BOATING GUIDE KENTUCKY FISHING - Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ...
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KENTUCKY FISHING
& BOATING GUIDE
MARCH 2019 - FEBRUARY 2020
FISH & WILDLIFE:
1-800-858-1549 • fw.ky.gov
Rick Hill illustration
Report Game Violations
and Fish Kills:
1-800-25-ALERT
KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601
DEFINITIONS
(301 KAR 1:201, KRS 150.010) Daylight hours begin one-half hour be- Regulation is a written document adopted
Fishing-related definitions not listed fore sunrise and end one-half hour after and approved by the KDFWR Commis-
here are included in appropriate sections of sunset. sion and approved by legislative commit-
this guide. Daily limit is the maximum number of a tees.
particular species or group of species a per- Release means return of the fish, in the best
Angling means taking or attempting to son may legally keep in a day or have in possible condition, immediately after re-
take fish by hook and line in hand, rod in possession while fishing. moving the hook, to the water from which
hand, jugging, set line or sport fishing trot- Fishing is taking or attempting to take fish it was taken in a place where the fish’s im-
line. in any manner, whether or not fish are in mediate escape shall not be prevented.
Artificial baits are lures or flies made of possession. Resident is anyone who has established
wood, metal, plastic, hair, feathers, pre- Lake means impounded waters, from the permanent and legal residence in Kentucky
served pork rind or similar inert materi- dam upstream to the first riffle on the main and residing here at least 30 days.
als and having no organic baits including stem river and tributary streams or as speci- Size limit is the legal length a fish must be
dough bait, putty or paste type baits de- fied in regulation. if it is in possession. (Fish length is mea-
signed to attract fish by taste or smell. Length means the distance from the front sured from the tip of the closed lower jaw
Authorization number is the number as- tip of a fish’s lower jaw with mouth closed to the tip of the tail with fish laid flat on
signed to a person in lieu of fishing or to the tip of its tail with the fish laid flat on rule and tail lobes squeezed together.)
hunting license when the license is pur- a rule with its tail lobes squeezed together. Slot limit means fish within a specified
chased over the phone or Internet. Organic baits are insects, minnows, fish minimum and maximum size range must
Black bass includes largemouth, small- eggs, worms, corn, cheese, cut bait or simi- be released.
mouth, Kentucky (spotted) and Coosa bass. lar substances used as a lure. Single hook is a hook with only one point.
Culling: Replacing a live fish in the daily Possession limit is the maximum number Tenant is any resident sharecropper or
creel limit with another fish of the same of unprocessed fish a person may hold after lessee who lives and works on farmland
species. two days or more of fishing. owned by his/her landlord.
QUICK REFERENCE
FISHING Measuring Fish.................................. �����3 Navigating
Asian Carp.............................................22 New Laws.......................................... �����2 Crossing..............................................34
Bordering Waters...................................15 Nuisance Species....................................22 Meeting..............................................34
Brook Trout Streams..............................26 Parasites and Grubs in Fish....................17 Overtaking..........................................34
Bullfrogs..................................................9 Possession Limits............................... �����3 Equipment
Consumption Advisories..........................17 Size and Creel Limits......................... �����3 Fire Extinguishers...............................35
Didymo..................................................25 Special Regulations............................ �����4 Marine Sanitation Devices...................36
FINS Lakes..............................................4 State Record Fish...................................28 Muffling Devices.................................36
Fish Species Identification......................19 Trophy Fish/Master Angler Program.......27 Navigation Lights................................36
Fishing Methods Trout Seasonal Catch and Release...........23 Personal Flotation Devices......................35
Trotlines, Jugging and Set Lines..........10 Trout Stocking........................................23 Signaling Devices...................................36
Gigging and Snagging.........................11 Turtles.....................................................9 Ventilation.............................................36
Tickling and Noodling.........................11 Zebra Mussels........................................22 Idle Speed..............................................33
Bow Fishing.......................................11 Inflatables..............................................32
Spear Fishing.....................................11 Locks and Dams.....................................33
Fishing Tournaments...............................16 BOATING Personal Watercraft...............................32
Grass Carp.............................................10 Accidents Prohibited Riding...................................34
Licenses First Aid.............................................37 Reckless Operation.................................32
Fees....................................................12 Hypothermia.......................................37 Registration
Requirements and Exemptions.............13 Rendering Aid.....................................37 Display of Numbers and Decals............30
Senior/Disabled License.......................14 Reporting Requirements.......................37 Fees....................................................30
Trout Permit.......................................13 Age Restrictions.....................................31 Transfers.............................................30
Pay Lakes...........................................13 Airborne Devices....................................31 Restricted Zones.....................................33
Free Fishing Days................................14 Alcohol..................................................33 Scuba Diving..........................................32
Littering................................................32 Boat, Motor and Lake Restrictions..........31 Swimming..............................................32
Live Bait................................................10 Buoys.....................................................34 Waterway Markers.................................34
Water Skiing .........................................31
March 2019 - February 2020
KENTUCKY FISHING
& BOATING GUIDE
Lee McClellan photo
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This is a SUMMARY of the laws regarding fishing and boating.
This guide is intended solely for informational use. It is not a
3 FISHING REGULATIONS
reprint of any referenced statute or regulation in its entirety and
should not be used as such. Questions about the information con-
tained in this guide should be directed to the Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources BEFORE engaging in the activities
16 GENERAL INFORMATION
referenced. Actual wording of any Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS)
or Kentucky Administrative Regulation (KAR) can be viewed at
www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/frntpage.htm. 23 TROUT WATERS
OTHER GUIDES AVAILABLE
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife also produces regulation guides for
spring and fall hunting and trapping. Call 1-800-858-1549 week-
27 TROPHY FISH
days, look for a copy of these regulation guides where hunting
30
licenses are sold, or log on to fw.ky.gov.
BOATING
1
NEW THIS YEAR
Commonwealth of Kentucky The items highlighted in bright blue boats.
Matthew G. Bevin, Governor throughout this guide are a quick overview • Buckhorn Lake: Muskellunge mini-
of the changes to this year’s regulations. mum size limit is now 40 inches.
Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
• Carnico Lake (Nicholas County): Sun-
Don Parkinson, Secretary
Regina Stivers, Deputy Secretary FISHING fish now have a 15-fish daily creel limit.
• A statewide 14-inch minimum size • Carpenter Lake (Daviess County): The
FISH and WILDLIFE COMMISSION limit and a 6-fish daily creel limit for restriction on shad for bait is removed.
1st District: Dr. Harry W. Carloss, Paducah walleye, sauger and their hybrids. • Lake Reba (Madison County): Large-
2nd District: Brian Fisher, Bowling Green
3rd District: Ralph Swallows, Louisville • A statewide 12-inch minimum size mouth bass are now under statewide
4th District: Kenny Knott, Glasgow limit on catfish on lakes stocked by regulations.
