Paintsville Lake WMA

WMA Overview

Size: 11220 acres
Location: Johnson & Morgan
Contact: (606) 226-9133; COE office (606) 297-6312.
Elevation: minimum 715 feet, maximum 1265 feet.
Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 37.9003, Longitude W -82.9636
Area Habitat: open land 3.63%, forest 94.93%, wetland 0.05%, open water 1.33%.

Regulations

Open under county and statewide regulations, except:

Deer Season Restrictions:

  • Muzzleloader: Open for December Muzzleloader Season Only. Archery/crossbow only; firearms prohibited.
  • Modern Gun: Quota Hunt Only. Archery/crossbow only; firearms prohibited.
  • Youth Gun: Archery/crossbow only; firearms prohibited.

Bear: Archery/crossbow only; firearms prohibited.

Elk Quota: Archery/crossbow only; firearms prohibited.

Other Restrictions: Deer, bear, and elk hunting are 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 the Paintsville Utilities Water Treatment Plant building 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.