FISHING & BOATING GUIDE

MARCH 2015 - FEBRUARY 2016

FISH & WILDLIFE: 1-800-858-1549 • fw.ky.gov Gregory K. Johnson, Commissioner Report Game Violations and Fish Kills: 1-800-25-ALERT Photo © Lee McClellan KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601

March 2015 - February 2016

KENTUCKY FISHING & BOATING GUIDE

Dave Baker photo

ABOUT THIS GUIDE This is a SUMMARY of the laws regard- FISHING REGULATIONS ing fishing and boating. This guide is 3 intended solely for informational use. It is not a reprint of any referenced statute or regulation in its entirety and should 16 GENERAL INFORMATION not be used as such. Questions about the information contained in this guide should be directed to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources BEFORE 23 TROUT WATERS engaging in the activities referenced. Actual wording of any Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) or Kentucky Administra- tive Regulation (KAR) can be viewed at 27 TROPHY FISH www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/frntpage.htm. OTHER GUIDES AVAILABLE 30 BOATING Kentucky Fish and Wildlife also produces regulation guides for spring and fall hunt- ing and trapping, waterfowl and other mi- gratory bird hunting. Call 1-800-858-1549 38 DEFINITIONS & INDEX weekdays, look for a copy of these regula- tion guides where hunting licenses are sold, or log on to fw.ky.gov. 1 NEW THIS YEAR FISHING REGULATIONS Commonwealth of Kentucky The items highlighted in bright blue artificial baits may be used during this Steven L. Beshear, Governor throughout this guide are a quick overview period. of the changes to this year’s regulations. • Hatchery Creek (Russell County): FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION Catch and release regulations for all FISHING 1st District: Terry Teitloff, Smithland trout caught in newly constructed 2nd District: C.F. “Frank” Williams, Madisonville • No culling of trout statewide. Cull- section as designated by signs. Anglers 3rd District: Russell J. Gailor, Louisville ing is holding a trout in a livewell, fish may only use artificial baits. Antici- 4th District: vacant 5th District: Jimmy Bevins, Owenton basket or stringer and later replacing it pated completion in 2015. 6th District: Stephen Glenn, Frankfort with another fish. • Kentucky River WMA, Boone Tract 7th District: Voncel Thacker, Hindman • No harvest of alligator gar by sport (Henry County), Benjy Kinman Lake: 8th District: Robert L. “Bob” Wells, Morehead fishing methods or by bow fishing. No harvest of bass; 15 fish daily creel 9th District: Christopher Lee Godby, Somerset Commissioner Emeritus: Dr. James R. Rich, Taylor Mill • Ohio River: Anglers fishing on a sport limit for crappie and sunfish; 4 fish dai- fishing license may keep one blue and ly creel limit for catfish; trolling motor Department of flathead catfish 35 inches or longer and only. All other ponds on Boone Tract: FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES one channel catfish 28 inches or longer 1 fish daily creel limit and 15-inch Commissioner: Gregory K. Johnson daily. No daily creel limit for catfish minimum size limit for largemouth Deputy Commissioner: Charles Bush under those limits. bass; 15 fish daily creel limit for crappie Deputy Commissioner: Dr. Karen Waldrop Wildlife Director: Chris Garland (acting) • Floyd’s Fork Creek ( Jefferson County): and sunfish; 4 fish daily creel limit for Fisheries Director: Ron Brooks From the U.S. 60 Bridge downstream catfish; trolling motor only. Law Enforcement Director: Hank Patton to the U.S. 150 Bridge, all trout caught • The Maysville-Mason County Recre- Information & Education Director: Tim Slone from October 1 through March 31 ation Park Lake added to the Fishing Administrative Services Director: Charles Booker Engineering Director: Keith Parker must be immediately released and only in Neighborhoods (FINs) program. Public Affairs Director: Brian V. Blank

FISHING & BOATING GUIDE Editor: Lee McClellan Kentucky Department of Fish and Art/Design Director: Adrienne Yancy Contributors: Dane Balsman, Ron Brooks, Zac Wildlife Resources Campbell, Shane Carrier, Dave Dreves, Mike Hardin and Jeff Ross Who We Are Commission, a nine-member citizens Created as the Kentucky Game and board selected by licensed hunters, boat- Fish Commission on March 12, 1912, the ers and anglers, and appointed by the agency known today as the Kentucky De- Governor, meets quarterly in Frankfort to partment of Fish and Wildlife Resources make policy decisions. With input from was established in its present form by the the agency’s director, program adminis- Kentucky General Assembly in 1944. An trators and staff biologists, the Commis- agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage sion adopts regulations that must meet Cabinet, the department today has about with the approval of the Kentucky Gen- 500 full-time employees. eral Assembly. Lee McClellan photo What We Do Our Budget Landowner permission required for hunting and fishing Through the decades the department’s Revenue sources are: hunting and A person shall not enter upon the lands role has expanded to include managing fishing licenses (51%); boat registration of another to hunt, fish or trap without both game and non-game fish and wildlife fees (7%); federal program funds (34%); the oral or written permission of the resources, creating regulations, enforcing program income (3%); interest income, tax landowner, tenant or person who has au- wildlife and boating laws, hatching, rear- check-off donations, and other miscella- thority to grant permission. Those who ing and stocking fish, assisting landowners neous receipts (5%). fail to obtain permission are subject to with fish and wildlife habitat improvement, Budgeted expenditures are: capital arrest and prosecution. Railroad tracks educating youth about the importance of projects and land acquisitions (4%), admin- and rights of way are privately owned fish and wildlife and their habitats, stream istration (11%), wildlife (28%), fisheries property and permission to hunt, fish restoration, passing on the heritage of ar- (18%), information and education (12%), or trap must be obtained prior to entry. chery and shooting sports, buying land for and law enforcement (27%). (KRS 150:192) public use, and building boat ramps for an- The department receives no tax dollars gler access to the state’s public waterways. from the state’s General Fund, and man- 2 The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife ages fish and wildlife for all citizens. 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. Fish not included in this list are considered rough fish. There are no size or creel limits for rough fish, unless 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” Smallmouth Bass 6* 12* 12” 6* 12* none

