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Kentucky Lake

Grand Rivers · Calvert City, Kentucky — Marshall County.

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118,167Surface acres (whole lake)
46Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID {5CA26D8D-F489-4210-8136-3A59B7CCFDF1}); shared with Tennessee, acreage is the whole lake.

Location & fast facts

Where Kentucky Lake is in Kentucky

The red circle marks Kentucky Lake.

Fast facts

About Kentucky Lake

  • Counties: Marshall, Calloway, Trigg, Lyon
  • Cities & towns on the shore: Grand Rivers, Calvert City
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Shared with: Tennessee. The surface acreage shown is the whole lake; about 41% of the mapped water is in Kentucky.
  • Distance: about 52 mi from Paducah and 94 mi from Bowling Green, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (Kentucky: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).

Fishing in Kentucky

Official KDFWR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 46 public trailer launches listed (see access)
  • Fishing. Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Striped bass and White bass
  • Camping. 24 campgrounds within 15 mi, 6 on the shore (list)

Watch for

  • Non-native/invasive species. Zebra mussel, Eurasian watermilfoil and Whorled hydrilla recorded. Clean, drain and dry your boat and gear.
  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Official fishing data (Kentucky Fish and Wildlife)

Fish species listed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife for this lake: Black crappie, Blue catfish, Bluegill, Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Redear sunfish, Sauger, Smallmouth bass, Spotted bass, Striped bass, White bass, White crappie, Yellow bass.

Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Where to Fish page for Kentucky Lake (species from the KDFWR waterbody species search), with access sites, regulations and fishing forecasts.

Lake map

Kentucky Lake shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Hillman Ferry Campground at Land Between The Lakes (campground)Piney Campground (campground)Birmangham Ferry Backcountry Area & Boat Ramp at Land Between The Lakes (campground)Fenton Campground & Boat Ramp at Land Between The Lakes (campground)Paris Landing State Park Campground (campground)Tiny Cabins/ RV Memorial Camp (campground)Paris Landing / Kentucky Lake KOA (campground)Kentucky Lake Resort and RV Park (campground)Taft Creek Campground (campground)Canal Campground (campground)Nickell Branch Basic Campground (campground)Boat Ramp (Boat launch)1Boat Ramp (Boat launch)2Boat ramp (Boat launch)3Boat ramp (Boat launch)4Boat ramp (Boat launch)5Boat ramp (Boat launch)6Boat ramp (Boat launch)7Boat ramp (Boat launch)8Boat ramp (Boat launch)9Boat ramp (Boat launch)10Boat ramp (Boat launch)11Boat ramp (Boat launch)12Boat ramp (Boat launch)13Boat ramp (Boat launch)14Boat ramp (Boat launch)15Boat ramp (Boat launch)16Boat ramp (Boat launch)17Boat ramp (Boat launch)18Boat ramp (Boat launch)19Boat ramp (Boat launch)20Boat ramp (Boat launch)21Boat ramp (Boat launch)22Boat ramp (Boat launch)23Boat ramp (Boat launch)24Boat ramp (Boat launch)25Boat ramp (Boat launch)26Boat ramp (Boat launch)27Boat ramp (Boat launch)28Boat ramp (Boat launch)29Boat ramp (Boat launch)30Boat ramp (Boat launch)31Boat ramp (Boat launch)32Boat ramp (Boat launch)33Boat ramp (Boat launch)34Boat ramp (Boat launch)35Boat ramp (Boat launch)36Boat ramp (Boat launch)37Boat ramp (Boat launch)38Boat ramp (Boat launch)39Boat ramp (Boat launch)40Boat ramp (Boat launch)41Boat ramp (Boat launch)42Boat ramp (Boat launch)43Boat ramp (Boat launch)44Boat ramp (Boat launch)45Smith Bay Backcountry Area & Boat Ramp at Land Between The Lakes (Boat launch)461 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launch Campground
  1. 1Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  2. 2Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  3. 3Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  4. 4Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  5. 5Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  6. 6Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  7. 7Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  8. 8Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  9. 9Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  10. 10Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  11. 11Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  12. 12Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  13. 13Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  14. 14Boat ramp
    Boat launch · Grand Rivers
  15. 15Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  16. 16Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  17. 17Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  18. 18Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  19. 19Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  20. 20Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  21. 21Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  22. 22Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  23. 23Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  24. 24Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  25. 25Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  26. 26Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  27. 27Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  28. 28Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  29. 29Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  30. 30Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  31. 31Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  32. 32Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  33. 33Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  34. 34Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  35. 35Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  36. 36Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  37. 37Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  38. 38Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  39. 39Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  40. 40Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  41. 41Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  42. 42Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  43. 43Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  44. 44Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  45. 45Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  46. 46Smith Bay Backcountry Area & Boat Ramp at Land Between The Lakes
    Boat launch

