Buckhorn Lake, KY: Muskie, Crappie Fishing & Resort Park

Buckhorn Lake is a scenic mountain reservoir in the rugged eastern Kentucky coalfields – a 1,230-acre lake on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, wrapped in the forested hills of the Daniel Boone National Forest and anchored by a state resort park. Known for muskie, crappie and bass in a beautiful, uncrowded setting, it’s one of the prettiest lakes in the Kentucky mountains. This guide is part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.

Table of Contents

Buckhorn Lake at a glance
How big and deep is Buckhorn Lake?
Fishing Buckhorn Lake
Swimming and the state resort park
Boating, camping and things to do
Water level
Getting there and what’s nearby
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Buckhorn Lake?
What fish are in Buckhorn Lake?
Can you swim at Buckhorn Lake?
Where is Buckhorn Lake?

Buckhorn Lake at a glance

Surface area: ~1,230 acres at summer pool (about 21 miles long, 65 miles of shoreline)
Depth: averages about 25 ft, and roughly 60 ft deep near the dam
Elevation: ~782 ft summer pool, in the Cumberland Plateau of eastern Kentucky
Location: Perry & Leslie counties, about 28 miles west of Hazard
Built: Buckhorn Dam, completed 1967 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) – 162 ft high, on the Middle Fork Kentucky River
Top fish: muskie, largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, bluegill, channel catfish

How big and deep is Buckhorn Lake?

Buckhorn Lake covers about 1,230 acres at summer pool, stretching some 21 miles up the Middle Fork with 65 miles of shoreline, and it averages around 25 feet deep, reaching about 60 feet near the dam. Like most Corps flood-control lakes, it’s drawn down in winter – to around 550 acres at winter pool – so the lake is much larger and more navigable in the summer recreation season.

Fishing Buckhorn Lake

Buckhorn is best known as a muskie hideaway – the long, fingered mountain lake is one of eastern Kentucky’s muskellunge waters – and for solid crappie fishing (good numbers of 9-11 inch fish, with some larger). It also holds largemouth bass, white bass, bluegill and channel catfish. A Kentucky fishing license is required. Crappie fishing is good on the shallow mudflats near the main channel in summer and fall, while the timbered coves and creek arms hold bass and muskie.

Swimming and the state resort park

Buckhorn is home to Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, with a lakeside lodge, cottages, a swimming pool and a sand swimming beach, plus a marina and boat rentals. Lake swimming is available at the beach area, and the lodge makes Buckhorn a comfortable, all-season getaway in the mountains – a rare resort lake in this remote part of Kentucky.

Boating, camping and things to do

A marina and boat ramps support fishing, pontooning and paddling on the quiet, scenic water, and the state park and nearby Corps areas offer camping and cottages. Hiking in the surrounding Daniel Boone National Forest, wildlife watching and simply soaking in the mountain scenery round out a visit. The lake’s remote setting keeps it peaceful even in summer.

Water level

As a Corps flood-control reservoir, Buckhorn is held at summer pool (elevation ~782 ft) for recreation and drawn down to winter pool (~757 ft) for flood storage, which significantly reduces its size. Check the current lake level and ramp status before a boating trip.

Getting there and what’s nearby

Buckhorn Lake is about 28 miles west of Hazard in Perry and Leslie counties, eastern Kentucky, off KY-28. The Daniel Boone National Forest and the Redbird country surround it.

Know before you go

Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required; note muskie regulations.
Resort park: a lodge, cottages, pool and swim beach at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park.
Best seasons: spring and fall for crappie, bass and muskie; summer for the resort, beach and boating.