Hunting & Fishing
Buy License and Permits
Bring out your inner Daniel Boone with a hunting trip in Kentucky’s beautiful forests, rolling open fields and spectacular mountains. In Kentucky, you’ll discover abundant public lands to explore in search of wild game. London – Laurel County is host to a plethora of hunting and fishing opportunities. Whether you like to bow hunt for whitetail deer or wait patiently for wild turkey from your carefully crafted blind… London – Laurel County has it all. Download the Kentucky Hunting Guide.
Cane Creek
WMA
Hunting
Cane Creek Info
This vast wildlife management area is actually located within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Covering over 6,000 acres, Cane Creek WMA is mostly steep, hilly terrain. The WMA is open to statewide hunting regulations, and hunters usually hunt for whitetail deer, wild turkey, squirrel & some other small game. Approximately 15 miles west of London, primarily hilly, steep terrain, mostly forested with only a few openings. No developed facilities. For camping check with owner. Within Daniel Boone National Forest. Owned by U.S. Forest Service
Daniel Boone National Forest
Hunting
DBNF Info
The Daniel Boone National Forest is home to a wide variety of game species, including deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, quail, woodcock, squirrel, rabbit, fox, raccoon, waterfowl, and elk. Hunting is allowed in most areas of the Daniel Boone National Forest with appropriate Kentucky hunting licenses.
Whitman
Branch
Shooting Range
Whitman Branch Info
Whitman Branch Shooting Range is located on London Ranger District. It features has 5 shooting benches with 2 lanes at 100 yards, 1 lane at 50 yards, and 2 lanes at 25 yards. Blocks for hanging targets at the end of each lane. This range is located just south of Laurel River Lake dam off of KY 1193.
Mill Creek
WMA
Hunting
Mill Creek Info
Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area is cooperatively managed with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to promote and sustain native wildlife populations. The terrain is mostly hilly with steep slopes and long, narrow ridges. Some flat areas occur in the bottoms and on the tops of ridges. The area is mostly wooded with nearly 30 acres maintained as wildlife openings. The area has no developed facilities. Mill Creek is located in Jackson County, Kentucky, just two miles south of McKee on the London Ranger District.
FISHING IN LAUREL COUNTY
The lush tree-lined shores and deep rocky terrain allows for a successful year-round fishing season for Laurel River Lake. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources continually monitors fishing environments, as well as stocking the waters annually with several species for sport fishing.
The Daniel Boone National Forest gives our fisheries a unique environment. Our lakes, rivers and streams are teeming with fish including, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill and more!
Laurel River Lake
5,600 Acres
Holly Bay Marina
Laurel River Lake offers shallow brush, deep shoulder, man-made structure, and cove fishing to entertain a variety of species of freshwater fish. The deep waters and underwater vegatation allow for fishing from the coldest to warmest months of the year. Fishing for black bass, rainbow trout, walleye, crappie, blue gill and catfish is excellent. Night fishing for trout is also popular during the summer months. The Department of Fish and Wildlife provides annual reports of expected fishing conditions to allow for planning a successful trip.
Wood Creek Lake
672 Acres
Wood Creek Lake Info
Considered one of Kentucky’s best kept secrets and home of the 2nd largest state record largemouth bass, weighing in at an incredible 13 pounds 10 ounces! One of the smaller lakes in Kentucky, Wood Creek Lake harbors many species of trophy fish including trout, crappie, catfish, bass, and panfish. The lake is available for public access with a low rise boat ramp and local bait shops to provide a seamless fishing experience. Locals find that night fishing for catfish won’t leave you going home empty handed. Since it is not a widely known tourist attraction, the waters are often smooth as glass, with only an occasional fisherman passing by. If you are planning an overnight stay, the lake offers several rental sites including cabins on the waterfront.
Rockcastle River
River
Rockcastle River Info
The Rockcastle River, whose flow forms the border of Rockcastle and Laurel counties, is one of Kentucky’s best whitewater streams. The river also holds good populations of smallmouth bass and rock bass. It offers something for everyone, whether it’s mild water for anglers and family trips, or challenging whitewater for the kayaker.
The floatable section begins after the confluence of the Middle Fork and South Fork of the Rockcastle at the community of Livingston. The section of the Rockcastle from Livingston to Billows is a good float for anglers, beginners, families and canoe campers. All boaters should wear a life vest while floating Rockcastle River, or have enough on board for every person.
Cane Creek
Bank Access
Download Cane Creek WMA
Southwest of London, KY, you’ll find an area in the vicinity of Cane Creek WMA that offers a plethora of gravel roads. The Cane Creek Wildlife Management Area is cooperatively managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to provide sustainable populations of game and nongame wildlife species. Enjoy a hilly route on relatively well-maintained forest roads, 27 miles of gravel roads preview your ride with Kentucky Cycling.