Fishtrap Lake State Park

Fishtrap Lake State Park is a state park featuring a reservoir surrounded by steep hills and thick forest in southeastern Kentucky. The water sits tucked between forested ridges that rise sharply from the shoreline.

The Army Corps of Engineers built the reservoir between 1962 and 1968 to control flooding along the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers. Creating the lake transformed how water moved through this mountain region.

The name comes from fish weirs that Native peoples built long ago, and you can sense this heritage walking through the forested land around the water.

The park is easy to reach and navigate, with clear paths from the parking areas to different sections. Spring through fall offers the best weather for walking and enjoying the water.

The reservoir sits behind one of the state's tallest dams, a feat of engineering that visitors often overlook. This massive structure holds back millions of gallons of water that would otherwise flood the valleys below.

Location: Kentucky

Inception: 2003

Website: http://parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/fishtrap-lake/default.aspx

GPS coordinates: 37.43500,-82.41940

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:02