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Clinton County wildlife management area
A hunter's guide to Lake Cumberland WMA
Wildlife management area in Clinton County and 4 more counties (38,788 acres; Zone 3).
Hunting gearPhoto: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Lake Cumberland WMA
Parking, trailheads and gates near Lake Cumberland WMA
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
What to know about who runs Lake Cumberland WMA
Lake Cumberland is a Corps of Engineers project; Lake Cumberland WMA covers its huntable ground.
Sources: eCFR · KDFWR area page; checked November 10, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Lake Cumberland WMA
Lake Cumberland WMA: acreage, habitat and directions
Lake Cumberland WMA takes in some 38,788 acres across 5 Kentucky counties; for KDFWR purposes it falls in the Southeast Region. For upkeep and posted rules, look to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Title to the ground is held by U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. In KDFWR's tiering it is a moderate-level area.
How KDFWR describes Lake Cumberland WMA:
- WMA consists of shoreline surrounding Lake Cumberland. Fishing in Poynter, Clifty, and Coldwater creeks, 10 miles west of Somerset on KY 80, then 7 miles on Piney Grove RD. Caney Fork Creek, 8 miles northeast of Jamestown on KY 619. Many other access points, roads and trails around lake.
- Gently sloping creek bottoms to steep ridges, hardwood forests, old farmlands, wildlife plantings. Fishing and hiking. Opportunities for hunting, fishing, boating, and birding on the lake.
- Mobility impaired access to permit holders in designated area. For camping, check with owner. Camping facilities and horseback riding trails available at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and General Burnside State Park are nearby.
Land cover on Lake Cumberland WMA is mostly forest, about 89 percent of the area.
Green cove of Lake Cumberland with rock ledges exposed at low water
Acres: KDFWR Public Lands Search detail page ("Size: 38788 acres"). Description and habitat from the area record; checked November 10, 2026.
Season by season on Lake Cumberland WMA
Counting the chart cells for Lake Cumberland WMA: open 11, closed 1, quota only 0.
| Chart column | On this area | Exception |
|---|---|---|
| Deer archery, crossbow | Open | – |
| Deer muzzleloader | Open | – |
| Deer modern gun | Open | – |
| Deer youth gun | Open | – |
| Fall squirrel | Open | – |
| Rabbit | Open | 1 |
| Grouse | Open | 2 |
| Quail | Open | 1 |
| Fall turkey | Open | – |
| Furbearer | Open | – |
| Bear | Open | – |
| Elk quota | Closed | – |
- Open Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, except during the opening weekend of modern gun deer season.
- Open Oct. 1 –Dec. 31.
From the 2026-27 quick reference charts on the KDFWR Public Land Hunting page; footnotes are KDFWR exceptions as printed. Checked November 10, 2026.
Lake Cumberland WMA regulations and restrictions
Where the list below is silent, Lake Cumberland WMA follows the statewide regulations for the county. KDFWR notes designated mobility-impaired access here.
- Grouse season open Oct. 1-Dec. 31.
- Areas of the WMA located in Clinton and McCreary counties are not open for the special antlerless season.
- Area: Caney Fork Unit.
- Terrain: Highly variable- Level to steep.
- ADA Acreage: 1,500 Acres.
Area regulations as printed on the KDFWR area page; WMA rules in 301 KAR 3:010 and 301 KAR 2:178. Checked November 10, 2026.
Lake Cumberland WMA deer zone and season windows
A quarry listed for Lake Cumberland WMA.
Black bear looking out from green forest undergrowth
Because Lake Cumberland WMA crosses into Deer Zones 3 and 4, the whole area uses the more liberal Zone 3 rules (301 KAR 2:178). Note the 2026 change: Clinton and Russell counties sits one zone lower than it did last season.
| County | Deer zone | Short rule | Shift | CWD | Bear | Elk zone | Western or Eastern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton County | Deer Zone 3 | 4 deer, 1 gun antlerless | 4 to 3 | No | Bear Zone 3 | No | Eastern |
| McCreary County | Deer Zone 4 | 2 deer, 1 antlerless | No | Check county | Bear Zone 1 | Yes | Eastern |
| Pulaski County | Deer Zone 3 | 4 deer, 1 gun antlerless | No | Check county | Bear Zone 2 | No | Eastern |
| Russell County | Deer Zone 3 | 4 deer, 1 gun antlerless | 4 to 3 | Yes | Bear Zone 2 | No | Eastern |
| Wayne County | Deer Zone 3 | 4 deer, 1 gun antlerless | No | Check county | Bear Zone 3 | No | Eastern |
Zone 3 deer dates
| Hunt | Where | Start | End | Now | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Crossbow | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Youth, senior crossbow | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| CWD antlerless | CWD counties | Sep 25, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Youth gun | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Early Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Modern gun | Zone 3 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Late Muzzleloader | Zone 3 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Free youth weekend | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | Guide p. 12 |
Read this table together with the chart: Lake Cumberland WMA can be closed to a season the zone allows.
