The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Cave Run Lake
Rowan County, Kentucky · 8,270 acres (12.9 sq mi)
58°F water, level 729 ft, calm tomorrow morning.
About Cave Run Lake
Cave Run Lake spreads over 8,270 acres in Rowan County, Kentucky. Cave Run Lake Dam holds it back on the Licking. Cave Run Lake is widely considered one of Kentucky's top destinations for muskie fishing.
It stretches about 9.5 miles end to end with roughly 79 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 720 ft above sea level. Morehead lies about 5.9 miles to the north. The closest city is Meads, about 45 miles away.
- Size
- 8,270 acres (12.9 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 79 miles
- End to end
- About 9.5 miles
- Elevation
- About 720 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Cave Run Lake Dam, Licking
- County
- Rowan County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Fair
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 2 mph
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Cave Run Lake
Anglers come to Cave Run Lake for crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and muskie. With the surface at 58°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- FairSmallmouth bass
Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.
- GoodMuskie
Active range. Weed beds and rocky points.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
7-day trend: not enough daily readings yet.
Latest reading .
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:12 am · sunset 5:23 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Cave Run Lake
- Moreheadabout 5.9 mi north
- Frenchburgabout 6.9 mi southwest
- West Libertyabout 11 mi southeast
- Owingsvilleabout 11 mi northwest
- Meadsnearest city, about 45 mi northeast
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Questions about Cave Run Lake
What fish are in Cave Run Lake?
Cave Run Lake holds crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and muskie. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Cave Run Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Cave Run Lake?
8,270 acres, with about 79 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Cave Run Lake?
Morehead is about 5.9 miles north; Frenchburg is about 6.9 miles southwest.
What is the water temperature at Cave Run Lake today?
The surface was about 58°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Cave Run Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
