Lake for kayaking and swimming?

I know I didn't say fishing, but you guys will know the waters better than anyone around here. I would like to go out with my wife more often on the kayaks, but she usually gets hot and wants to get out and swim. Most places we go, the water isn't very clean, or the banks are extremely muddy/steep (ky river, slow parts of elkhorn etc).

What are some lakes within 1hr of Lexington that would have a good paddle, and a decent place to get out and rest/swim for a bit. Would be nice to paddle/fish for an hour, stop for lunch/dip, then paddle back. Bonus points if the fishing is decent, bonus points if the scenery is worth it.

It might be pushing your one hour requirement, but Taylorsville Lake would be a good option. If you and your wife also likes to camp, the Taylorsville Lake State Park has a great camping area. I've taken my wife and daughter there several times to swim/hike/fish/camp and have a great experience each outing. Hope this helps.

thanks for the suggestion. I have actually been to Taylorsville Lake, but it was the middle of the winter and the water level was low, so I don't know what the shores look like in the middle of the summer. There were plenty of places to stop in the winter. do you have to pay to use the boat ramp in the campground, or can anyone use it? We aren't campers, so we would just make a day trip out there.

[QUOTE=robertdilbert;557044]thanks for the suggestion. I have actually been to Taylorsville Lake, but it was the middle of the winter and the water level was low, so I don't know what the shores look like in the middle of the summer. There were plenty of places to stop in the winter. do you have to pay to use the boat ramp in the campground, or can anyone use it? We aren't campers, so we would just make a day trip out there.[/QUOTE]

All ramps are free to use on Taylorsville. If you were there in Winter, you've got a pretty good idea of what the shoreline looks like, as the lake is only drawn down about 2ft.

Water traffic is pretty heavy through most of the Summer, but once schools start back up you should see much less traffic during the week. Weekend traffic probably won't decline much until it gets a bit "frosty" !!

sounds good, thanks for the info. TWISE7 any particular swimming spots you recall going to?

We always took my bass boat so we'd find a little cove somewhere off the beaten path and anchor near the shore and swim.

[QUOTE=robertdilbert;557039]I know I didn't say fishing, but you guys will know the waters better than anyone around here. I would like to go out with my wife more often on the kayaks, but she usually gets hot and wants to get out and swim. Most places we go, the water isn't very clean, or the banks are extremely muddy/steep (ky river, slow parts of elkhorn etc).

What are some lakes within 1hr of Lexington that would have a good paddle, and a decent place to get out and rest/swim for a bit. Would be nice to paddle/fish for an hour, stop for lunch/dip, then paddle back. Bonus points if the fishing is decent, bonus points if the scenery is worth it.[/QUOTE]

Lake Linnvile in Mt Vernon or do a google search in Berea for a small lake there. Its a drive back in the country but well worth it in a yak.

[QUOTE=David James;557149]google search in Berea for a small lake there. Its a drive back in the country but well worth it in a yak.[/QUOTE]

Owsley fork?