Greenbo Lake is a small but beloved 225-acre lake in the far northeastern corner of Kentucky, the centerpiece of Greenbo Lake State Resort Park and a managed trophy largemouth bass fishery. Wrapped in the forested hills of Greenup County and tied to the legacy of Kentucky author Jesse Stuart, it’s a peaceful resort-park lake made for fishing, hiking and an unhurried weekend.
This guide covers Greenbo Lake: the trophy bass fishing, the state resort park, and the hiking and history. It’s part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.
Greenbo Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~225 acres
- Location: Greenup County, northeastern Kentucky (near Greenup & Ashland)
- State park: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park (Jesse Stuart Lodge)
- Top fish: trophy largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, stocked rainbow trout
Fishing Greenbo Lake
Greenbo is managed as a trophy bass lake, with special length limits designed to grow big largemouth – so check the regulations before you keep a bass. Beyond the bass, the lake holds bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and seasonally stocked rainbow trout. A Kentucky fishing license is required. The quiet water and protective regulations make it a rewarding lake for serious and casual anglers alike.
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park centers on the Jesse Stuart Lodge – named for the Kentucky poet laureate, who lived nearby in W-Hollow – with cottages, a campground, a marina, a swimming pool, a beach and a network of hiking trails including the long Michael Tygart and Fern Valley loops. The historic Buffalo Furnace, a 19th-century iron furnace, sits within the park. It’s a complete, quiet getaway in a beautiful corner of the state.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Greenbo Lake is about 30 minutes north of Ashland and 2 hours east of Lexington, near Greenup in far northeastern Kentucky. Carter Caves and Grayson Lake are a short drive west.
Know before you go
- Fishing license & bass limits: a Kentucky license is required, and special trophy-bass length limits apply – check before keeping a bass.
- Resort park: reserve the lodge, cottages or campground ahead in summer.
- Best seasons: spring and fall for trophy bass, summer for the resort and hiking, with stocked trout in the cooler months.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenbo Lake a trophy bass lake?
Yes – it’s managed with special length limits to grow large largemouth bass, so check the regulations before keeping a bass.
What fish are in Greenbo Lake?
Trophy largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and seasonally stocked rainbow trout.
Where can you stay at Greenbo Lake?
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, with the Jesse Stuart Lodge, cottages and a campground.
Where is Greenbo Lake?
In Greenup County, far northeastern Kentucky, about 30 minutes north of Ashland.
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.