Kentucky is an ancient land. From the weathered, yet rugged, Central Appalachians in the east, the land falls begrudgingly to the west and north, containing all or large portions of seven major tributaries of the Ohio River. The western Jackson Purchase is formed of Mississippi Valley Loess and contains extensive wetlands, including large stands of hardwood wetlands. These waters give Kentucky more miles of running water than any state except Alaska. Kentucky’s fisheries are diverse with gamefish ranging from tiny mountainous brook trout to monstrous river catfish, muskellunge and walleye to striped bass and rainbow trout. It’s bass that Kentucky is most known for, having shared in the world record 11 lb., 15 oz. small mouth hauled out of Dale Hollow Lake in 1955.