Kentucky Lake is the largest lake in the Tennessee River system and the last before the river flows into the Ohio River at Paducah, Kentucky. Spanning the western portion of Tennessee and southwest Kentucky, the lake is 184 miles long, has 2,380 miles of shoreline, and 160,300 surface acres of water at summer water levels. It collects rainfall from a 40,200-square-mile watershed. It all adds up to a huge opportunity for watercraft recreation from speed boats and jet skis to houseboat vacations and fishing.

Three major parks border Kentucky Lake and make excellet recreation destinations. Land Between the Lakes, a National Recreation Area administered by the Tennessee Valley Authority, is located on the lower end of Kentucky Lake. Kenlake State Resort Park is on the western shore, Kentucky Dam State Resort Park is on the northern shore and one of the most popular parks in the state.

Because the lake is located along a major waterfowl migration route, it supports a wintering population of more than 450,000 waterfowl, substantially more than any other TVA lake. Kentucky Lake offers excellent fishing for crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and sauger.

Helpful Links

Basic Directions