What type of fish is the most common in Kentucky?

KENTUCKY ( FOX 56 ) — As July is beginning to wind down and summer vacation is approaching its end, some families are looking for some last-minute fun things to do with the family.

According to the University of Kentucky , the Bluegrass is home to 45 major lakes, making it a prime location for anglers everywhere to unwind and cast their lines. With as many as 242 total species of fish being reported in Kentucky, this raises the question: what kind of fish are most common in Kentucky?

According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife , there are eight major families of fish, including the temperate bass family, sunfish family, carp family, and catfish family, to name a few.

Of those eight families of fish, Fish and Wildlife is reporting that there are 77 species of perch fish in Kentucky, making it the most diverse family swimming in the Commonwealth. Popular perch fish include the Sauger and Walleye, and their diverse sizes make them a popular sport fish for Kentucky anglers.

After the perch family, the carp family and its 62 species make up the next most common type of fish found in Kentucky, according to Fish and Wildlife. Common types of carp found include:

• Grass Carp
• Common Carp
• Silver Carp
• Bighead Carp
• Black Carp

The remaining six families of fish found in Kentucky range from 19 species to three, with the drum family not specified by Fish and Wildlife.

• Sunfish family – 19 species
• Catfish family – 18 species
• Trout family – 5 species
• Pike family – 4 species
• Temperate bass family – 3 species

Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley report that there are numerous species of bass found in their waters, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and striped bass.

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