Bullock Pen Lake is a popular crappie-and-catfish lake in northern Kentucky, straddling the Boone-Grant county line near Crittenden – a 134-acre reservoir right off I-75 that’s a favorite of anglers from the Cincinnati and northern-Kentucky area. Known for its sunken-cedar crappie structure and a deep species list including saugeye and three kinds of catfish, it’s an easy, productive close-to-town fishery. This guide is part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.
- Bullock Pen Lake at a glance
- Fishing Bullock Pen Lake
- How deep is Bullock Pen Lake?
- Boating, access and recreation
- Water level
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Know before you go
- Frequently asked questions
- What fish are in Bullock Pen Lake?
- Can you use a motorboat on Bullock Pen Lake?
- Where is Bullock Pen Lake?
Bullock Pen Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~134 acres on Bullock Pen Creek
- Depth: a moderate-depth creek impoundment, with deeper water near the dam and many shallow, structure-filled coves
- Elevation: in the Outer Bluegrass of northern Kentucky
- Location: on the Boone-Grant county line, near Crittenden and Verona (off I-75)
- Built: constructed 1963 by damming Bullock Pen Creek
- Top fish: white & black crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, blue/channel/flathead catfish, saugeye, redear sunfish
Fishing Bullock Pen Lake
Bullock Pen is best known for crappie – both white and black – which stack up around the lake’s many sunken cedar trees; minnows and small soft-plastic shad bodies are go-to baits. The lake also holds largemouth bass, white bass, a strong catfish mix (blue, channel and flathead), saugeye and redear sunfish. A Kentucky fishing license is required. The lake is idle-speed only, which keeps it calm and quiet – ideal for fishing from boats, kayaks and the bank.
How deep is Bullock Pen Lake?
Bullock Pen is a moderate-depth creek impoundment – precise maximum-depth figures aren’t widely published, but it follows the typical pattern of these northern-Kentucky lakes, with deeper water in the old creek channel near the dam and many shallow, brushy, cedar-filled coves that hold crappie and bass.
Boating, access and recreation
A public boat ramp on Boat Dock Road provides access, and the idle-only rule (no high-speed boating) makes Bullock Pen a peaceful fishing and paddling lake. There’s no developed swim beach, so swimming is limited; the focus is the fishery. Its location just off I-75 makes it a quick, easy trip from the Cincinnati area.
Water level
Bullock Pen is a fairly stable small reservoir, though levels can vary with rainfall. Check conditions before launching.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Bullock Pen Lake is near Crittenden and Verona on the Boone-Grant county line, northern Kentucky, just off I-75 about 35 minutes south of Cincinnati. Williamstown, Boltz Lake and the Ark Encounter are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required.
- Idle-only: no high-speed boating – quiet water for fishing and paddling.
- Crappie cedars: fish the sunken cedar structure for crappie.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Bullock Pen Lake?
White and black crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, blue/channel/flathead catfish, saugeye and redear sunfish.
Can you use a motorboat on Bullock Pen Lake?
The lake is idle-speed only – no high-speed boating – which keeps it calm and ideal for fishing and paddling.
Where is Bullock Pen Lake?
On the Boone-Grant county line near Crittenden, northern Kentucky, just off I-75 about 35 minutes south of Cincinnati.
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.