5th District: Kevin R. Bond, Burlington Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. • Paintsville Lake: Largemouth bass are
6th District: Jeffrey Eaton, Lawrenceburg
• Anglers using traditional and non-tra- now under statewide regulations.
7th District: Paul Horn, Prestonsburg
8th District: vacant ditional fishing methods have a 2-fish • Rockcastle River WMA (Pulaski
9th District: Dr. Karl Clinard, Somerset daily creel limit on paddlefish with a County) All ponds collectively:
Commissioner Emeritus: Dr. James R. Rich, Taylor Mill possession limit of 4 fish. Largemouth bass: 15-inch minimum
KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT of
• Anglers using non-traditional methods size limit with a 1-fish daily creel limit,
FISH and WILDLIFE RESOURCES may not harvest lake sturgeon. Bluegill and sunfish: 10-fish daily creel
Commissioner: Rich Storm • Live wild caught fish of the species limit, Catfish: 4-fish daily creel limit,
Deputy Commissioner: Karen Waldrop mooneye or goldeye may only be used Crappie: 15-fish daily creel limit.
Deputy Commissioner: Misty Judy (acting)
Wildlife Director: vacant
in the waters from which they were • Anglers who hand grab or noodle may
Fisheries Director: Ron Brooks collected. only keep one blue or channel catfish
Law Enforcement Director: Col. Eric Gibson • Benjy Kinman Lake (Henry County): longer than 25 inches on Barren River
Information & Education Director: Largemouth bass are now under state- Lake, Dewey Lake, Fishtrap Lake and
Emily Hogue (acting)
Administrative Services Director: Lisa Cox
wide regulations. Idle speed only for Taylorsville Lake.
Engineering, Infrastructure and
Technology Director: Michael Scott (acting)
Marketing Director: Brian V. Blank
FISHING and BOATING GUIDE Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Editor: Lee McClellan
Art/Design Director: Adrienne Yancy
Contributors: Dane Balsman, Ron Brooks, Department History Department’s Role in
Shane Carrier, Dave Dreves, Mike Hardin and The Kentucky Department of Fish Conservation
Jeff Ross and Wildlife Resources is a state agency Kentucky Fish and Wildlife does
within the Tourism, Arts & Heritage much more than just restore species once
Cabinet. The department was originally es- decimated from the state’s landscape. The
tablished in 1912 as the Kentucky Game department is a research-intensive agency
and Fish Commission to protect the state’s staffed with professional biologists who
Obie Williams photo
dwindling fish and game populations. To- help guide decisions that benefit all fish and
day, Kentucky has more deer and bald ea- wildlife species. The department’s outreach
gles than during Daniel Boone’s day. programs help educate youth about conser-
vation. Employees work to improve hunter
Department Funding and angler opportunities through boat ramp
Landowner permission required During the height of the Great De- construction, public land acquisition, stream
for hunting and fishing pression, hunters asked Congress to im- restoration and more. Conservation officers
A person shall not enter upon the lands pose a tax on their sporting equipment and enforce laws and help protect the public.
of another to hunt, fish or trap without ammunition to help pay for conservation. A nine-member citizen board ap-
the oral or written permission of the Following World War II, anglers supported pointed by the governor and confirmed
landowner, tenant or person who has au- similar excise taxes on fishing equipment by the state Senate receives input from
thority to grant permission. Those who and boat fuel. the public, biologists and other interested
fail to obtain permission are subject to Today, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife parties to recommend regulations govern-
arrest and prosecution. Railroad tracks relies on these federal funding sources ing fish and wildlife. Regulations proposed
and rights of way are privately owned to complement its own revenue raised by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Com-
property and permission to hunt, fish through the sale of hunting and fishing li- mission must be approved by the Kentucky
or trap must be obtained prior to entry. censes to support the department and its General Assembly. Go online to fw.ky.gov
(KRS 150:092) programs. for meeting dates and agendas.
2
FISHING REGULATIONS
FISHING REGULATIONS
STATEWIDE REGULATIONS
Some waterbodies have different size and creel limits, please refer to the “Special Fishing Regulations” section for more details.
There are no size or creel limits for rough fish, unless statewide or special regulations apply.
For daily creel and fishing license purposes, one fishing day equals one calendar day. Except for trout, anglers may cull fish
of a particular species until reaching the daily creel limit. Any additional fish caught in excess of the daily creel limit must be
released immediately.
FISH SPECIES Daily Limit Possession Limit Minimum Size Limit
Largemouth Bass 6* 12* 12”
BLACK
BASS
Smallmouth Bass 6* 12* 12”
Kentucky (Spotted) Bass 6* 12* none
Coosa Bass 6* 12* none
Rock Bass 15 30 none
Redear Sunfish 20 40 none
Walleye, Sauger and their Hybrids 6* 12* 14”
Muskellunge 1 2 30”
Chain Pickerel 5 10 none
Northern Pike none none none
White & Hybrid Striped Bass 15** 30** none**
Striped Bass 5 10 15”
Yellow Bass none none none
Crappie (Black & White) 20* 40* none
Rainbow Trout 8 16 none
Brown Trout 1 2 16”
Paddlefish 2 4 none
Brook Trout Catch and release only***
Lake Sturgeon Catch and release only
* Singly or combined; a total of these species ** No more than 5 fish in the daily creel limit may be more than 15 inches long.
*** Except for the Cumberland River downstream of Wolf Creek Dam and the upper section of Hatchery Creek, see Special
Regulations section for details.
STATEWIDE SIZE and CREEL except some waters have different limits squeezed together. Undersized fish must
LIMITS (301 KAR 1:060, 1:201; KRS (see “Special Fishing Regulations”). be returned immediately to the waters
150.010) from which they were taken in the best
Fishing season is open year-round MEASURING FISH possible physical condition.
in Kentucky, except on waterfowl refug- (301 KAR 1:201)
es and as otherwise noted in this guide. Measure all fish from the tip of the
Statewide size and creel limits apply to lower jaw (closed) to the tip of the tail
all Kentucky waters, public and private, with fish laid flat on rule with tail lobes Q: How is a daily creel limit
different than a possession limit?
