Fishing Buckhorn Lake in Leslie County, Kentucky

• Overview

  Kentucky holds Buckhorn Lake, in Leslie County. It stands 810 feet above sea level. At 1,157 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. For a base, Hazard sits 12 miles out. Then Jackson, 19 miles, and Manchester, 21 miles. Others worth noting: Panbowl Branch after 20 miles, Carr Fork Lake (23 miles), Beulah Lake after 28 miles, Campton Lake (33 miles) and Cannon Lake after 35 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Buckhorn Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Survey and observation records for Leslie County include rainbow darter, fantail darter and emerald darter. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Anyone new to Buckhorn Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 74°F for July and 33°F for January. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. It sets the rhythm of the year at Buckhorn Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Panbowl Branch is 20 miles distant. Confirm access to Buckhorn Lake locally before you travel.