Doe Run Lake is a scenic little park lake in the hills of Kenton County, northern Kentucky – a roughly 49-acre lake near Independence that’s the centerpiece of a 183-acre county park laced with hiking trails. A quiet bass-and-bluegill water just minutes from the Cincinnati area, it’s a favorite for bank anglers, hikers and picnickers looking for an easy nature escape. This guide is part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.
Doe Run Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~49 acres, within a 183-acre county park
- Depth: a small, wooded valley lake (a typical small-impoundment depth profile)
- Elevation: in the Outer Bluegrass of northern Kentucky
- Location: Kenton County, near Independence (north of the lake via KY-17)
- Top fish: largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill
Fishing Doe Run Lake
Doe Run is most popular for largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill. A Kentucky fishing license is required, and special regulations apply: largemouth bass have a 15-inch minimum size limit with a daily limit of six. The quiet, wooded lake is well suited to bank fishing, kayaks and small boats; work the shoreline cover and points for bass and bluegill. It’s a great spot to introduce kids to fishing close to town.
The park, trails and recreation
Doe Run Lake sits in a 183-acre Kenton County park, surrounded by hiking trails and secluded picnic areas – a peaceful greenspace in the rolling country south of Covington. A boat ramp serves the lake (small craft and electric motors suit it best), and the trails make it a destination for hikers and nature lovers as much as anglers. There’s no developed swim beach, so swimming is limited.
Water level
Doe Run is a stable small park lake, though levels can vary with rainfall. Check conditions before launching.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Doe Run Lake is near Independence in Kenton County, northern Kentucky, off KY-17 (and Bullock Pen Road), about 25 minutes south of Covington and Cincinnati. The northern-Kentucky suburbs and the Cincinnati metro are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required; 15-inch minimum on bass.
- Park & trails: a 183-acre county park with hiking trails surrounds the lake.
- Best seasons: spring and fall for bass; summer for bluegill and catfish.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Doe Run Lake?
Largemouth bass (15-inch minimum), channel catfish and bluegill.
Is there a park at Doe Run Lake?
Yes – the lake is the centerpiece of a 183-acre Kenton County park with hiking trails, picnic areas and a boat ramp.
Where is Doe Run Lake?
In Kenton County, northern Kentucky, near Independence off KY-17, about 25 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.