Shanty Hollow Lake is a scenic 135-acre fishing lake in the wooded hills north of Bowling Green – a quiet, cover-rich reservoir in Warren County known for largemouth and spotted bass, bluegill and crappie. Surrounded by a wildlife management area near the edge of Mammoth Cave country, it’s a peaceful, no-frills spot popular with bank anglers and small-boat fishermen. This guide is part of our growing Kentucky Lakes Database.
Shanty Hollow Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~135 acres (mostly in Warren County, extending into Edmonson County)
- Depth: average ~12 ft, maximum ~28 ft
- Elevation: in the Pennyroyal/cave country of south-central Kentucky
- Location: Warren County, about 17 miles north of Bowling Green
- Built: constructed 1949, opened for fishing in 1951
- Top fish: largemouth & spotted bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black & white crappie, channel catfish
How deep is Shanty Hollow Lake?
Shanty Hollow averages about 12 feet deep and reaches roughly 28 feet at its deepest across 135 acres. The shallow, fertile, cover-rich water – with standing timber and brush – makes excellent bass-and-panfish habitat.
Fishing Shanty Hollow Lake
The lake is most popular for largemouth bass, bluegill and spotted bass, and also holds redear sunfish, black and white crappie, warmouth and channel catfish. A Kentucky fishing license is required, and note the special regulation: live shad as bait is prohibited. Anglers work the timber, brush and coves for bass and panfish; the quiet water is great for kayaks, canoes and small boats.
Boating, access and the WMA
A boat ramp provides access, and the surrounding Shanty Hollow Wildlife Management Area offers hiking, hunting and wildlife watching, plus a small waterfall on the feeder creek that’s a local favorite. It’s a low-key, fishing-and-nature lake; there’s no developed swim beach, so swimming is limited. The wooded setting and proximity to Mammoth Cave make it a pleasant outdoors stop.
Water level
Shanty Hollow is a fairly stable small reservoir, though levels can vary with rainfall. Check conditions before launching.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Shanty Hollow Lake is about 17 miles north of Bowling Green in Warren County, south-central Kentucky. Mammoth Cave National Park and the Barren River area are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Kentucky license is required; live shad as bait is prohibited.
- Quiet lake: great for bank fishing, kayaks and small boats.
- Best seasons: spring and fall for bass and crappie; summer for bluegill.
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Shanty Hollow Lake?
It averages about 12 feet and reaches roughly 28 feet at its deepest, across about 135 acres.
What fish are in Shanty Hollow Lake?
Largemouth and spotted bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, warmouth and channel catfish.
Where is Shanty Hollow Lake?
In Warren County, south-central Kentucky, about 17 miles north of Bowling Green.
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.