Rough River Fishing Spot

• Website: www.kdfwr.state
• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/09/09 03:50 PM
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State stocks with trout once a month.


The lake is situated in Breckinridge, Hardin, and Grayson counties in south central Kentucky. The dam is located on the Rough River near the community of Falls of Rough, about 20 miles from Leitchfield and 95 miles southwest of Louisville. The 5,100-acre Rough River Lake provides a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. The Corps, in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, manages Rough River Lake’s land and water for wildlife, fisheries and recreation. The rolling, forested, hills of rural South Central Kentucky offer an extraordinary setting for those who visit Rough River Lake. This lake plays host to more than 2 million visitors per year. The Corps of Engineers operates four campgrounds at Rough River Lake. These campgrounds offer a variety of sites to choose from, including lakefront, primitive, developed (water and electricity). In addition, Rough River Lake State Resort Park provides lodging, nine-hole golf course, restaurant, tennis courts, horseback riding, hiking trails, recreational programs, swimming pool, campground and an airport. Rough River Lake contains many species of fish, but the most sought after are Bass, Crappie, and Catfish. Bass fishermen tend to use the "catch and release" method of fishing, looking for trophy fish. Bass tournaments occur throughout the year. The Hybrid Striped Bass has been stocked annually since 1996 and many are exceeding the 16-inch size limit. One fish was caught early in 2000 weighing 11 pounds. Crappie are highly sought after and provide not only great recreation but also great eating. Rough River Lake offers numerous opportunities for recreational boating. The Corps of Engineers operates boat ramps in four areas on the lake (Axtel, North Fork, Cave Creek and Laurel Branch). The Kentucky Department of Parks also operates one ramp which is located at Rough River Lake State Park. A daily use fee of $3 is charged at Corps of Engineers operated boat ramps, or visitors can purchase an annual pass.Three marinas on the lake, Nick’s Boat Dock, M & D Marina, and Rough River State Resort Park Marina offer pontoon and johnboat rentals. M & D Marina also offers jet ski rental. Boat slip rentals are available at all three marinas.

The Rough River is a tributary of the Green River, 136 mi (219 km) long [1], in west-central Kentucky in the United States. Via the Green and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River [2]. According to the Geographic Names Information System, it has also been known historically as "Rough Creek" [3].