Summary
The main attraction of the park is the 1,130-acre Fishtrap Lake, which is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and swimming. There are also several hiking trails, picnic areas, and a campground for visitors to enjoy.
Some of the specific points of interest at Fishtrap Lake State Park include the Fishtrap Lake Dam, which was completed in 1968 and provides flood control and hydroelectric power to the area. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles.
One interesting fact about Fishtrap Lake is that it was created by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s as part of a flood control project. The lake was named after a nearby community that was flooded during the project.
The best time of year to visit Fishtrap Lake State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake is ideal for swimming and water sports. However, the park is open year-round and visitors can enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities during the fall and spring months as well.
Overall, Fishtrap Lake State Park is a beautiful and peaceful destination in the heart of Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains, offering a variety of recreational activities and opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the area.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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