Squeezed tail A: The daily creel limit is the
number of a particular sport fish
species you may keep in one day’s
fishing. A possession limit is two
times the daily creel limit for all
fish species with a daily creel limit
and excludes processed fish.
length
3
FISHING REGULATIONS SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS
(301 KAR 1:080, 1:180, 1:201, 2:222 County), Middleton Mills Long Pond Lake (Hardin County), Fort Knox Low-
4:100, KRS 150.010, 150.025) and Shelterhouse Ponds (Kenton Coun- er Douglas Lake (Hardin County), Fort
ty), Mike Miller Park Lake (Marshall Knox Sanders Lake (Hardin County),
SPECIAL REGULATION WATERS County), Miles Park Lakes ( Jefferson Fort Knox Upper Douglas Lake (Har-
LISTED ALPHABETICALLY County), Millennium Park Pond (Boyle din County), General Butler State Park
The public waters listed below have County), Panther Creek Park Lake, (Da- Lake (Carroll County), Grants Branch
different size and/or creel limits than viess County), Prisoner’s Lake (Kenton Lake (Pike County), Greenbo Lake
statewide regulations allow. Statewide County), Rotary Park Lake (Hickman (Greenup County), Guist Creek Lake
size and creel limits apply unless other- County), Scott County Park Lake (Scott (Shelby County), Higginson and Henry
wise mentioned below. Special boating County), Southgate Lake (Campbell WMA Morton’s Lake (Union County),
regulations are listed in the Boating sec- County), Southland Christian Church Highsplint Lake (Harlan County), Jen-
tion of this guide. Lake ( Jessamine County), Three Springs kins City Reservoir (Letcher County),
Some privately owned waters may Lake (Warren County), Tom Wallace Jericho Lake (Henry County), Kincaid
have special size and creel limits as post- Park Lake ( Jefferson County), Upper Lake (Pendleton County), Kingfisher
ed by signs. Sportsman’s Lake (Franklin County), Lakes (Daviess County), Kleber WMA
Waverly Park Lake ( Jefferson County), Lake (Franklin County), Lake Bes-
FINs LAKES: Waymond Morris Park Lake (Daviess hear (Caldwell County), Lake Chum-
Lakes in the Fishing In Neighbor- County), Whitehall Park Lake (Madison ley (Lincoln County), Lake George
hoods (FINs) program have uniform County), Yellow Creek Park Lake (Da- (Crittenden County), Lake Linville
regulations for daily creel and size limits: viess County) (Rockcastle County), Lake Luzerne
• Rainbow Trout: 5-fish daily limit. There is now a 12-inch minimum (Muhlenberg County), Lake Malone
• Catfish: 4-fish daily limit. size limit on catfish on the following (Muhlenberg County), Lake Mauzy
• Sunfish: 15-fish daily limit. lakes stocked by Kentucky Fish and (Union County), Lake Reba (Madison
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum Wildlife: County), Lake Shelby (Shelby Coun-
size limit, 1 fish daily limit. A.J. Jolly Lake (Campbell Coun- ty), Laurel Creek Reservoir (McCreary
• Possession or use of live shad for bait ty), Audubon State Park Lake (Hen- County), Liberty City Reservoir (Casey
is prohibited. derson County), Ballard WMA Grav- County), Lincoln Homestead Lake
The following FINs lakes are now el Pit Pond (Ballard County), Beaver (Washington County), Long Run Park
under these special regulations: Lake (Anderson County), Benjy Kin- Lake ( Jefferson County), Lower Thom-
Alexandria Community Park Lake man Lake (Henry County), Bert T. as Lake (Owen County), Marion Coun-
(Campbell County), Anderson Coun- Combs Lake (Clay County), Beu- ty Lake (Marion County), Milo Lake
ty Community Park Lake (Anderson lah Lake ( Jackson County), Big Bone (Martin County), Martin County Res-
County), Bloomfield Park Lake (Nel- Lick State Park Lake (Boone Coun- ervoir (Martin County), Martins Fork
son County), Bob Noble Park Lake (Mc- ty), Blackberry Creek Park Pond (Pike Lake (Harlan County), McDougal
Cracken County), Brickyard Pond (Knox County), Boltz Lake (Grant Coun- Lake (Larue County), McNeely Lake
County), Camp Ernst Lake (Boone ty), Briggs Lake (Logan County), ( Jefferson County), Metcalfe Coun-
County), Carlson Lake (Ft. Knox, Meade Bullock Pen Lake (Grant County), ty Park Lake (Metcalfe County), Mill
County), Cherokee Park Lake ( Jeffer- Cannon Creek Lake (Bell County), Creek Lake (Monroe County), Mill
son County), Easy Walker Park Pond Carnico Lake (Nicholas County), Car- Creek Lake (Powell County), New Hav-
(Montgomery County), Fisherman’s penter Lake (Daviess County), Cart- en Optimist Club Lake (Nelson Coun-
Park Lakes ( Jefferson County), Flem- er Caves (Smoky Valley Lake) (Carter ty), Olive Hill Lake (Carter County),
ingsburg Old Reservoir (Fleming Coun- County), Cedar Creek Lake (Lincoln Panbowl Lake (Breathitt County), Pea-
ty), Jacobson Park Lake (Fayette Coun- County), Central Kentucky WMA body WMA Lakes (Muhlenberg Coun-
ty), James D. Beville Park Lake (Grayson Lake (Madison County), Chenoa Lake ty), Pikeville City Lake (Pike County),
County), Kentucky Horse Park Lakes (Bell County), Clear Creek Lake (Bath Rebel Trace Lake (Menifee County),
(Fayette County), Kess Creek Park Lake County), Corinth Lake (Grant Coun- Reformatory Lake (Oldham County),
(Graves County), Kingdom Come State ty), Cranks Creek Lake (Harlan Coun- Shanty Hollow Lake (Warren Coun-
Park Lake (Harlan County), Lake Min- ty), Doe Run Valley Lake (Kenton ty), Spurlington Lake (Taylor County),
go ( Jessamine County), Lake Pollywog County), Eagle Lake (Rowan Coun- Sympson Lake (Nelson County), Tay-
(Grant County), Leary Lake (Grant ty), Elk Horn Park Pond (Floyd Coun- lorsville WMA Pond 2 (Spencer Coun-
County), Logan Hubble Park Lake (Lin- ty), Elmer Davis Lake (Owen County), ty), Thurman Hutchins Park ( Jefferson
coln County), Lower Sportman’s Lake Fagan Branch Lake (Marion Coun- County), Vastwood Park Lake (Han-
(Franklin County), Lusby Lake (Scott ty), Fishpond Lake (Letcher County), cock County), Washburn Lake (Ohio
County), Madisonville City Park Lakes Fleming WMA Lake (Fleming Coun- County), Watterson Park Lake ( Jeffer-
(Hopkins County), Maysville-Mason ty), Flemingsburg New City Reservoir son County), West Fork Drakes Creek
County Recreation Park Lake (Mason (Fleming County), Fort Knox Crystal Lake (Simpson County), West Ken-
4
tucky WMA Lakes (McCracken Coun- must be immediately released. size limit.
FISHING REGULATIONS
ty), Wilburn Park Lake (Oldham Coun- • Bluegill and other sunfish: 15-fish
ty), Wilgreen Lake (Madison County), BEAVER CREEK from the KY 90 daily creel limit.
Willisburg Lake (Washington Coun- bridge upstream to the KY 200 bridge
ty), Willisburg Park Pond (Washing- Wayne County CARR CREEK LAKE
ton County), Wood Creek Lake (Lau- All trout caught from October 1 • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
rel County), Yellowbank WMA Ponds through March 31 must be immediately • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
(Breckinridge County) released and only artificial baits shall be 15-inch minimum size limit.
used during this period.
