Lake Beshear is a 760-acre bass-and-crappie lake in western Kentucky, the centerpiece of Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park near Dawson Springs. Known for an excellent largemouth bass population and good crappie fishing, wrapped in the woods of the Pennyrile region with a lodge, cottages and a swim beach, it’s a relaxed all-season getaway in Caldwell and Christian counties. This guide is part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.
- Lake Beshear at a glance
- How deep is Lake Beshear?
- Fishing Lake Beshear
- 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 Lake Beshear?
- What fish are in Lake Beshear?
- Can you swim at Lake Beshear?
- Where is Lake Beshear?
Lake Beshear at a glance
- Surface area: ~760 acres
- Depth: average ~10 ft, maximum ~35 ft
- Elevation: in the Pennyrile region of western Kentucky
- Location: Caldwell & Christian counties, near Dawson Springs (Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park)
- Built: impounded 1962
- Top fish: largemouth bass, white crappie, channel catfish, bluegill
How deep is Lake Beshear?
Lake Beshear averages about 10 feet deep and reaches roughly 35 feet at its deepest across its 760 acres. The fertile, cover-rich water is excellent bass habitat, which is a big reason the lake grows such a strong largemouth population.
Fishing Lake Beshear
Lake Beshear has an excellent population of good-sized largemouth bass and is a popular bass destination, with good white crappie, plus channel catfish and bluegill. A Kentucky fishing license is required. Anglers work the timber, points and brush for bass and crappie; the lake fishes well from boats and the bank, and crappie action is strong in spring around cover.
Swimming and the state resort park
Lake Beshear lies within Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, one of Kentucky’s classic resort parks, with a lakeside lodge, cottages, a campground, a sand swimming beach, a swimming pool, hiking trails and a golf course. Lake swimming is available at the beach, making Beshear a comfortable family destination as well as a fishing lake – a rare combination of resort amenities and a quality fishery.
Boating, camping and things to do
A marina and boat ramps support fishing, pontooning and paddling, and the state park offers camping, cottages, trails and golf. Hiking the Pennyrile forest, swimming and lakeside relaxing round out a visit. The park’s mix of water and woods makes it a popular weekend escape in western Kentucky.
Water level
Lake Beshear is a fairly stable state-park lake, though levels can vary with rainfall and management. Check conditions before launching.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Lake Beshear is near Dawson Springs in Caldwell and Christian counties, western Kentucky, within Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park off the Pennyrile Parkway. Hopkinsville and the Pennyrile region surround it.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required.
- Resort park: lodge, cottages, pool, swim beach and golf at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.
- Best seasons: spring for crappie and bass; summer for the resort, beach and boating.
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Beshear?
It averages about 10 feet and reaches roughly 35 feet at its deepest, across about 760 acres.
What fish are in Lake Beshear?
Largemouth bass (an excellent population), white crappie, channel catfish and bluegill.
Can you swim at Lake Beshear?
Yes – Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park has a sand swim beach and a swimming pool, plus a lodge, cottages and camping.
Where is Lake Beshear?
In Caldwell and Christian counties, western Kentucky, near Dawson Springs in Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.
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.
