Skip to content

Fly fishing in and around Louisville Kentucky

Derby City Fly Fishers

  • Home
    • Education and Instruction
    • Community Support
    • Conservation
    • Contact Us
  • About
    • Board of Directors 2025
    • By Laws
  • Membership
  • Events & Trips
    • 2025 Trips
    • Calendar of Events
    • Classes & Special Events
    • Trip Information and Suitability
  • Classifieds
    • Place Ad
    • Browse Ads
    • Search Ads
    • Edit Ad
  • Fly Tying
    • Fly of The Month
    • 2018 Fly Tying Year
    • 2017 Fly Tying Year
    • 2016 Fly Tying Year
    • Flybrary
  • Reference
    • Newsletters (Archive)
    • Local Waters March 2025
    • Michigan Base Camp Information
    • Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
    • Indiana Department of Natural Resources
    • U.S. Fish and Wildlife
    • Jack’s Knot
    • New to Fly Fishing
    • Fly Fishing Knots
    • Releasing Fish
    • Stream Gauge Links
  • Stream Info.
    • Cumberland River
    • Hatchery Creek
    • Otter Creek
    • Floyd’s Fork
    • Elkhorn Creek
    • Ohio River – McAlpine Dam
    • Kentucky Blue Water Trails
    • “Fly Fishing Kentucky”, a book
  • DCFF Member Login
    • DCFF Member Login
    • Member Registration
    • My Account
    • Lost password
  • Member Discounts
  • Websites of Interest
  • DCFF Logo’d merchandise
  • Picture Galleries
    • 2025 Fly Fishing 101
    • Shakamak 2025 Gallery
    • 2025 Bass Pro / Cabela’s Spring Classic
    • Taylorsville Lake Habitat Project Dec 2024
    • Salato Wildlife Center 2024
    • Obey River Trip Report June 2023
    • Greene-Sullivan/Shakamak Trip Report June 2023
    • Boundary Waters Canoe Area Trip June 2023
    • Casting for Recovery Retreat Oct 2023
    • Otter Creek Instructional Outing Nov 2023
  • Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show
    • 2025 Fly Show
    • 2024 Fly Show
    • 2023 Fly Show

Otter Creek

Entrance to Otter Creek Wildlife Recreation Area

Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area is operated by the Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife Resources. An entry permit is required. All permits must be purchased online (main gate both is closed.) A day permit costs $3. An annual permit costs $30 that runs to June of the next year, click here to purchase.  For more information about Otter Creek, visit the website.  It is possible to fish Otter Creek on the Fort Knox Military Reservation if you obtain a permit.

The Recreation Area is open 7 days a week year round from dawn to dusk.  If you are leaving late and the gate is closed, approach slowly and the automatic gate will open.  The area is closed during quota dear hunts in the fall, so checking the website is a good idea.  You can also call the fishing and trails hotline at 502-942-9171.  Unfortunately, there is no on line gauge for Otter Creek.

In the summer, Otter Creek has a nice population of typical Kentucky warm water stream fish including Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and various sunfish. There is a slot limit on Smallmouth to help develop the fishery. In the winter, the Kentucky Division of Wildlife Resources stocks rainbow trout at three locations along the stream to spread out the fish. Click here to check the current month’s stocking schedule.  Otter Creek is a delayed harvest stream with catch and release in effect from October 1st through March 31st. The State also stocks 500 browns on the Fort Knox portion of the stream.

Otter Creek Rainbow 3-6-14

Otter Creek is a great place to fish and enjoy the day.  The best way to fish the creek is by wading, but there are some opportunities to fish from the bank.  2 to 6 weight rods work well and typical nymph worm, and egg patterns will take fish.  Jig flies fished under an indicator work best in the Winter.  When the water temperatures warm in the Spring, actively fishing Wooly Buggers, Leaches and other small streamers can be very effective.

Otter Creek below Garnettsville in Winter

Otter Creek below Garnettsville in Winter

Upcoming Events

May 17
10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Quest Outdoors Fly Tying

May 21
May 21 - May 23

Green River Trip 2025 (Canceled)

May 21
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Monthly Meeting-Outdoor

May 25
May 25 - May 31

Michigan Anglers Base Camp (week3)

May 28
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Fly Tying – Cabela’s

May 29
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Fly Tying – Bass Pro

Jun 4
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Board of Directors Meeting

Jun 5
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Kentuckiana Fly tyers Fly Tying Night

Jun 6
10:30 am - 3:00 pm

KDFW Pfeiffer Hatchery Tour / Stream Fishing Day Trip

Jun 7
June 7 - June 14

Canada-Water Falls Lodge, Spanish Ontario

View Calendar

Derby City Fly Fishers Webmaster