	Notes
Nolin River Lake Tailwater asid 157 · Edmonson Co.	No	Listed: single lane, paved, no dock, parking ≤25, no camping. Latest sourced status: Corps via WNKY, 20 Aug 2026 — closed for improvements from 24 Aug, reopening before Labor Day. Unconfirmed: today’s condition — call (270) 286-4511 before you drive.

Statewide limits — the only limits on this reach

Species	Size	Daily limit
Rainbow trout	none	8
Brown trout	16 in	1
Brook trout	—	Catch and release
Black bass — largemouth & smallmouth	12 in	6
Walleye / sauger / hybrids	14 in	6, combined

No special method rule applies here — no subsection of 301 KAR 1:201 restricts gear or bait on the Nolin below the dam. Possession is twice the daily limit; no culling statewide (§2(1)(i)1, read directly and confirmed twice). The lake’s own limits (§3(55): 15-in black bass, 10-in crappie) stop at the lake. Kentucky’s trout permit is required to fish for trout.

The lake’s figures, for context only: summer pool 515.0 ft, winter 492.0, fall drawdown 15 Sep–1 Dec. Minimum discharge 50 cfs is one dated Corps statement (Jul 2025), not a current reading. Corps office (270) 286-4511, 2150 Nolin Dam Road, Bee Spring KY 42207, Central time · USGS 03311000 (stage/temp only) · Nolin Lake State Park camping (270) 286-4240.

Sources: KDFWR wid=80, asid 157, the Yearly Trout Stocking Archive, the Statewide Size and Daily Limits page, the Houchins Ferry Fish page, the Fishing & Boating Guide Mar 2026–Feb 2027; 301 KAR 1:201; NPS Mammoth Cave (float, river rules, fishing, Tailwater and Houchin Ferry pages); USACE Nolin River Lake pages and the 7 Jul 2025 release; WNKY 20 Aug 2026 quoting the Corps; USGS 03311000.
Conditions change. Verify access, releases and regulations before you travel. Revised September 2026.

limestonedrift.comAlerts and the water page

Water alerts. We email when the rules or the access on this reach actually change — not on a schedule. limestonedrift.com/alerts/?w=nolin-river-lake-tailwater