Smoky Valley Lake Fishing near Olive Hill, Kentucky

• Overview

  Smoky Valley Lake lies in Carter County, Kentucky. The water sits 755 feet up. It runs to roughly 29 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Start from Olive Hill, 5.3 miles down the road. Grayson is 9.9 miles and Vanceburg 19 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Smoky Valley Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Records held for Carter County cover bluegill, rainbow darter, johnny darter, fantail darter and variegate darter. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Fish Smoky Valley Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 74°F, with January the cold end at about 30°F. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. That is the shape of the year on Smoky Valley Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Boat access is recorded roughly half a mile away. You can park 170 yards away and walk in from there. There is a marked fishing area 150 yards from here. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Olive Hill Reservoir at 6.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Smoky Valley Lake.