Carr Creek Lake is a small mountain reservoir in the southeastern Kentucky coalfields near Hazard, best known for the surprisingly large sand beach at its state park – one of the biggest in the Kentucky state-park system. At about 750 acres it’s a compact, scenic Appalachian lake good for swimming, fishing and a quiet getaway in the heart of the mountains.
This guide covers Carr Creek Lake: the fishing, the state park and beach, and the setting. It’s part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.
Carr Creek Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~750 acres in the southeastern Kentucky mountains
- Location: Knott County, southeastern Kentucky (near Hazard)
- Built: Carr Fork Dam on Carr Fork of the Kentucky River, completed 1976 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
- Top fish: crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill, catfish
Fishing Carr Creek Lake
The little mountain lake holds crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill and catfish. A Kentucky fishing license is required. The steep, rocky banks and creek arms fish well, and the lake’s small size makes it easy to learn.
Carr Creek State Park and the beach
Carr Creek State Park is built around one of the largest sand beaches in the Kentucky state-park system – a real draw in the mountains – plus a campground, a marina, a boat ramp and picnic areas. It’s a popular summer swimming and boating spot for the surrounding communities and a peaceful base for exploring the eastern Kentucky highlands.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Carr Creek Lake is near Hazard in southeastern Kentucky, about 2.5 hours southeast of Lexington off the Hal Rogers Parkway. The mountain communities of Knott and Perry counties and the Appalachian highlands surround it.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required.
- The beach: the state-park sand beach is the highlight in summer.
- Best seasons: summer for swimming and the beach, spring and fall for crappie, bass and walleye.
Frequently asked questions
Does Carr Creek Lake have a beach?
Yes – Carr Creek State Park has one of the largest sand beaches in the Kentucky state-park system.
What fish are in Carr Creek Lake?
Crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill and catfish.
Where is Carr Creek Lake?
In southeastern Kentucky near Hazard, about 2.5 hours southeast of Lexington.
Related: explore more of 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.