BARK CAMP CREEK CARTER CAVES STATE PARK LAKE
Whitley County BEAVER LAKE (also called Smoky Valley Lake)
All trout caught from October 1 Anderson County Fishing during daylight hours only.
through March 31 must be immediately Possession or use of live shad for Possession or use of live shad for
released and only artificial baits shall be bait is prohibited. bait is prohibited.
used during this period. • Largemouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch
BEECH FORK RESERVOIR protective slot limit. All largemouth
BARKLEY, KENTUCKY LAKES Powell County bass caught between 12 and 15 inch-
(and their connecting canal) • Bluegill: 15-fish daily creel limit. es in length must be immediately re-
• Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit. • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum leased; 6 fish daily creel limit, only 1
• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: size limit. fish may be longer than 15 inches.
15-inch minimum size limit.
BERT COMBS LAKE CASEY CREEK
BARKLEY TAILWATER – See Cum- Clay County Trigg County
berland River Possession or use of live shad for All trout caught from October 1
bait is prohibited. through March 31 must be immediately
BARREN RIVER upstream of released and only artificial baits shall be
Barren River Lake; downstream of BIG BONE CREEK used during this period.
the lake to Lock and Dam 1 and all Boone County
tributaries All trout caught from October 1 CAVE RUN LAKE
• Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to through March 31 must be immediately Gigging and snagging prohibited in
26-inch protective slot limit. All wall- released and only artificial baits shall be the main lake and all tributaries up to the
eye caught from 18 to 26 inches long used during this period. first riffle. The location of the first riffle
must be immediately released. may change depending on water levels.
BOLTZ LAKE • Largemouth Bass: 13 to 16-inch pro-
BARREN RIVER LAKE Grant County tective slot limit. All largemouth bass
The boundaries of Barren Riv- Possession or use of live shad for caught between 13 and 16 inches in
er Lake are from the dam upstream to bait is prohibited. length must be released immediately.
the KY 100 bridge, Long Creek to the • Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum
KY 100 bridge, Beaver Creek to the KY BRIGGS LAKE size limit.
1297 bridge, Skaggs Creek to the Mat- Logan County • Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size
thews Mill Road bridge and Peter Creek Possession or use of live shad for limit.
to the Peter Creek Road bridge. bait is prohibited.
• Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish
daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be
longer than 25 inches.
BUCKHORN LAKE
• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
Q: Is fishing allowed around a
dock or a marina?
• Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. 15-inch minimum size limit.
• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
15-inch minimum size limit except 1
• Muskellunge: 40-inch minimum size
limit.
A: It depends. Public marinas
on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit.
Lakes have contractual agreements
possession limit may be less than 15
that address lease space on public
inches long. CANE CREEK
waters. The Corps presently allows
• Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to Laurel County the marina owners or operators to
26-inch protective slot limit. All wall- All trout caught from October 1 post signs that prohibit fishing with-
eye caught from 18 to 26 inches long through March 31 must be immediately in 150 feet of their floating struc-
released and only artificial baits shall be tures. These agreements do not pro-
used during this period.
Did you know?
hibit a person from fishing in their
boat rental slip. This policy does not
Camping is prohibited on KDFWR CARNICO LAKE apply to privately owned boat docks
owned or managed lakes. Nicholas County on Corps lakes.
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum
5
CEDAR CREEK LAKE tective slot limit. All trout caught be- DIX RIVER from Herrington Lake
FISHING REGULATIONS Lincoln County tween 15 and 20 inches in length
must be immediately released. Five
Dam downstream for two miles
• Largemouth Bass: 20-inch minimum Fishing with artificial lures or flies only.
size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit. fish daily limit, only one rainbow
trout may be longer than 20 inches. DOE RUN LAKE
CHIMNEY TOP CREEK Also applies to all tributary streams, Kenton County
Wolfe County except Hatchery Creek. Possession or use of live shad for
Only artificial baits may be used. • Brook Trout: 1 fish daily creel lim- bait is prohibited.
it with a 15-inch minimum size limit. • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum
CLEAR CREEK Also applies to all tributary streams, size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit.
Bell County except Hatchery Creek. • Channel Catfish: Four fish daily creel
All trout caught from October 1 limit.
through March 31 must be immediately CUMBERLAND RIVER from Lake
released and only artificial baits shall be Barkley Dam downstream to conflu- DOG FORK
used during this period. ence with Ohio River Wolfe County
Gigging and snagging only permit- Only artificial baits with a single
CORINTH LAKE ted downstream of U.S. 62 bridge with a hook shall be used. Brook trout must be
Grant County daily creel limit of 8 fish. Harvesting of immediately released.
Possession or use of live shad for sportfish by gigging or snagging is pro-
bait is prohibited. hibited. All snagged or gigged rough fish EAST FORK INDIAN CREEK
including paddlefish, with the exception Menifee County
CUMBERLAND GAP NATIONAL of shad, herring or Asian carp, shall be All trout caught from October 1
HISTORICAL PARK taken into possession and not be culled. through March 31 must be immediately
(301 KAR 1:035) Snagged or gigged fish must not be dis- released and only artificial baits shall be
Special fishing regulations are in posed of on the bank. Disposing of fish used during this period.
effect on Cumberland Gap Nation- on the bank is littering and subject to a
al Historical Park. For complete fishing fine. See the gigging and snagging sec- ELKHORN CREEK in Franklin
information on this area contact: Cum- tion on page 11 of this guide for addi- County from confluence of North
berland Gap National Historical Park, tional information. Snagged paddlefish and South forks downstream to
P.O. Box 1848, Middlesboro, KY 40965, or their roe cannot be sold. Kentucky River
phone (606) 248-2817. • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
DALE HOLLOW LAKE 12 to 16-inch protective slot lim-
CUMBERLAND RIVER upstream • Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, it. Largemouth and smallmouth bass
from Cumberland Falls and all 15 fish daily creel limit. caught between 12 and 16 inches in
tributaries: • Black Bass creel: includes largemouth, length must be immediately released.
• Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to smallmouth and Kentucky (spotted) Daily limit of 6 may include no more
26-inch protective slot limit. All wall- bass – 5 fish daily creel limit on black than 2 fish longer than 16 inches.
eye caught from 18 to 26 inches long bass singly or combined, only two of • For regulatory purposes, the bound-
must be immediately released. which may be smallmouth bass. ary of Elkhorn Creek is a permanent
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum marker just below the first shoal up-
CUMBERLAND RIVER from Wolf size limit. stream from its confluence with the
Creek Dam to the Tennessee state • Smallmouth Bass: 16 to 21-inch pro- Kentucky River.
line tective slot limit. One fish over 21
All licensed anglers must possess a inches and one fish under 16 inches ELK SPRING CREEK
trout permit on this portion of Cumber- may be kept daily. Wayne County
land River. This includes Hatchery Creek • Sauger: 10 fish daily creel limit. All trout caught from October 1
and all tributaries up to the first riffle. • Rainbow and Brown Trout: 7-fish through March 31 must be immediately
Anglers may not attract or chum aggregate daily creel limit. released and only artificial baits shall be
trout with bait, corn or other attractants • Walleye: 16-inch minimum size limit, used during this period.
designed to draw numbers of trout to a 5 fish daily creel limit.
specific area. This includes all tributar- ELMER DAVIS LAKE
ies up to the first riffle and in Hatchery DEWEY LAKE Owen County
Creek. For new regulations on Hatchery • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Possession or use of live shad for
Creek, refer to the Hatchery Creek sec- 15-inch minimum size limit. bait is prohibited.
tion on page 7. • Blue and Channel Catfish: 15 fish • Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch pro-
• Brown Trout: 20-inch minimum size daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be tective slot limit. All largemouth bass
limit, 1 fish daily creel limit, also ap- longer than 25 inches. caught between 12 and 15 inches in
plies to all tributary streams, except • Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size length must be immediately released.
Hatchery Creek. limit.
• Rainbow Trout: 15 to 20-inch pro- FAGAN BRANCH LAKE (also called
6
Lebanon City Lake) GREEN RIVER LAKE • Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch pro-
FISHING REGULATIONS
Marion County • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. tective slot limit. All largemouth bass
• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: • Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size caught between 12 and 15 inches in
12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. limit. length must be immediately released.
All largemouth and smallmouth bass
caught between 12 and 15 inches in HATCHERY CREEK LAKE CHUMLEY
length must be released immediately. Russell County Lincoln County
Anglers must possess a trout permit Fishing during daylight hours only.
FISHTRAP LAKE to fish Hatchery Creek.
• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: • Brook, Rainbow and Brown Trout: LAKE CUMBERLAND
15-inch minimum size limit. Upper section: As designated by signs, The boundaries of Lake Cumber-
• Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. 5 trout aggregate daily creel limit, no land are defined as Cumberland Falls
• Blue and Channel Catfish: 15 fish minimum size limit. on the Cumberland River, Devils Jump
daily creel limit, only 1 fish in the dai- Lower section: Catch and release on the Big South Fork, the Narrows of
ly creel limit may be longer than 25 only and only artificial baits may be Rockcastle River and Laurel River Lake
inches. used. The lower boundary of Hatch- Dam on Laurel River.
• Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to ery Creek is delineated as a straight • Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit.
26-inch protective slot limit. All wall- line between opposite points where • Lake Sturgeon: Catch and release only.
eye caught from 18 to 26 inches long Hatchery Creek meets the main stem • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum
must be immediately released. of the Cumberland River. size limit.
• Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum
FLOYD’S FORK from U.S. 60 bridge KENTUCKY, BARKLEY LAKES size limit.
downstream to U.S. 150 bridge (and their connecting canal) • Striped Bass: 22-inch minimum size
Jefferson County • Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit. limit, 2 fish daily creel limit.
• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
15-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish 15-inch minimum size limit. LAKE JERICHO
daily creel limit. Henry County
• Rainbow Trout: All trout caught from Possession or use of live shad for
Oct. 1 through Mar. 31 must be im- KENTUCKY LAKE TAILWATER – bait is prohibited.
mediately released and only artificial see Tennessee River • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum
baits shall be used during this period. size limit.
KENTUCKY RIVER, upstream of
GENERAL BUTLER STATE PARK Lock and Dam 14, the North Fork LAKE MALONE
LAKE and tributaries including Carr Fork • Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch pro-
Carroll County below Carr Creek Lake along with tective slot limit. All largemouth bass
Possession or use of live shad for the Middle and South Forks and all caught between 12 and 15 inches in
bait is prohibited. tributaries length must be immediately released.
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum • Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit, an 18-
size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. to 26-inch protective slot limit. All LAKE REBA
• Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches Madison County
limit. long must be immediately released. Possession or use of live shad for
bait is prohibited.
GOLDEN POND (Land Between The KENTUCKY RIVER WMA BOONE • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
Lakes National Recreation Area) TRACT, Henry County Now under statewide regulations.
• Channel Catfish: 15-inch minimum Benjy Kinman Lake:
size limit, 5 fish daily creel limit. • Largemouth Bass: Now under state- LAKE SHELBY
wide regulations. Shelby County
GRAYSON LAKE • Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit. • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum
• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: • Idle speed only. size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit.
15-inch minimum size limit. All other ponds: • Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum limit.
GREENBO LAKE size limit; 1 fish daily creel limit.
Greenup County • Bluegill and other sunfish: 15 fish LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES
Possession or use of live shad for daily creel limit. NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
bait is prohibited. • Crappie: 15 fish daily creel limit. (301 KAR 1:031)
• Bluegill and other sunfish: 15 fish • Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit. Special fishing regulations are in
daily creel limit. • Trolling motor only. effect for ponds and small lakes within
• Areas marked by signage and buoys Land Between The Lakes National Rec-
near the Jesse Stuart Lodge are peri- LAKE BLYTHE reation Area. For complete fishing in-
formation on this area, anglers should
odically closed to fishing. Christian County
7
contact: Land Between The Lakes Na- bait is prohibited. itary Reservation and in Otter Creek
FISHING REGULATIONS tional Recreation Area, Golden Pond,
KY 42231, phone (270) 924-2000. MIDDLE FORK, RED RIVER
Park from Oct. 1 through Mar. 31 must
be immediately released and only artifi-
Powell County cial baits shall be used during this peri-
LAUREL RIVER LAKE Within the Natural Bridge State od. There is a one-mile section of Otter
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum Park, all trout caught from October 1 Creek as posted by signs in Fort Knox
size limit. through March 31 must be immediately Military Reservation where trout fish-
• Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum released and only artificial baits shall be ing is open to statewide regulations. Fort
size limit, 2 fish daily creel limit. used during this period. Knox Military Reservation requires the
• Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit, purchase of a $10 permit to fish and is
15 fish daily creel limit. MILL CREEK LAKE closed to fishing on Tuesdays. Anglers
Powell and Wolfe counties must check-in with the Fort Knox Hunt
LEARY LAKE Possession or use of live shad for Control Office at (502) 624-2712 before
Grant County bait is prohibited. each day’s fishing.
Fishing during daylight hours only. • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum
size limit; 3 fish daily creel limit. PAINT CREEK from the KY 40 bridge
LEBANON CITY LAKE – see Fagan downstream to first U.S. 460 bridge
Branch Lake NEW HAVEN OPTIMIST LAKE Johnson County
Nelson County 16-inch minimum size limit and 1
LEFT FORK, BEAVER CREEK • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum fish daily creel limit on trout and only
Floyd County size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. artificial baits shall be used.
