Grayson Lake Fishing
A Kentucky lake of 1,300 acres in Carter and Elliott counties.
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Getting to know Grayson Lake before launch day
KDFWR puts Grayson Lake at 1,300 acres; the water lies in Carter and Elliott counties. Its owner, as the KDFWR layer prints it: Army Corps of Engineers. Grayson sits near 10 miles from the water.
The KDFWR access map holds 5 ramps and carry-down launches here. For shore casting there are 2 piers and bank sites. It carries 9 special-regulation lines beyond the statewide table.
Acreage as KDFWR notes it on the Grayson Lake waterbody page (KDFWR), read November 10, 2026.
KDFWR waterbody page for Grayson Lake, read November 10, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 10, 2026.
KDFWR write-up and links for Grayson Lake
KDFWR files attached to Grayson Lake
- Grayson Lake Fish Attractors in Google maps!KDFWR link
- Grayson Lake Largemouth Bass Fishing Quality AssessmentKDFWR link
KDFWR waterbody page for Grayson Lake, read November 10, 2026.
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KDFWR's regulation table and stocking lists for Grayson Lake name the species below; it is not a catch report.
KDFWR waterbody page for Grayson Lake, read November 10, 2026.
Hull-in spots around Grayson Lake
- Bruin Creek Boat Ramp on Grayson Lakeboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock; parking for 51 or more vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Caney Creek Boat Ramp on Grayson Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Clifty Creek Ramp on Grayson Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, unpaved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
- Grayson Dam Rampboat ramp, paved, multiple lanes, courtesy dock, marina; parking for 51 or more vehicles, paved lot; fee charged (amount not listed by KDFWR); open year-round, all hours
- Newfoundland Boat Ramp on Grayson Lakeboat ramp, paved, single lane; parking for 25 or fewer vehicles, paved lot; no fee; open year-round, all hours
Fishing Grayson Lake with both feet on land
- Grayson Fishing Pierfishing pier, marina; open year-round, all hours
- Grayson Lake Tailwater Bank Accessbank access; seasonal, all hours
Spare KDFWR launches if Grayson Lake is crowded
- Heritage Canoe Carrydown Carry-Down Launch on Little Sandy RiverLittle Sandy River, 7 miles southwest
- Olive Hill Carrydown Carry-Down Launch on Tygarts CreekTygarts Creek, 10 miles northwest
- Pactolus Carry-Down Launch on Little Sandy RiverLittle Sandy River, 12 miles northeast
- Carter Caves State Park Carry-Down Launch on Tygarts CreekTygarts Creek, 12 miles north
- Smoky Valley/Carter Caves Lake RampSmoky Valley/Carter Caves Lake, 13 miles northwest
Marinas and parks around Grayson Lake set their own prices; KDFWR records only whether a fee applies.
KDFWR Fishing Access Sites in Kentucky layer (ArcGIS service: lanes as single or multiple, fees as yes or no, hours as categories), read November 10, 2026.
How high Grayson Lake is sitting
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Grayson Lake Near Leon, Ky | 41.24 ft gage height | Nov 12 10:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 11:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USACE Huntington District reading at Grayson Lake for Grayson Lake, November 10, 2026 20:30 UTC.
USACE Huntington District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 10, 2026. Provisional.
Corps numbers for Grayson Lake stay provisional until the district reviews them.
How many fish can leave Grayson Lake
For Grayson Lake, the KDFWR waterbody page gives the rows shown here as written.
| Species | Rule as KDFWR prints it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12-15 inch protective slot limit. All fish between 12 and 15 inches must be released, Statewide creel limits apply | |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12-15 inch protective slot limit. All fish between 12 and 15 inches must be released, Statewide creel limits apply | |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | Statewide Regulations Apply | |
| White Bass | Statewide Regulations Apply | |
| Black Crappie | Statewide Regulations Apply | |
| Spotted Bass | Statewide Regulations Apply | |
| White Crappie | Statewide Regulations Apply |
KDFWR waterbody page for Grayson Lake, read November 10, 2026.
Guide entries naming Grayson Lake
- GRAYSON LAKEBlack Bass: includes largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky (spotted) bass – 10 fish daily limit on black bass singly or combined.
- GRAYSON LAKELargemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth and smallmouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released.
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 7-12; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Section 3 exceptions that name Grayson Lake
- Grayson Lake.Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. There shall be a slot limit between twelve (12) and fifteen (15) inches.
