Paintsville Lake WMA

WMA Overview

hunting fishing hiking trails boat launch horeseback trails

Size: 11220 acres
Location: Johnson & Morgan
Contact: 606-776-2620
Elevation: minimum 715 feet, maximum 1265 feet.
Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 37.9003, Longitude W -82.9636
Area Habitat: open land 3.52%, forest 95.70%, wetland 0.02%, open water 0.73%.

Regulations

Fall Hunting Season:

Open under statewide rules and regulations in effect for the county.

Exceptions:

Closed for October muzzleloader deer season. Open for December muzzleloader deer season.

Closed for modern gun deer season, except for the quota hunt.

Deer, bear, and elk hunting is archery/crossbow only (firearms prohibited) in three areas near the dam: 1) the area extending eastward from the drainage of Glade Branch along the lake to the state park boundary line at Rocky Knob, 2) the two islands visible from the state park boat ramp at the end of KY 2275, and 3) the entire hollow surrounding the Shoal Branch cove of the lake west of the dam beginning where Paintsville Utilities Water Treatment Plant is visible on the lake edge.

Directions & Description

The WMA surrounds most of the shoreline of Paintsville Lake. Approximately 3 miles northwest of Paintsville on HWY 40, then take HWY 2275 to Marina and Dam. To access west side of WMA from West Liberty, take HWY 172 to HWY 3214.

Rolling hills, two-thirds in hardwood forest, some old fields and crop fields.

Opportunities for hunting, fishing, boating, birding on lake. Trout are stocked in Paintsville Lake, refer to the fishing guide for regulations.

Managed by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Owned by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
location map

Mapping Resources

Online Resources