Biggest lakes in Kentucky: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Kentucky Lake

Kentucky Lake covers 160,000 acres. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and smallmouth bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 75 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work.

Kentucky Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Cumberland

At 65,500 acres, Lake Cumberland is a huge piece of water. It holds striped bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and crappie. The deepest water is around 197 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Lake Cumberland today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Barkley

At 57,900 acres of water, Lake Barkley is a huge piece of water. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass are the draw. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Barkley today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Crawford Lake

At about 16,900 acres, Crawford Lake is a big lake. It lies right by Elizabethtown. The usual Kentucky mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start.

Crawford Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Barren River Lake

Barren River Lake is a reservoir of 10,100 acres. You will find it about 6.5 miles northeast of Glasgow. It is the Barren behind Barren River Lake Dam. The usual Kentucky mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. Barren River Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir in south-central Kentucky.

Barren River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Cave Run Lake

Cave Run Lake is a reservoir of some 8,270 acres. You will find it near Morehead. It is the Licking behind Cave Run Lake Dam. Crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and muskie are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Cave Run Lake is widely considered one of Kentucky's top destinations for muskie fishing.

Cave Run Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Green River Lake

Green River Lake covers 8,210 acres of water. You will find it near Campbellsville. It is the Green behind Green River Lake Dam. Like most lakes its size in Kentucky, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Green River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Nolin Lake

Nolin Lake is a reservoir of 5,800 acres. The lake is about 23 miles southwest of Bowling Green. It is the Nolin behind Nolin River Dam. The usual Kentucky mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Nolin Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir in central Kentucky whose surface area grows substantially from winter to summer pool.

Nolin Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Laurel River Lake

Laurel River Lake covers 5,600 acres of water. The lake is about 1.6 miles east of North Corbin. The usual Kentucky mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. It goes down to about 280 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Laurel River Lake is one of the deepest reservoirs in Kentucky, with depths reaching about 280 feet.

Laurel River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Rough River Lake

Rough River Lake covers 5,100 acres. It lies near Leitchfield. It is the Rough behind Rough River Dam. The fish here are largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 65 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Rough River Lake is a Corps of Engineers reservoir in central Kentucky that is stocked with rainbow trout below the dam.

Rough River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.