Zones from 301 KAR 2:172 and the KDFWR deer zone layer; dates from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
CWD, bear and elk rules at Lake Cumberland WMA
CWD status
Because McCreary, Pulaski, Russell and Wayne counties sit inside the CWD Surveillance Zone, Lake Cumberland WMA hunters must follow the carcass rules. Deer killed in McCreary, Pulaski and Wayne counties from November 14 to November 16, 2026 must be brought to a staffed check station. Hunters in Pulaski, Russell and Wayne counties get the September 25 to September 28, 2026 CWD antlerless season.
Black bear
Bear hunting here follows Bear Zones 1, 2 and 3 dates, and permits are over the counter.
| Season | Zone | Window | Today | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase only | Bear Zones 1, 2, 3 | Jun 1–Aug 31 Sep 9–30 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 1 | Oct 24–26 | Guide p. 18 | |
| With dogs | Bear Zone 1 | Oct 19–23 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Firearm | Bear Zone 1 | Dec 12–14 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 2 | Oct 24–28 | Guide p. 18 | |
| With dogs | Bear Zone 2 | Oct 19–23 Oct 29–Nov 6 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Firearm | Bear Zone 2 | Dec 12–16 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 3 | Sep 19–Oct 2 Oct 24–28 | Guide p. 18 | |
| With dogs | Bear Zone 3 | Oct 19–23 Oct 29–Nov 6 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Firearm | Bear Zone 3 | Dec 12–16 | Guide p. 18 |
Elk hunting
The elk draw governs Lake Cumberland WMA. KDFWR drew 500 elk permits for 2026.
| Permit type | When | Now | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bull, firearms | Sep 26–30 Oct 3–7 | Guide p. 22 | |
| Cow, firearms | Nov 28–Dec 2 Jan 2–6 | Guide p. 22 | |
| Archery, crossbow | Sep 12–25 Dec 5–11 | Guide p. 22 | |
| Youth quota | Sep 12–Jan 6 | Guide p. 22 |
CWD from the KDFWR CWD Surveillance Zone; bear from 301 KAR 2:300; elk from 301 KAR 2:132; checked November 10, 2026. CWD zone · bear zones · elk zone.
Telecheck numbers near Lake Cumberland WMA
County totals give a feel for the game around Lake Cumberland WMA; no area-level harvest exists. Pulaski County led with 2,359 deer in 2025-26, 12th of 120 counties.
| County | 2025-26 deer | Rank | Spring turkey | Bear harvest | Elk harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton County | 483 | 105th | 252 | 1 | – |
| McCreary County | 441 | 109th | 200 | 1 | – |
| Pulaski County | 2,359 | 12th | 659 | 2 | – |
| Russell County | 597 | 96th | 256 | – | – |
| Wayne County | 1,057 | 57th | 366 | 13 | – |
KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck, license years); spring turkey by calendar spring; checked November 10, 2026.
Public ground within a short drive of Lake Cumberland WMA
A straight-line hop of 13 miles southwest reaches Dale Hollow Lake WMA. Around it on the map: 5 wildlife management areas and 1 state park.
