Elkhorn Lake near Jenkins: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Letcher County, Kentucky, sits Elkhorn Lake. Around the bank it is open valley. This is a pocket water of some 15 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is high ground by Kentucky standards. Head to Jenkins, 0.6 miles away, for anything you forgot. The big place round here is Meads, 86 miles distant. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Elkhorn Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Fish documented in Letcher County include central stoneroller. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Work Elkhorn Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 72°F and January near 33°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It sets the rhythm of the year at Elkhorn Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. North Fork of Pound Lake at 3.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Elkhorn Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.