Kentucky has almost no natural lakes – and yet it has some of the best lake fishing and boating in the country, thanks to a chain of vast reservoirs built across its rivers by the TVA and the Army Corps of Engineers. From the inland seas of the west to the clear mountain lakes of the east, this is our running guide to the best lakes in Kentucky: where to fish, swim, paddle, camp and houseboat. Every lake links to a full visitor guide in our Kentucky Lakes Database.
The biggest lakes in Kentucky
Kentucky Lake is the giant – the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi – paired with its twin Lake Barkley around the Land Between the Lakes. Lake Cumberland, the houseboating capital of the world, ranks just behind them, with Dale Hollow, Barren River and Cave Run rounding out the big water.
Best lakes for fishing
Kentucky is a fishing destination of national rank. For striped bass, head to Lake Cumberland; for the world’s best smallmouth, Dale Hollow (home of the world record); for crappie, the legendary Kentucky Lake and Barkley; for muskie, Cave Run (the “Muskie Capital of the South”); and for trophy largemouth, Greenbo and Yatesville. See our full guide to fishing in Kentucky for species-by-species detail.
Clearest and most scenic lakes
For clear water and scenery, the eastern lakes win: Laurel River Lake and Dale Hollow are among the cleanest in the state and popular for scuba diving, while Grayson Lake‘s sandstone cliffs and Paintsville Lake‘s narrow bluffs make for canyon-like paddling.
Best lakes for houseboating and watersports
Lake Cumberland is the houseboating capital – see our dedicated Lake Cumberland houseboating guide – with Kentucky Lake, Barkley and Dale Hollow close behind for big-water boating and watersports.
Best lakes for a state-park weekend
Kentucky’s state resort parks put a lodge, golf and a marina right on the water: Barren River, Rough River, Lake Barkley, Jenny Wiley (Dewey Lake) and Greenbo all deliver the full resort experience, while parks at Green River, Nolin and Carr Creek offer great camping and beaches.
This guide grows as we add lakes. Browse the full database by Largest Lakes of Kentucky and Small Lakes, or head back to the Kentucky Lakes Database.