| Neighbour | Category | Acreage | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale Hollow Lake WMA | WMA | 5,632 | Clinton | 13 miles | southwest |
| Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park | State park | 3,413 | Clinton | 16 miles | southwest |
| Meadow Creek WMA | WMA | 232 | Wayne | 22 miles | east |
| R. F. Tarter WMA | WMA | 1,171 | Adair | 24 miles | north |
| Mud Camp Creek WMA | WMA | 572 | Cumberland | 24 miles | west |
| Marrowbone State Forest and WMA | WMA | 1,955 | Cumberland | 28 miles | west |
Point: KDFWR Public Hunting Areas layer (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Where hunters at Lake Cumberland WMA buy ice and fuel
Of the towns covered here, Albany sits closest, a straight 9 miles from Lake Cumberland WMA. Monticello, 14 miles out, is bigger: 5,726 people (2024). Williamsburg has the nearest KDFWR office, 53 miles out. Regional questions go to (606) 344-0585 (Southeast Region).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | Clinton | 1,744 | 9 miles | south |
| Jamestown | Russell | 1,884 | 12 miles | north |
| Monticello | Wayne | 5,726 | 14 miles | east |
| Burkesville | Cumberland | 1,386 | 15 miles | west |
| Russell Springs | Russell | 2,807 | 16 miles | north |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); KDFWR offices from the KDFWR contact page and the regional biologists map; businesses from services.json listings (call ahead); straight-line miles. Checked November 10, 2026.
Sunrise, sunset and shooting light at Lake Cumberland WMA
Lake Cumberland WMA keeps Central Time, so these times are on the local clock; the state line between Central and Eastern Time runs through the middle of Kentucky.
| Date | Event | Sunrise | Sunset | General rule | Bird rule | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 6:14 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 5:44 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 5:44 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. | CDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Bear Zone 3 archery; deer crossbow opens | 6:25 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 5:55 a.m. to 7:14 p.m. | 5:55 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | CDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 6:42 a.m. | 6:12 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 6:42 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 6:12 p.m. | CDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 6:48 a.m. | 6:03 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. | CDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 3 gun opener | 6:17 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 5:47 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. | 5:47 a.m. to 4:33 p.m. | CST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:29 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. | CST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 3 gun closes | 6:32 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Bear Zone 3 firearm; late muzzleloader | 6:44 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:49 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 6:51 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | CST |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
Closest benches to Lake Cumberland WMA
The first of the three cards, South Central Trap, sits 14 miles from Lake Cumberland WMA.
From the KDFWR range layer and permit list, club sites and directory listings, checked November 10, 2026.
Four picks for a day at Lake Cumberland WMA
Lake Cumberland WMA picks open as live Amazon searches, so the prices shown are current ones.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Climbing stand
A climbing stand is worth the room in the truck when the November gun opener arrives.
Box call
Fall and spring turkey hunters across Kentucky rarely leave a box call at home.
Snow on the banks at Wolf Creek Dam on Lake CumberlandPhoto: Mark Hostetter (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District) (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Lake Cumberland at dusk between steep wooded cliffsPhoto: John Beagle (CC BY 2.0)
Common questions about hunting Lake Cumberland WMA
What permits does Lake Cumberland WMA require?
No extra permit is listed, but Corps project rules (36 CFR 327.8) apply on the Corps land.
What zone do deer hunters use at Lake Cumberland WMA?
Zone 3, whose short rule is 4 deer, 1 gun antlerless. It touches Deer Zones 3 and 4, and a two-zone area follows the most liberal one.
Which seasons are open on Lake Cumberland WMA this year?
The 2026-27 KDFWR chart marks 11 season columns open, 1 closed and 0 quota-only on Lake Cumberland WMA.
Must I apply to hunt deer on Lake Cumberland WMA?
No deer quota hunt is scheduled there for 2026-27.
What are the carcass rules for Lake Cumberland WMA deer?
The CWD zone limits apply because of McCreary, Pulaski, Russell and Wayne counties.
Is there a bear quota for Lake Cumberland WMA?
No; Kentucky has no bear quota and bear permits are over the counter.
Which elk unit is Lake Cumberland WMA in?
The elk zone.
Is Lake Cumberland WMA a big area?
It runs to 38,788 acres by the record.
Is there a town near Lake Cumberland WMA?
Yes, Albany, some 9 miles away.
Do waterfowl hours differ on Lake Cumberland WMA?
Yes, migratory birds and waterfowl close at sunset, not half an hour after.
Which number reaches someone about Lake Cumberland WMA?
Call the area line at (270) 283-0244, or the Southeast Region coordinator at (606) 344-0585.
Morning-of checklist for Lake Cumberland WMA
Look up road, flood and weather closures affecting Lake Cumberland WMA before you set off.
Sources: KDFWR area page · KDFWR page · KDFWR map layer · KDFWR PDF; seasons from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
Other photos on this page: John Beagle (CC BY 2.0); marneejill (CC BY-SA 2.0).