Upper Salt River

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Upper Salt River

Upper Salt River begins in southcentral Boyle County just west of Danville and flows north passing by the communities of Harrodsburg, Salvisa and Lawrenceburg before entering into Taylorsville Lake. Upper Salt River is semi-remote and flows through an area predominantly surrounded by agricultural land, but does offer a number of public access sites. Several access points are close together offering the chance to float fish from one access point to another, along with plenty of options to wade fish at all access sites. Upper Salt River is a fairly narrow system and is comprised of riffle/run habitat and pools that support fishable populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, smallmouth bass, and white crappie.

 
 
 
Photo of Upper Salt River  
 

Upper Salt River Access: Site-to-Site Mileages

Upper Salt River site-to-site mileage table
Put-In Access Site Take-Out Access Site Total River Miles
Dry Branch Road Access Salt River Ramp 3 Access 3.1
Salt River Ramp 3 Access Four Roses Distillery Access 30.5
Four Roses Distillery Access Rice Road Ford Access 3.8
Rice Road Ford Access Drydock Road Access 7.5

Recommended River Levels for Boating and Fishing for Salt River at Glensboro, KY

These ratings are only recommendations. Skill and experience will dictate levels appropriate for each angler.

Recommended gauge heights for boating and fishing on Salt River at Glensboro, Kentucky
Rating Gauge Height (feet)
Low <3.7 ft
Good 3.7-4.5 ft
High >4.5 ft
Recommended flow rates for boating and fishing on Salt River at Glensboro, Kentucky
Rating Flow (cubic feet per second)
Low <130 cfs
Good 130-400 cfs
High >400 cfs

Salt River Public Access Site Descriptions

Dry Branch Road Access

Additional information and directions for Dry Branch Road Access

Dry Branch Road access is located two and a half miles south of Harrodsburg, KY. To access this site, head south out of Harrodsburg on US-68 W/Perryville Street for 1.5 miles, take a left onto Dry Branch Road for 1 mile and the creek access will be on the right. Parking is limited at this site depending on water levels and bank availability. This site provides good access for canoes and kayaks. No amenities exist at this site. Please do not block the access site and respect private property.

Photo of Dry Branch Road Access on Upper Salt River  
Second photo of Dry Branch Road Access on Upper Salt River  
 

Salt River Ramp 3 Access

Additional information and directions for Salt River Ramp 3 Access

This single lane concrete ramp is located on the western edge of Harrodsburg, KY in Salt River Park. From the city center of Harrodsburg, go west on Mooreland Ave/Mackville Rd for 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Salt River Park and the ramp will be located in the back of the parking lot. Boaters should be aware that a low head dam is located directly downstream of the ramp. Plenty of bank fishing is available above and below the dam. This site provides good access for small john boats, canoes, and kayaks. No amenities exist at this site. Picnic tables, park benches and a small pavilion are available at this location. Please follow all posted park rules and regulations.

Photo of Salt River Ramp 3 Access on Upper Salt River  
Second photo of Salt River Ramp 3 Access on Upper Salt River  
 

Four Roses Distillery Access

Additional information and directions for Four Roses Distillery Access

This single lane, gravel/dirt ramp is located six miles south of Lawrenceburg, KY. From Lawrenceburg, head south on HWY 127 for 4.2 miles, then turn right onto KY-513 W for 1.3 miles. After crossing over Salt River, turn left onto KY-749 for a quarter of a mile and the access site will be on the left. Parking is limited at this access site and is primarily on the side of the road. Boaters should be aware that a low head dam is located half a mile downstream of the ramp. There are no other amenities available at this site. This site is suitable for john boats, canoes, and kayaks. Please do not block the access site and respect private property.

Photo of Four Roses Distillery Access on Upper Salt River  
Second photo of Four Roses Distillery Access on Upper Salt River  
 

Rice Road Ford Access

Additional information and directions for Rice Road Ford Access

Rice Road Ford crosses Upper Salt River three and a half miles southwest of Lawrenceburg, KY. To access this site, head southwest out of Lawrenceburg on US-62 W/Fox Creek Rd for 1.9 miles, take a left onto Rice Road for just over a mile and a half and you will end at the ford crossing. Parking is limited at the ford depending on water levels and bank availability. This site provides good access for canoes and kayaks. Bank fishing is limited to the area directly around the ford due to adjacent private property. No amenities exist at this site. Please do not block the ford and respect private property.

Drydock Road Access

Additional information and directions for Drydock Road Access

Drydock Road access is located four and a half miles west of Lawrenceburg, KY. To access this site, head west out of Lawrenceburg on KY-44 W/Glensboro Road for 4.3 miles, take a left onto Drydock Road for a quarter of a mile and the creek access will be on the right. Parking is limited at this site depending on water levels and bank availability. This site provides good access for canoes and kayaks. No amenities exist at this site. Please do not block the access site and respect private property.

Tips

For the latest tips and advice, visit our Stream Fishing Tips and Tactics page.

Fisheries Overview

The following length frequencies are representative of the top species sampled in Upper Salt River from 2018.

Largemouth bass length-frequency graph  
 
Bluegill length-frequency graph  
 
Smallmouth bass length-frequency graph  
 
White crappie length-frequency graph