All trout caught from October 1 • Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel
through March 31 must be immediately limit. PAINTSVILLE LAKE
released and only artificial baits shall be • Largemouth Bass: Now under state-
used during this period. NOLIN RIVER LAKE wide regulations.
Lake upper boundary is the Wheel- • Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum
LEVISA FORK and all tributaries ers Mill Road bridge in the Nolin Riv- size limit.
upstream of Fishtrap Lake er arm and to the KY 728 bridge in the
• Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to Bacon Creek arm. PARCHED CORN CREEK
26-inch protective slot limit. All wall- • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. Wolfe County
eye caught from 18 to 26 inches long • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Only artificial baits with single
must be immediately released. 15-inch size limit, except 1 fish in the hook shall be used. Brook trout must be
daily limit or 2 in the possession limit immediately released.
LINCOLN HOMESTEAD STATE may be less than 15 inches long.
PARK LAKE PEABODY WMA LAKES
Washington County OHIO RIVER – see also, “Bordering In addition to a fishing license, a
Fishing during daylight hours Waters” page 15 $15.00 user permit is required of persons
only. Possession or use of live shad for • Walleye, Sauger and their Hybrids: age 16 and over while on Peabody WMA.
bait is prohibited. 14-inch minimum size limit, 6 fish Permits can be purchased where fishing
• Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel daily creel limit. licenses are sold. Fishing open Mar. 16
limit. • White Bass, Striped Bass and their - Oct. 14 on Goose, Island and South
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum Hybrids: 30 fish daily creel limit, only Lake, all other lakes open year-round.
size limit; 3 fish daily creel limit. 4 fish may be 15 inches or longer.
• Blue, Channel and Flathead Cat- PIKEVILLE CITY LAKE
MARION COUNTY LAKE fish: Anglers may keep one blue cat- Pike County
Possession or use of live shad for fish and one flathead catfish 35 inches • Largemouth Bass: All largemouth bass
bait is prohibited. or longer and one channel catfish 28 caught must be immediately released.
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum inches or longer daily. No daily creel
size limit. limit on catfish under those limits. POOR FORK and its tributaries
Letcher County
MARTIN’S FORK LAKE and all OTTER CREEK Downstream to the first crossing of
tributaries Meade County Hwy. 932, only artificial baits with single
• Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: hook shall be used. Brook trout must be
26-inch protective slot limit. All wall- 12- to 16-inch protective slot limit. immediately released.
eye caught from 18 to 26 inches long All largemouth and smallmouth bass
must be immediately released. caught between 12 and 16 inches in ROCK CREEK from Bell Farm bridge
length must be immediately released; upstream to Tennessee state line
McNEELY LAKE 6 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may McCreary County
Jefferson County be longer than 16 inches. All trout caught from October 1
Possession or use of live shad for All trout caught in Fort Knox Mil- through March 31 must be immediate-
8ly released and only artificial baits shall SWIFT CAMP CREEK limit is attained. All fish snagged includ-
FISHING REGULATIONS
be used during this period. Clifty Wilderness, Wolfe County ing paddlefish, except shad, herring or
All trout caught from October 1 Asian carp, must be taken into posses-
ROCKCASTLE RIVER WMA through May 31 must be released im- sion and not culled. Snagged fish must
Pulaski County mediately and only artificial baits shall not be disposed on the bank. This action
All Ponds Collectively: be used during this period. is littering and subject to a fine. Snagged
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum paddlefish or their roe cannot be sold.
size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit. SYMPSON LAKE Gigging is prohibited in the Tennes-
• Bluegill and Sunfish: 10-fish daily Nelson County see River below Kentucky Dam. See the
creel limit. • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum Gigging and Snagging section on page
• Catfish: 4-fish daily creel limit size limit. 11 for more information.
• Crappie: 15-fish daily creel limit.
TAYLORSVILLE LAKE TRAMMEL CREEK
ROUGH RIVER LAKE Lake upper boundary is Dry Dock Allen County
• Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. Road on Salt River. All trout caught from October 1
• Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: • Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, through March 31 must be immediately
15-inch minimum size limit except 1 15 fish daily creel limit. released and only artificial baits shall be
fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: used during this period.
possession limit may be less than 15 15-inch minimum size limit. • Rainbow Trout: 5 fish daily creel
inches long. • Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish limit.
daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be
SHANTY HOLLOW LAKE longer than 25 inches. WILLISBURG PARK POND
Warren County Washington County
Possession or use of live shad for TENNESSEE RIVER from Ken- • Channel Catfish: 4-fish daily creel
bait is prohibited. tucky Lake Dam downstream to limit.
• Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum confluence with Ohio River • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum
size limit. The area from Kentucky Dam to size limit, 1-fish daily creel limit.
the new U.S. 62 bridge will be open to • Sunfish: 15-fish daily creel limit, no
SHILLALAH CREEK snagging 24 hours per day from January minimum size limit.
Bell County 1 through May 31. From June 1 through
Outside the Cumberland Gap Na- December 31, the area is open to snag- WOOD CREEK LAKE
tional Park as posted, only artificial baits ging from sunset to sunrise. The area of Laurel County
with single hook shall be used. Brook the Tennessee River from the new U.S. • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
trout must be immediately released. 62 bridge to the I-24 bridge is closed 15-inch minimum size limit.
to snagging year round. The area from • Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to
SPORTSMAN’S LAKES the I-24 bridge to the confluence with 26-inch protective slot limit. All wall-
Franklin County the Ohio River is open to snagging eye caught from 18 to 26 inches long
Fishing during daylight hours only. year round. There is now a daily snag- must be immediately released.
ging creel limit of 8 fish in aggregate
SPURLINGTON LAKE and shall not exceed the daily creel lim- YATESVILLE LAKE
Taylor County it for any sport fish in which the creel • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
Possession or use of live shad for limit is under 8 fish per day. Snagging 15-inch minimum size limit.
bait is prohibited. must cease if any sport fish daily creel
OTHER SPECIES
BULLFROGS The possession limit is 30. and arrow. Otherwise a fishing license is
(301 KAR 1:082) required. Turtles can not be sold.
The taking season for bullfrogs TURTLES Turtle traps may be one of two
opens at noon on the third Friday in (301 KAR 1:058) kinds: either a barrel or drum with a tilt-
May (May 17, 2019) and runs through Anglers may take snapping turtles ing trigger board or a floating log raft
Oct. 31. If a gun or bow and arrow are (except alligator snapping turtles) and with an enclosed twine or wire mesh
used, a hunting license is required. If softshell turtles year round by the same bag. Turtle traps must be inspected daily.
frogs are taken by pole and line, a fishing methods legal for taking rough fish spe- All turtles must be removed daily except
license is required. If frogs are taken by cies or with a turtle trap. Commercial one decoy turtle may remain. Any other
gig or by hand, then either a hunting or fishing gear may not be used to take species (except soft shelled and snapping
fishing license is valid. The daily noon- turtles. A hunting license is required turtles) caught in a turtle trap must be
to-noon creel limit for bullfrogs is 15. when taking turtles by gun or by bow released unharmed.
