Boltz Lake is a deep little crappie-and-catfish lake in northern Kentucky’s Grant County – a 92-acre reservoir near Dry Ridge named for the state’s first conservation officer. Steep-sided and surprisingly deep, with quality crappie, big blue catfish and bass over 20 inches, it punches well above its size and is an easy stop right off I-75. This guide is part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.
Boltz Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~92 acres, with about 6.6 miles of shoreline
- Depth: average ~24 ft, maximum ~72 ft – a deep, steep-sided lake
- Elevation: in the Outer Bluegrass of northern Kentucky
- Location: Grant County, about 4 miles north of Dry Ridge (I-75 Exit 159)
- Opened: to public fishing in 1958; named for A. W. Boltz, Kentucky’s first conservation officer
- Top fish: white & black crappie, blue & channel catfish, largemouth bass, saugeye, redear sunfish
How deep is Boltz Lake?
Boltz is remarkably deep for a 92-acre lake, averaging about 24 feet and reaching roughly 72 feet at its deepest. It’s a steep-sided lake with plenty of shallow shoreline and scattered weed beds, a mix that supports both its crappie and its catfish populations.
Fishing Boltz Lake
Boltz Lake is best known for crappie – both white and black, with a good fishery and most fish in the 8-10 inch range and larger ones possible. It also offers blue catfish over 25 inches, quality largemouth bass over 20 inches, channel catfish, and developing saugeye and redear sunfish fisheries. A Kentucky fishing license is required. Work the brush, weed edges and creek channel for crappie and bass, and the deeper water for catfish.
Boating, access and recreation
A public boat ramp provides access to this quiet lake, which is managed primarily for fishing. The deep, steep-sided water and scattered cover suit anglers in boats, kayaks and from the bank. There’s no developed swim beach, so swimming is limited; the focus here is the fishery. Its location just off I-75 makes it an easy stop.
Water level
Boltz is a fairly stable small reservoir, though levels can vary with rainfall. Check conditions before launching.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Boltz Lake is about 4 miles north of Dry Ridge (I-75 Exit 159) in Grant County, northern Kentucky, via KY-22, KY-467 and Mt. Zion Road. Williamstown, the Ark Encounter and nearby Bullock Pen Lake are close by.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required.
- Deep crappie lake: quality crappie, big blue cats and 20-inch bass in a small, deep lake.
- Best seasons: spring and fall for crappie and bass; summer for catfish.
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Boltz Lake?
It averages about 24 feet and reaches roughly 72 feet at its deepest – very deep for a 92-acre lake.
What fish are in Boltz Lake?
White and black crappie, blue and channel catfish, largemouth bass over 20 inches, saugeye and redear sunfish.
Where is Boltz Lake?
In Grant County, northern Kentucky, about 4 miles north of Dry Ridge off I-75 (Exit 159).
Related: explore the small lakes of Kentucky, or head back to the Kentucky Lakes Database.
Explore more Kentucky lakes: the largest lakes in Kentucky and the deepest lakes in Kentucky.