Laurel Lake---Anybody fish it much??

[Procraft Cat]

Taking the wife out Saturday morning with me and was thinking of hitting Laurel Lake. I've lived an hour away for 2 years but have never fished it. I heard it was very clear and had a few smallies.

What would be the best ramp to launch from coming from Berea?

Anybody fish it much.

Thanks...Procraft Cat

[cbier]

There are some Smallies. Good trout and Bluegill there too.
The lake is very clear, a lot like Cumberland in characteristics.
It's tough sometimes.

[BurleyDog]

I fish Laurel quite a bit. As far as ramps, any of them will be fine.

Are you fishing for smallies only? If so I can't offer you much advise since I mostly fish for trout there and walleye.

I have caught some KY bass and largemouths in standing timber and I have caught smallies off points. I know this is very vague info but I am a novice.

If you want to catch trout though I would try the Craigs Creek area and use small inline spinners or drop shot rig.
good luck

[aceoky]

Fish it very often, a great lake (though sometimes tough to learn )


Don't forget to get a launch permit and Fill it out! To avoid a ticket.

The "easist way" (IMO - Not the closest way coming from your way) get off I-75 @ exit 25 (second Corbin exit), turn right (SOUTH) on 25w go a few miles (sorry forget how many not a great many) look for the sign to Grove marina (1193 IIRC is the road number which will be on your right) Greenland Baptist church will be on the left....... turn there, about 2-3 miles you'll see Bee Creek Market (stop in there for bait, snacks and current fishing info, great folks run it IMO) (I believe you can get a launch pass there also)

From there the very next road on the right (and it's close) takes you to Grove Marina (careful it's now a 25 MPH speed limit)

A couple miles down the road (if you don't turn toward Grove) is the right turn to Holly Bay, either will be good mostly depending on which end of the lake you wish to be starting out on (Holly bay is very close to the dam) Grove is about center of the lake (river side)

Laurel has some great smallmouth fishing (this year alone so far I have a 20" and a 20.5" (last weekend) and our 14 yr old son has a 21" ) good largemouth, KY bass also, trout, bluegill, and some really nice catfish (at least)

It is a VERY clear, deep lake (average depth is about 60') TONS of forage, so when you do catch about anything it will be very healthy and well fed......

[Bass_King2007]

I fished it wednesday and there was alot of bass mostly largemouth and ky's up trying to go on the bed didnt see any smallies on the nest.... if bass fishing i would def float a worm or a fluke... i would also try a swim bait as well.... we caught several fish and seen a bunch of giant largemouth up crusing the banks. Buy the weekend there should be alot of fish locked down on the bed!