9GRASS CARP HARVEST include shad (except on lakes where pos- be taken for bait as described above.
FISHING REGULATIONS PROHIBITED session or use of live shad is prohibited) Live bait may be taken with the fol-
lowing gear:
(301 KAR 1:201) and herring, 500 crayfish, 25 spring liz-
Harvesting grass carp is prohib- ards or dusky salamanders, 5 frogs (other • Dip Nets: Maximum size of 3 feet in
ited in any lake owned or managed by than bullfrogs), 5 tadpoles, 100 native diameter is legal statewide.
the Kentucky Department of Fish and lampreys, 500 other aquatic invertebrate • Minnow Traps: Maximum legal size
Wildlife Resources. Anglers who catch organisms other than mussels, and any statewide: 3 feet long, 18 inches in di-
a grass carp from one of these lakes must number of unshelled Asiatic clams. Live ameter, 1-inch openings for catching.
immediately return the fish to the water wild caught Asian carp, herring and • Seines: Maximum legal size statewide:
where it was caught. Grass carp are used shad, as well as the species mooneye and 10 feet long, 4 feet deep, ¼-inch mesh.
to control aquatic vegetation. goldeye, may only be used in the waters Maximum legal size in the Ohio and
from which they were collected. A com- Mississippi rivers and Kentucky and
LIVE BAIT FOR PERSONAL USE mercial license is required to take live bait Barkley lakes: 30 feet long, 6 feet deep
(301 KAR 1:130, 1:122) from public waters open to commercial and ¼-inch bar mesh.
No live fish, live bait fish or live fishing for the purpose of selling. • Sport Cast Nets: Maximum sport cast
bait organisms that are not native or Regardless of size or how obtained, net size is 20 feet in diameter with
established in Kentucky waters shall be it is illegal to use any sport fish for bait maximum 1-inch bar mesh statewide
bought, sold, possessed, imported, or in (except redear sunfish less than 6 inches except in the following waters. Sport
any way used or released into waters of long). Live bait fishes are defined as red- cast nets prohibited in: 1) lakes hav-
this Commonwealth. Blueback herring ear sunfish less than 6 inches long and ing fewer than 500 surface acres, 2)
are not native to Kentucky and may not rough fish except blackside dace, palezone Hatchery Creek in Russell County.
be imported or possessed in this state. shiner, Cumberland darter, relict darter All sport fish incidentally taken
Holders of sport fishing licenses may and tuxedo darter. Also, see page 21 for while capturing live bait with seines,
take live bait from public waters and may a description of these protected fish spe- dip nets or cast nets must be released
possess up to 500 live bait fishes which cies. Bluegills are not sport fish and may immediately unharmed into the water.
KNOW YOUR TURTLES!
COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE
Legal to take Illegal to take
NON-TRADITIONAL FISHING METHODS
must be set at least three feet below the trotlines or 25 set lines. Each sport fish-
No firearms water’s surface. Jugging is fishing with a
single baited line attached to any float-
ing trotline, jug line or set line must be:
1) permanently labeled with the cus-
Fish may not be taken with use of ing object. A jug line may have no more tomer identification number provided
a firearm. than one single or multi-barbed hook. A on fishing licenses; 2) baited, checked
set line is a line with one single or multi
barbed hook. It may be attached to a tree
SPORT FISHING TROTLINES, limb, tree trunk, bank pole or other sta- Q: What is legal equipment for
JUGGING and SET LINES (LIMB tionary object on the bank of a stream or sport fish?
LINES) impoundment.
(301 KAR 1:410; KRS 150.010) One person may use no more than A: Anglers may legally take
A sport fishing trotline is a line two sport fishing trotlines or 50 jug lines sport fish by hook and line in hand,
with no more than 50 single or multi- or 25 set lines at any one time. Each boat rod in hand, jugging, setline or
barbed baited hooks that must be at least may not use more than 50 jug lines, but sport fishing trotline.
each occupant may use two sportfishing
10 18 inches apart. A sport fishing trotlineand all fish removed at least once every fish daily creel limit. It is illegal to sell
FISHING REGULATIONS
24 hours; 3) removed from water, bank
or tree when fishing ceases.
paddlefish or their roe taken by sportfish
snagging methods. No daily limits on
Q: May you clean your fish
while on the water?
Prohibited Areas: Sport fishing any other rough fish. Regardless of con-
trotlines, jug lines or set lines may not be
used within 200 yards below any dam.
dition, all sport fish taken by gigging and
snagging must be immediately returned
A: Anglers shall not remove any
part of the head or tail of any fish
Sport fishing trotlines, jug lines or set lines to the water (except snagging in the for which there is a size or creel
are not allowed in Department owned/ Tennessee River below Kentucky Dam. limit until finished fishing and off
managed lakes having less than 500 sur- See special regulations on page 9). the water.
face acres, except those located on Ballard Persons may gig rough fish through
and Boatwright WMAs. No sport fish- the ice any time the surface is frozen
ing trotlines are allowed within 700 yards thick enough to stand upon. The gigger blue or channel catfish longer than 25
below Kentucky Dam, the area between must gig while supported by the ice. inches may be kept daily on Barren
Barkley Dam and U.S. 62 bridge, or below River Lake, Dewey Lake, Fishtrap
the following Ohio River dams from the Gigging and snagging are pro- Lake and Taylorsville Lake.
face of the dam to the end of the outer hibited in the following waters or
lock wall: Smithland, Newburgh, Can- areas: BOW FISHING
nelton, Markland, Meldahl and Greenup; • Cave Run Lake including all tributar- (301 KAR 1:410)
McAlpine downstream to the K&I rail- ies up to the first riffle (The location of Rough fish (except alligator gar and
road bridge; J.T. Meyers (Uniontown) to the first riffle may change depending lake sturgeon) may be taken year-round
the end of the outer lock wall and that on water level). by long bow, crossbow, compound bow,
portion of the split channel around the • Cumberland River, below Wolf Creek recurve bow or pneumatic air arrow
southern part of Wabash Island from the Dam downstream to the Tennessee launching device. Sport fish may not be
fixed weir dam to the first dike. line including all of Hatchery Creek taken with this gear. Arrows must have
and all tributaries for ½ mile upstream a barbed or retractable style point that
GIGGING and SNAGGING FISH of their confluence with the Cumber- has a line attached for retrieval. Catfish
(301 KAR 1:410, 1:082; KRS 150.010) land River. have a daily creel limit of 5 (in aggregate)
Gigging means spearing or impal- • Within 200 yards of a dam, except be- and paddlefish have a daily creel limit of
ing fish on any pronged or barbed in- low Kentucky Dam. 2. There is no limit on other rough fish.
