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Kentucky Dam Village Marina & Restaurant
This state park marina has a dock for
patrons using the restaurant. They have a full menu and a daily buffet
with buffalo featured a couple times each year. You will find the
finger pier to the far right after you pass through the break wall.
The marina is close to the dam on the west side of the lake. The offset
break wall entrance can be identified by a large blue anchor just to the
left of the cut. Overnight dockage is not allowed at the restaurant
pier.
(top)
 Sledd
Creek
There are no services in this bay
located directly across the lake from Lighthouse
Landing. Some private residences occupy the north side of the bay, but the south side is
undeveloped. The short 2 mile trip across the lake makes this a great
first or last night anchorage. The large area to the left after you
enter the bay has good protection from prevailing southwest winds and
good depth and bottom for easy anchoring.
(top)
 Cow
Bay
Again on the west side of the lake and
about 2 1/2 miles due south of Lighthouse Landing, this unnamed bay is
another favorite for the beginning or end of a charter. It is directly
across the lake from a prominent microwave tower which is located
about 3/4 of a mile south of the canal to Barkley Lake. The best over
night anchorage is toward the back and to the right hand side of the
bay. Like most of the areas on Kentucky Lake, the bottom is clay and
your primary danforth anchor set off the bow is all that is needed for
a secure nights stay. You will probably be awakened by the cows
drinking at waters edge in the early morning (hence the name). When
entering and leaving use the north side of the mouth of the bay. There
is a serious shoal in front of this bay. If you cross anywhere near
the middle or south of the entrance you will run aground and, if all
else fails, you can arrange for a tow by calling us on VHF channel 16
during normal business hours.
(top)
 Lunch
Stops
O'Brien Branch and Nickell Cove are the
first two bays south of the canal on the LBL side. Each Bay is a good
place to drop the lunch hook, but not a great place to spend the
night.
(top)
 Moss
Creek
This is the first bay in the LBL to
offer good protection for overnight anchorage. This bay is directly in
the Hillman Ferry Campground, so there is a lot of activity here.
There is also a sand beach, small dock and bath house close by. All
facilities are for the use of registered campers. Your best bet for an
anchorage is in the finger to the left and not in front of the beach
where a lot of fishing boats come through going to and from the launch
ramp. Millfoil (seaweed) sometimes grows in this area and can be a
nuisance by clogging your engine cooling intake or filter.
(top)
 Pisgah
Bay
While Pisgah Bay is about 1 1/2 miles
long and has good protection and holding ground, it might be passed up
for some of the other large bays further south. The drawback is the
presence of two campgrounds, Hillman Ferry and Pisgah Point, and two
boat launching ramps. Both of these factors generate a lot of power
boat traffic, especially on weekends and holidays. Either the
northwest or southeast ends will have good water depth and bottom for
anchorage. The wind direction will dictate which end you choose in
heavy weather. The quieter, more secluded spot is the southeast end.
(top)
 Moors
Marina & Restaurant
Strictly a power boat marina, this is a
good source for ice in this part of the lake. They also have a family
style restaurant that serves a good breakfast buffet on weekends. As
with any foreign marina, you should contact them on VHF channel 16
when you enter the harbor to get instructions and permission to tie up
or anchor. Use the secondary or cross channels when going to Moor's
Marina. As is indicated on the chart, the west side of the lake has
some shallow water that should be avoided. The town of Birmingham was
relocated from this site when the lake was constructed. Unfortunately,
some of the concrete steps and foundations remain. Navigate this area
only in the channels.
(top)
 Smith
Bay
At mile 32 on the LBL side Smith is a
large bay offering some good anchorage's and relative seclusion. Enter
at the south or middle of the bay to avoid a small shoal on the north
shore of the entrance. During lower water periods there is a natural
sand beach on the south shore just around the point from the day
marker. Near the beach, and the finger on further back are both good
anchorages. A finger by the day mark on the north shore is also a
small lake access camping area. There are normally only a hand full of
campers using this campground. The North South hiking trail can be
accessed along the shore of the back 1/3 of this bay.
(top)
 Duncan
Bay
Over half a dozen great spots to drop
the hook for the night. You could spend your entire charter
overnighting in this bay and stay at a different place each night.
Take the north side of the entrance wide to avoid the shoal there.
Once in the bay the choice is yours. There are no campgrounds or lake
accesses in Duncan Bay. If someone is already in a good spot, just
move to another. Like Smith, Duncan is a winter wildlife sanctuary. It
is not unusual to see deer and other animals watering there. Great
blue heron are plentiful in the area and can stir your imagination
with their prehistoric squawk.
(top)
 Sugar
Bay
Entering this bay on the south side
will put you over a shoal area that is a problem in lower water. The
only other area of concern is also only a problem when the water is a
couple feet below summer pool. There is a 350 foot contour that pushes
the channel close to the south side of the bay.
Once the first finger
to the north is off your port beam you are well clear. There are 7
excellent anchorages in this bay, including an open area all the way
back in the main bay. A lake access area with associated light camping
and boat launch is located in the second finger abut a mile into the
bay on the south side. From Sugar Bay the closest facilities will be
at Kenlake Marina about 8 miles to the south.
(top)
 Higgins
Bay
The entrance to Higgins shoals is on
the more normal down stream or north side of the bay. It is only a
problem in low water and is easy to avoid. Ewes Branch is the major
finger in Higgins and allows for good protection in most weather. Some
milfoil growth occurs in the shallower back parts of this area and
should be avoided. An interesting feature in Higgins is the island (at
normal pool) at the mouth of Ewes Branch. Exploring this small island
will reveal one of many old cemeteries in the Land Between the Lakes
area. Another good anchorage is just behind or to the east of the
island. During lower water the area between the island and mainland
dries out. It is not passable at normal pool.
(top)
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