Kentucky has some genuinely deep lakes – clear, cold reservoirs carved into the hills and river gorges, where depths plunge past 100, 150, even 240 feet. This guide ranks the deepest lakes in Kentucky and explains what makes each one special. It’s part of our Kentucky Lakes Database.
The deepest lakes in Kentucky
- Herrington Lake – about 249 feet, the deepest lake in Kentucky, on the Dix River near Danville.
- Lake Cumberland – more than 190 feet near Wolf Creek Dam; the deepest of the big reservoirs.
- Laurel River Lake – a deep, exceptionally clear lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest.
- Dale Hollow Lake – roughly 150 feet deep, famous for clear water and smallmouth bass.
- Wood Creek Lake – about 127 feet, near London.
- Cannon Creek Lake – about 95 feet, a small but very deep water-supply lake near Pineville.
- Fishtrap Lake – about 84 feet, the deepest lake in eastern Kentucky, behind the state’s highest dam.
Why these lakes are so deep
Kentucky’s deepest lakes fall into two groups. The river-gorge reservoirs – Herrington, Cumberland, Fishtrap – were created by tall dams flooding steep, narrow river valleys, so they’re deep and cliff-lined. The others are small, steep-sided impoundments like Cannon Creek and Lake Carnico that punch above their size. That depth keeps the water cold and clear – which is why several deep Kentucky lakes can support trout, and why Dale Hollow and Laurel River are renowned for clear-water smallmouth.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deepest lake in Kentucky?
Herrington Lake, at about 249 feet, on the Dix River near Danville – the deepest lake in the state. Lake Cumberland (over 190 feet) is the deepest of the very large reservoirs.
How deep is Lake Cumberland?
More than 190 feet near Wolf Creek Dam, making it the deepest of Kentucky’s major reservoirs.
Are there deep lakes for trout in Kentucky?
Yes – deep, cold lakes and tailwaters such as Lake Cumberland, Laurel River, Wood Creek and Cannon Creek support trout, in addition to the famous Cumberland tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam.
See the largest lakes, best lakes, or head back to the Kentucky Lakes Database.
Quick answers about Kentucky lakes
What is the deepest lake in Kentucky?
Lake Cumberland is the deepest lake in Kentucky, over 190 feet deep near the dam; Dale Hollow Lake is also very deep and clear.
