Laurel River Lake, KY: Trout, Walleye, Diving & Camping

Q: Can you scuba dive in Laurel River Lake?

Yes, it's one of the clearest lakes in Kentucky and a popular scuba-diving and swimming destination beneath the forested bluffs.

Laurel River Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. Public domain.

Laurel River Lake is one of Kentucky’s clearest, cleanest and most scenic lakes – a deep, 5,600-acre reservoir wrapped almost entirely in the forested hills of the Daniel Boone National Forest in southeastern Kentucky. With nearly 200 miles of tree-lined, undeveloped shoreline, gin-clear water cold enough for stocked trout, and steep bluffs that draw scuba divers, Laurel River is a different animal from the warm, sprawling reservoirs to the west.

This guide covers Laurel River Lake: the fishing, the clear-water boating and diving, the camping and marinas, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.

Table of Contents

Laurel River Lake at a glance
Fishing Laurel River Lake
Clear water, boating and diving
Camping and the national forest
Getting there and what’s nearby
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Laurel River Lake?
Can you scuba dive in Laurel River Lake?
Where can you camp at Laurel River Lake?
Where is Laurel River Lake?

Laurel River Lake at a glance

Surface area: ~5,600 acres; ~206 miles of forested shoreline; deep and very clear
Location: Laurel & Whitley counties, southeastern Kentucky (near London and Corbin)
Built: Laurel River Dam on the Laurel River, completed 1974 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers); within the Daniel Boone National Forest
Top fish: rainbow trout, walleye, smallmouth & largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish

Fishing Laurel River Lake

The cold, clear water gives Laurel River an unusual mix for Kentucky:

Rainbow trout – stocked and cruising the cool depths; summer night-fishing for trout is a local tradition.
Walleye – a strong, stocked fishery, best in the cooler months and low light.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass on the rocky banks, bluffs and points.
Bluegill, crappie and catfish round out the catch.

A Kentucky fishing license is required; check the trout and walleye regulations. The clear water means fish can be line-shy – lighter tackle and low light help.

Clear water, boating and diving

Laurel River is prized for its water clarity – among the cleanest lakes in Kentucky – which makes it a favorite for scuba diving, swimming and quiet boating beneath the wooded bluffs. Because almost the entire shoreline is national-forest land, there’s little development to spoil the view; you’ll share the water with anglers, pontoons, kayaks and the occasional diver rather than crowds. Two marinas – Holly Bay and Grove – provide ramps, rentals, fuel and supplies.

Camping and the national forest

The Forest Service runs lakeside campgrounds including Holly Bay (the largest, with a beach and boat ramp) and Grove, and the surrounding Daniel Boone National Forest offers hiking on the Sheltowee Trace and stunning nearby scenery. Just to the south, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park – the “Niagara of the South,” famous for its rare moonbow – is a short drive and a perfect add-on.

Getting there and what’s nearby

Laurel River Lake is just off Interstate 75 between London and Corbin, about 1.5 hours south of Lexington and an hour north of Knoxville. Cumberland Falls, the Daniel Boone National Forest and Lake Cumberland to the west make for an outstanding outdoor weekend.

Know before you go

Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required; note the trout and walleye regulations.
Clear, deep, cold water: great for diving and swimming, but no lifeguards – wear a life jacket.
Keep it clean: Laurel River’s clarity is its hallmark – pack out what you bring in.
Best seasons: spring and fall for walleye and bass, summer for trout (including night fishing), diving and swimming.