strument attached to the end of any rig- • Cumberland River, below Barkley Dam Bow fisherman may fish within 200 yards
id object. Snagging means taking fish or downstream to the U.S. 62 bridge. of a dam, except by boat in boat restricted
other aquatic animals by a rapid drawing • Tennessee River, below Kentucky Dam areas. Bow fishing is prohibited on the
motion (rather than enticement by bait) from the new U.S. 62 bridge to I-24 Cumberland River below Wolf Creek
using a hand-held rod and attached line bridge. Dam downstream to the Tennessee line,
with one single treble hook. Except, in • Middle Fork of Kentucky River from including Hatchery Creek and all tribu-
Green River, Rolling Fork River and Buckhorn Lake downstream to the taries for ½ mile upstream of their con-
their tributaries, up to five single or five Breathitt County line. fluence with the Cumberland River.
treble hooks may be used for snagging. A • Rough River, below Rough River Dam Persons using a bow and arrow for
rod legal for snagging must be equipped to KY 54 bridge fishing must have the appropriate fish-
with line, guides and a reel. • In the Tennessee River below Ken- ing license and may take rough fish from
The statewide season for gigging tucky Dam, gigging prohibited year- bank or boat. Bow anglers cannot sell
and/or snagging rough fish is from Feb- round. paddlefish or their roe taken by bow
ruary 1 through May 10. It is illegal to For special regulations concerning and arrow. Paddlefish and catfish taken
possess a gig on a stream or lake or in a gigging and snagging in the Cumber- by bow and arrow must be taken into
boat from November 1 through January land River below Barkley Dam and in immediate possession and cannot be
31. A person may gig or snag fish from the the Tennessee River below Kentucky culled. Fish taken by bow must not be
bank of a stream during the day or night. Lake refer to Special Regulations on discarded on the bank. Bank disposal is
Gigging and snagging is not legal from a pages 6 and 9 of this guide. littering and subject to a fine.
platform or boat, except that gigging is le-
gal from a boat on lakes 500 surface acres TICKLING and NOODLING SPEAR FISHING
or larger and only during daylight hours. (301 KAR 1:410; KRS 150.010) (301 KAR 1:410)
There is a statewide limit of 2 pad- The tickling and noodling (hand Underwater spearing of rough fish
dlefish for either gigging or snagging grabbing) season for rough fish is June with hand-held or mechanically propelled
(except for the Tennessee River below 1 through August 31, during daylight spear is permitted year-round, but only in
Kentucky Lake and the Cumberland hours only. Tickling and noodling lakes having 1,000 surface acres or more.
River below Lake Barkley). All gigged means taking fish directly by hand, or All participants in this sport must be sub-
or snagged paddlefish must be taken with the aid of a handled hook. These merged while spear fishing. Only rough
into possession and cannot be culled or methods are permitted in all waters. The fish may be taken and the appropriate
released. Anglers must cease gigging or daily creel limit is 15 rough fish, no more fishing license is required. The daily limit
snagging once they attain the 2 paddle- than 5 of which can be catfish. Only one is 15 fish of which only 5 may be catfish.
11FISHING REGULATIONS LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES
LICENSE / PERMIT Resident Nonresident
Annual Fishing $23 $55
Joint Married Couple Annual Fishing $42 Not available
1-Day Fishing $7 $15
3-Year Fishing (available online at fw.ky.gov only) $55 Not available
Nonresident 7-Day Fishing Not available $35
Trout Permit $10
LICENSES
Annual Hunting $27 $150
1-Day Hunting (not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear) $7 $25
7-Day Hunting (not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear) Not available $65
Annual Youth Hunting (ages 12-15 only) $6 $10
Shooting Area License (available online at fw.ky.gov only) $5
Annual Trapping $20 $130
Annual Landowner/Tenant Trapping $10 Not available
Annual Youth (ages 12-15) Trapping $5 Not available
Annual Combination Hunting/Fishing $42 Not available
Senior/Disabled Sportsman’s License* (includes same license and permits
$12 Not available
as Resident Sportsman’s License, plus additional deer permits.)
COMBOS
Sportsman’s License* (Includes combination hunting/fishing, statewide deer
permit, spring and fall turkey permits, state migratory game bird-waterfowl $95 Not available
permit and trout permit.)
Youth (ages 12-15) Sportsman’s License* (Includes youth hunting license,
$30 Not available
youth deer permit and 2 youth turkey permits.)
Statewide Deer Permit (four deer) $35 $185
DEER
Youth (ages 12-15) Deer Permit (four deer) $10 $15
Additional Deer Permit (two deer) $15
Spring Turkey Permit (statewide) (two turkeys) $30 $85
Youth (ages 12-15) Turkey Permit (one turkey, spring or fall) $10 $15
BIRDS
Fall Turkey Permit (statewide)(four turkeys) $30 $85
Migratory Bird–Waterfowl Permit $15
Federal Duck Stamp (available at post offices and online at www.duckstamp.com) $25
Pheasant Quota Hunt Permit (if drawn) $25
Elk Drawing Application (deadline April 30; available online at fw.ky.gov only) $10
Youth WMA Elk Drawing Application (deadline April 30; available at fw.ky.gov only) $10
Quota Bull Elk Permit (if drawn; available online at fw.ky.gov only) $100 $550
ELK
Quota Cow Elk Permit (if drawn; available online at fw.ky.gov only) $60 $400
Youth Elk Permit (if drawn; available online at fw.ky.gov only) $30 $200
Out-of-Zone Elk Permit (Nonresident available online at fw.ky.gov only) $30 $400
Bear Permit $30 $250
BEAR
Youth Bear Permit $10 Not available
Bear Chase Permit $30 Not available
Youth Bear Chase Permit $10 Not available
Peabody WMA User Permit $15
Land Between The Lakes (LBL) Hunter Use Permit $25, or $35 with Backcountry Camping
AREAS
Otter Creek ORA Admission Fees (per person) Daily: $3, annual: $30,
(available online at fw.ky.gov) children under 12: free.
Otter Creek ORA Special Activity Fees (per person, for use of horse trails,
Daily: $7, annual: $70
mountain bike trails and shooting range) (available online at fw.ky.gov)
Temporary Hunter Education Exemption Permit (Hunter Apprentice
OTHER
$5
Opportunity; available online at fw.ky.gov only)
Habitat Improvement and Public Access Donation (voluntary; available at fw.ky.gov only) Any amount
*Peabody, LBL and Otter Creek permits, elk drawing application, elk quota hunt permit, out-of-zone elk permit, bear permit,
federal duck stamp and trapping license not included. An additional deer permit is not included with a Sportsman’s License.
Kentucky’s license year begins March 1 and continues through the last day of February. New licenses are required annually,
except for the 3-year fishing license. A 1-day or 7-day hunting license is valid only for the period shown on license. Resident and
nonresident youths under the age of 12 are not required to purchase licenses or permits (except the elk drawing application).
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