In 1983 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impounded this reservoir from Paint Creek. Although the Corps still remains an owner, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages the hunting, fishing, boating, and other recreational activities in and around the lake. The lake is surrounded by the Paintsville Lake State Park, which was created three years after the lake was created.

The lake and park offer activities such as boating, fishing, water skiing, camping, hiking, and horseback riding.

Fishing

Anglers, you have a choice -- you can fish from pontoon boats, paddleboats, houseboats, fishing boats, and from the shore for a wide variety of game fishing species. Look for largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, channel catfish, sunfish, perch, walleye, and redbreast sunfish. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources stocks rainbow trout in Paint Creek below the dam monthly from April through November, and annually stocks the lake with rainbow trout.

   Search Paintsville Lake Resources
     Coordinates:
37.8398N -82.8710W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
1139 acres
Maximum Depth:
100 ft
Elevation:
715 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
3 ft
Major City:
Lexington
Airport:
Lexington

You'll find a full-service marina near the campground, offering rental houseboats, pontoons and fishing boats. Review the Lake Resource Guide for more boating resources.

Boating In Kentucky

Boat License - Boat Certificate

Boat Courses

Boat Registration

Boat Equipment Requirements

Boat Insurance Kentucky

• Kentucky Fishing Licenses
• Kentucky 2012 Statewide Limits and Regulations
• Kentucky Fish Consumption Advisories
• Paintsville Lake State Park
• Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife
• Paintsville Lake State Park