Fishing Upper Douglas Lake in Hardin County, Kentucky

• Overview

  Hardin County in Kentucky is where Upper Douglas Lake sits. Beyond the shoreline you have mixed woodland. At 16 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Radcliff at 4.5 miles is the nearest place to stop. It is 31 miles to Louisville, the nearest city. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Upper Douglas Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Across Hardin County, recorded fish include spottail darter, fantail darter, green sunfish, bluegill and greenside darter. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Upper Douglas Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 76°F in July and bottom out at 32°F in January. Some winters cap it and some do not. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Plan around that when you fish Upper Douglas Lake. A rising level after rain switches things on for a day or two.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Lower Douglas Lake, 0.9 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Where Upper Douglas Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.