Grayson Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in eastern Kentucky – a 1,500-acre reservoir on the Little Sandy River whose shoreline is walled by dramatic sandstone bluffs and cliffs that give the upper lake the feel of a miniature canyon. With a state park, good bass and crappie fishing, and quiet, cliff-lined coves perfect for paddling, Grayson rewards anyone willing to venture off I-64 in the northeastern hills.
This guide covers Grayson Lake: the fishing, the state park and the canyon-like scenery. It’s part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.
Grayson Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~1,510 acres; ~70 miles of cliff-lined shoreline
- Location: Carter & Elliott counties, northeastern Kentucky (near Grayson)
- Built: Grayson Dam on the Little Sandy River, completed 1968 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
- Top fish: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, muskie
Fishing Grayson Lake
Grayson is a quiet, productive fishery: largemouth bass along the rocky banks and in the coves, crappie on the brush and timber, plus bluegill, catfish and stocked muskie. A Kentucky fishing license is required. The deep, cliff-lined sections fish differently from the shallow upper arms – and the scenery alone is worth the trip.
Grayson Lake State Park and the cliffs
Grayson Lake State Park offers a campground, a boat ramp and marina, a miniature-golf and beach area, and the standout Lick Falls Overlook trail along the sandstone gorge. The towering bluffs – some of the most striking lake scenery in Kentucky – make Grayson a favorite for kayakers and photographers, who paddle beneath the cliffs into narrow, shaded coves. It’s a peaceful, under-the-radar destination.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Grayson Lake is just south of Interstate 64 at Grayson, about 1.5 hours east of Lexington and 40 minutes west of Huntington, West Virginia. Carter Caves State Resort Park, with its caves and natural bridges, is a short drive north.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required; note any muskie regulations.
- Scenery: the upper lake’s sandstone cliffs are the highlight – bring a kayak and a camera.
- Best seasons: spring and fall for bass and crappie, summer for camping, paddling and the beach.
Frequently asked questions
What is Grayson Lake known for?
Its dramatic sandstone cliffs and bluffs, which give the upper lake a canyon-like feel and make it one of the most scenic lakes in eastern Kentucky.
What fish are in Grayson Lake?
Largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and stocked muskie.
Where is Grayson Lake?
In northeastern Kentucky just south of I-64 at Grayson, about 1.5 hours east of Lexington.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Kentucky, or head back to the Kentucky Lakes Database.
Explore more Kentucky lakes: the largest lakes in Kentucky and the deepest lakes in Kentucky.