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID {5CA26D8D-F489-4210-8136-3A59B7CCFDF1}), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Kentucky Lake

We found 24 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Kentucky Lake, 17 of them within 5 miles. 6 are right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

14 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in Kentucky

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Nearest airports

The closest airport with scheduled passenger flights to Kentucky Lake, plus larger airports within about 150 miles:

Compare car rentals near this lake

Car rental links go to our partner Discover Cars; LakeRipple may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Airports with scheduled airline service from OurAirports (large and medium airports); larger airports are FAA large, medium and small hubs by FAA CY2025 enplanements ("major airport" = FAA large hub). Distances are straight-line from the lake's center, not driving distance; road routes are longer.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (36.4747, -88.0585). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Kentucky Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Kentucky Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    46 public access sites listed, 46 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.6257, -88.0381
    Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.5196, -88.0240
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9474, -88.1888
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.6459, -88.0876
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.6437, -88.1298
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.6435, -88.1346
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.5963, -88.1187
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.6064, -88.1317
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.6071, -88.1398
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.6116, -88.1351
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3469, -88.1224
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.7612, -88.1339
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.4910, -88.0327
    Boat rampGrand Rivers—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating37.0007, -88.2411
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.7737, -88.1087
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3869, -88.0017
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3700, -87.9854
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.4973, -88.0873
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3932, -88.1001
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.4345, -88.0767
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.4160, -88.1098
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3236, -88.1224
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.7278, -88.1133
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.7171, -88.1072
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.6903, -88.0952
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.2737, -88.1095
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3643, -88.1204
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.2946, -88.0783
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3763, -87.9645
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9642, -88.2836
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.1596, -87.9403
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.8038, -88.1837
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.8041, -88.1898
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.7820, -88.2193
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9404, -88.1743
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9601, -88.1987
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9178, -88.2178
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.4818, -88.0405
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9216, -88.2140
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9352, -88.2230
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9434, -88.2525
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9091, -88.2211
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9899, -88.2878
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9998, -88.2838
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9188, -88.2178
    Smith Bay Backcountry Area & Boat Ramp at Land Between The Lakes——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.9089, -88.1482

    OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Non-native/invasive species

    Reported on or near Kentucky Lake

    Clean, Drain, Dry. Remove plants and mud, drain all water, and dry your boat, trailer and gear before moving to another water.

    USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database

    USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Kentucky Lake

    How big is Kentucky Lake?

    Kentucky Lake covers about 118,167 acres in Grand Rivers and Calvert City, Kentucky (Marshall County).

    What fish are in Kentucky Lake?

    KDFWR Where to Fish lists Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Striped bass, White bass, Sauger, Black crappie, White crappie, Bluegill, Channel catfish and Blue catfish and 3 more.

    Is there a public boat launch on Kentucky Lake?

    Yes. 46 public trailer launches are listed: Boat ramp, Boat ramp and Boat ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Are there campgrounds near Kentucky Lake?

    Yes. We list 24 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 17 of them within 5 miles.

    What towns are on Kentucky Lake?

    Kentucky Lake touches Grand Rivers and Calvert City in Marshall County, Calloway County, Trigg County and Lyon County, Kentucky.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Kentucky Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Kentucky lakes & ponds · All waters in Grand Rivers