- Grayson Lake.Black bass aggregate daily limit, ten (10).
301 KAR 1:201 Section 3(32), last effective September 3, 2026 (Kentucky Administrative Regulations), read November 10, 2026.
Commonwealth-wide limits in force on Grayson Lake
| Species group | Daily | Possession | Minimum size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 6* | 12* | 12" |
| Smallmouth Bass | 6* | 12* | 12" |
| Kentucky (Spotted) Bass | 6* | 12* | none |
| White & Hybrid Striped Bass | 15** | 30** | none** |
| Crappie (Black & White) | 20* | 40* | none |
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026, p. 4; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Guide text on possession that covers Grayson Lake: "A possession limit is two times the daily limit for all fish species with a daily limit, excluding previously processed fish."
Anglers 16 and older need a Kentucky fishing license; the 2026 guide prints $24.31 for the resident annual license and $58.14 for nonresidents.
License prices as printed in the 2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide, p. 2 (2026 CPI-adjusted fees; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
Grayson Lake measured against area lakes
Yatesville Lake leads this group at 2,171 acres by KDFWR.
| Lake | Distance | Size | County | KDFWR launches | KDFWR rule rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson Lake | 1,300 acres | Carter County | 5 | 7 | |
| Smoky Valley/Carter Caves Lake | 13 miles northwest | 26 acres | Carter County | 1 | 1 |
| Olive Hill Reservoir | 13 miles northwest | 22 acres | Carter County | 0 | 0 |
| Yatesville Lake | 18 miles southeast | 2,171 acres | Lawrence County | 4 | 6 |
| Greenbo Lake | 21 miles northeast | 176 acres | Greenup County | 1 | 4 |
| Eagle Lake | 22 miles west | 18 acres | Rowan County | 0 | 1 |
KDFWR waterbody pages and access layer; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 10, 2026.
Handy to Grayson Lake
More lakes once Grayson Lake is fished out
- Smoky Valley/Carter Caves Lake13 miles northwest
- Olive Hill Reservoir13 miles northwest
- Yatesville Lake18 miles southeast
- Greenbo Lake21 miles northeast
- Eagle Lake22 miles west
Tackle counters worth a stop before Grayson Lake
- Grayson Lake Marinamarina, Grayson, 4 miles
- Bait and Tackle Top to Bottombait and tackle shop, Grayson, 10 miles
- T & T Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Grayson, 12 miles
- Yatesville Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Louisa, 20 miles
- Wild Cat Pay Lakebait and tackle shop, Flatgap, 20 miles
- TNT Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ashland, 20 miles
Overnight options for anglers headed to Grayson Lake
- Grayson10 miles
- Olive Hill11 miles
- Morehead23 miles
County write-ups that mention Grayson Lake
- Carter Countyseat: Grayson
- Elliott Countyseat: Sandy Hook
Piscifun reels and line worth loading before Grayson Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Limestone banks and lake coves by Grayson Lake through a camera
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: hspauldi, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
Getting Grayson Lake figured out first
Which county lines does Grayson Lake touch?
Head for Carter and Elliott counties; the closest Census town, Grayson, is about 10 miles away.
How many acres of water does KDFWR credit to Grayson Lake?
KDFWR gives 1,300 acres.
Does the KDFWR layer show a ramp at Grayson Lake?
Use Bruin Creek Boat Ramp on Grayson Lake; KDFWR lists 5 ramps and carry-down launches.
Which fish does the KDFWR table name for Grayson Lake?
KDFWR names largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, black crappie, spotted bass and white crappie; that is a rule list, not a survey.
How many largemouth may I keep at Grayson Lake?
There are 9 special-regulation lines; they replace statewide figures where they speak.
Do I need a Kentucky license to fish Grayson Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need a Kentucky fishing license; the 2026 guide prints $24.31 for the resident annual license and $58.14 for nonresidents.
Which KDFWR bank sites line Grayson Lake?
The layer holds 2 piers and bank sites, Grayson Fishing Pier among them.
Is there a marina or bait counter near Grayson Lake?
Grayson Lake Marina, about 4 miles away tops our Kentucky list.
Where does this page post the pool reading for Grayson Lake?
The dated value from USGS is in the band above.
Hitch the bass boat for Grayson Lake
Prices, the statewide table and special waters are on the license page.