For more information about the lake contact Mark R. Holbrook at 606-437-7496

Fishtrap Lake is contained by the highest dam in Eastern Kentucky. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed the project after the people of Levisa Fork valley expressed the need for flood control. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you and your family to this vital flood control and recreation development project. Come and enjoy the natural scenic beauty of southeastern Kentucky countryside and the recreational facilities at Fishtrap Lake!

The lake is located entirely in Pike County on the Levisa Fork of theBig Sandy River near the states of Virginia and West Virginia. Fishtrap Lake's primary purpose is reduction of flood damages along Levisa Fork, Big Sandy River and the Ohio River, with minimal reductions on the Mississippi. At its maximum (flood storage) level, the lake would contain more than 54 billion gallons of water. During the summer recreation season, the lake is 16.5 miles long, has a surface area of 1,131 acres and contains about 12 billion gallons of water. It is 84 feet deep at the intake structure during summer pool. Part of this water is released all year for municipal water supply at Pikeville, 15 miles downstream from the dam. After extensive field studies and cost estimates were made, Congress appropriated funds. Construction began in February 1962. President Lyndon B. Johnson dedicated the project on October 26, 1968. The dam, built of native rock with a clay waterproof core, is 195 feet high and 1,000 feet long. The job required moving five million cubic yards of rock and earth. An outstanding job or rock treatment called a 'stairstep' excavation at the left end of the dam exposes the 330,000,000 year old Pennsylvania Period strata. Release of water from the lake is controlled by gates in the tower-like 'intake structure' located at the left end of the dam. From that structure, the water flows through a 15-½ foot diameter tunnel and discharges back into the Levisa Fork below the dam. If the lake should rise above its maximum permissible level during storage of potential floodwaters, then the four 'tainter' gates located in the spillways would be used to control additional releases. It is the policy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide a safe, healthy family recreational environment. All recreational areas are closed from 10:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. except for persons engaged in boating, fishing and camping. For the self motivated person, Fishtrap Lake offers many volunteer activities including, campground host, lake clean ups, tree and flower planting, wildlife enhancement programs such as, bird house building and placement, food plot planting, and fish attractor programs, just to name a few. For more information please contact the Volunteer Program Coordinator at the project office. Restrooms are located at the Project Office, Marina parking lot, Outflow/Below Dam Area, Lower Picnic Area, Grapevine Recreation Area, Grapevine Campground, and Lick Creek Recreation Area.

Fishtrap Lake has one campground located at the Grapevine Recreation Area. Grapevine Campground has 28 sites, now with 10 sites equipped with water and electrical hookups. Each site has, impacted gravel pads, picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole. Campground opens Memorial Day Weekend, (Friday of the holiday weekend) and closes the day after Labor Day. No reservations are accepted but to check availability of sites call 1-606-835-4564 to speak with the campground host. Campsites are currently on a first come first serve basis. Camping fees for the 2006 season are $8.00 for primitive and $12.00 for water and electric sites per night per site. Holders of Golden Age/Access Passports are entitled to a 50 % discount. Camping on the shoreline or in the Wildlife Management Area is not permitted except in designated areas.

Fish and wildlife management is a shared responsibility –the Department of Natural Resources and the Corps manage the fish and wildlife programs by habitat improvement, nesting site development, and food-plot programs for the benefit of many fish and wildlife species.