Kentucky is a paradise for outdoor adventure and lake beauty. While Mammoth Cave National Park and other heavy-hitting attractions might draw in droves of visitors, many of the Bluegrass State’s lakes are hidden gems. One destination that pulls in less traffic is Fishtrap Lake State Park, a peaceful retreat overlooking a 1,131-acre reservoir in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains in Pike County.
Stretching like a snake between mountains covered in dense hardwoods, Fishtrap Lake is 16.5 miles long and the centerpiece of the park. It boasts the tallest dam in Kentucky, a 195-foot behemoth built in 1962 to control flooding along the Levisa Fork and the wider Big Sandy River system. Nowadays, the lake is a hotspot for fishing and boating, but the park’s name is traditionally linked with fishing traps once made by Indigenous communities. From Pikeville, a regional hub with a population of around 7,000, it’s a little over 25 miles to the park, while the nearest major airports are around 200 miles away in Louisville and Hebron, Kentucky.
Although people have come to the water for countless generations, the state park was officially established in 2003. However, much of the area around the lake is managed by either the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This means park visitors can take advantage of facilities like campgrounds, boat launches, and picnic areas spread throughout the entire Fishtrap Lake Wildlife Management Area.
Things to do on the water at Fishtrap Lake State Park
To truly enjoy yourself at Fishtrap Lake State Park, you have to get out on the water. The marina rents out fishing boats and pontoons, but you can also set out on your own craft from one of its boat launches. The marina also has a concession stand for last-minute snack and bait purchases. During the summer, boaters can expect waters of up to 84 feet deep by the dam’s intake structure, but you’ll want to avoid springtime. After heavy rain, the lake collects so much trash and debris that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has to employ a “trash hunter” to clean up.
When the trash is gone, visitors head to the lake for some of the best fishing in the state. “This place is very secluded, and you can enjoy a fishing day without a bunch of pressure,” one angler shared on Google Maps. In particular, it’s a productive fishery for bluegill, hybrid striped bass, white crappie, and channel catfish, as well as largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass. Check the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for the annual fishing forecast and largemouth bass assessment before planning your trip.
The park allows swimming, but only in designated zones. In addition, there are no lifeguards on duty, so it’s a good idea to dress kids in one of the swimsuit colors considered safest to wear. However, from the shore you can admire the steep mountainsides covered in trees.
Spot wildlife and birds at Fishtrap Lake State Park
The state park is a great spot for wildlife spotting and birding due in part to its location right up against over 13,000 acres of wildlife management area. In fact, over 96% of the area is forested, giving critters lots of places to thrive unbothered by people. The state park boasts a healthy population of deer and raccoons that you might meet during your visit. Remember to always stay on trails (where provided) to preserve the habitat and prevent disturbing animals at rest.
Although Fishtrap Lake might not be as famous as the best birdwatching destinations in the U.S., the state park is home to over 100 bird species. The Pikeville-Pike County Welcome Center identifies waterfowl, woodland birds, and raptors as the main residents, but paints a particularly vivid picture of birding opportunities in the wetland zones. “Great Blue Herons may be found stalking shallow water. Belted kingfishers announce themselves with rattling calls as they patrol streams and lakes. Wood Ducks favor wooded waterways, and migrating ducks can appear on open water as seasons change,” as per Tour Pike County.
If Fishtrap Lake State Park floats your boat, maybe it’s time to start planning a multi-lake trip in the Bluegrass State. Check out Kentucky’s five cleanest lakes for swimming, and don’t forget your binoculars.