BASS Kentucky (Spotted) Bass BLACK Coosa Bass 6* 12* none Rock Bass 15 30 none Redear Sunfish 20 40 none 15” on walleye and Walleye, Sauger and their Hybrids 6* 12* hybrids; none on sauger 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 30 60 none Crappie (Black & White) 30* 60* none Rainbow Trout none Daily limit 8, only 3 may be brown trout*** Brown Trout 12” 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. *** Possession limit is double the daily creel limit for these species. **** Except for the downstream of Wolf Creek Dam, 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 How is a daily creel limit all Kentucky waters, public and private, with fish laid flat on rule with tail lobes Q: 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 SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS

(301 KAR 1:080, 1:180, 1:201, 2:222 nium Park Pond (Boyle County), Pan- through March 31 in the section of Bea- 4:100, 4:200E; KRS 150.010, 150.025) ther Creek Park Lake, (Daviess Coun- ver Creek from the Hwy. 90 bridge up- ty), Prisoner’s Lake (Kenton County), stream to the Hwy. 200 bridge must be SPECIAL REGULATION WATERS Scott County Park Lake (Scott Coun- immediately released. Only artificial LISTED ALPHABETICALLY ty), Southgate Lake (Campbell Coun- baits shall be used during this period. The public waters listed below have ty), Three Springs Lake (Warren different size and/or creel limits than County), Tom Wallace Park Lake ( Jef- statewide regulations allow. Statewide ferson County), Upper Sportsman’s Lake Anderson County size and creel limits apply unless other- (Franklin County), Watterson Park Lake Possession or use of shad for bait is wise mentioned below. Special boating ( Jefferson County), Waverly Park Lake prohibited. regulations are listed in the Boating sec- ( Jefferson County), Waymond Mor- • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum tion of this guide. ris Park Lake (Daviess County), White- size limit. Some privately owned waters may hall Park Lake (Madison County), Yel- • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum have special size and creel limits as post- low Creek Park Lake (Daviess County) size limit. ed by signs. A.J. JOLLY LAKE BENJY KINMAN LAKE – see Ken- FINs LAKES: Campbell County tucky River WMA Boone Tract Lakes in the Fishing In Neighbor- No harvest of flathead catfish. hoods (FINs) program now have uni- BERT COMBS LAKE form regulations for daily creel and size BARK CAMP CREEK Clay County limits: Whitley County Possession or use of shad for bait is • Rainbow Trout: 5-fish daily limit. All trout caught from October 1 prohibited. • Catfish: 4-fish daily limit. through March 31 must be immediately • Sunfish: 15-fish daily limit. released and only artificial baits shall be BESHEAR LAKE • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum used during this period. Caldwell County FISHING REGULATIONS size limit, 1 fish daily limit. • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum The follwing FINs lakes are now BARKLEY, KENTUCKY LAKES size limit. under these special regulations: (and their connecting canal) Alexandria Community Park Lake • Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, (Campbell County), Anderson Coun- 20 fish daily creel limit. ty Community Park Lake (Anderson • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: NEED A PLACE TO FISH? County), Bloomfield Park Lake (Nel- 15-inch minimum size limit. Find new fishing information son County), Bob Noble Park Lake • Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit. on Kentucky waterbodies by (McCracken County), Brickyard Pond visiting . Click on the (Knox County), Camp Ernst TAILWATER – See Cum- fw.ky.gov “Fish” tab, then on “Where (Boone County), Carlson and Dicker- berland River to Fish.” Anglers may search son Lakes (Ft. Knox, Meade County), lakes, rivers and creeks for boat Cherokee Park Lake ( Jefferson Coun- ramps and access points, what ty), Easy Walker Park Pond (Montgom- The boundaries of Barren Riv- species are available and maps ery County), Fisherman’s Park Lakes er Lake are from the dam upstream to of how to get there plus other ( Jefferson County), Jacobson Park Lake the Hwy. 100 bridge, Long Creek to useful information. (Fayette County), James D. Beville Park the Hwy. 100 bridge, Beaver Creek to Lake (Grayson County), Kingdom the Hwy. 1297 bridge, Skaggs Creek Also under the “Where to Fish” Come State Park Lake (Harlan Coun- to the Matthews Mill Road bridge and tab is the 2015 Fishing Forecast. ty), Lake Mingo ( Jessamine County), Peter Creek to the Peter Creek Road This report details the anticipated Lake Pollywog (Grant County), Low- bridge. fishing success for each species er Sportman’s Lake (Franklin County), • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. in major waterbodies based on Lusby Lake (Scott County), Madison- • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: population samples conducted by ville City Park Lakes (Hopkins County), 15-inch minimum size limit except 1 KDFWR fisheries biologists. Martin County Lake (Martin County), fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the Although the VPA program is Maysville-Mason County Recreation possession limit may be less than 15 now in a reduced capacity, many Park Lake (Mason County), Middle- inches long. sites remain open to public use. ton Mills Long Pond and Shelterhouse Check the Kentucky Fish and Ponds (Kenton County), Mike Mill- BEAVER CREEK Wildlife website at er Park Lake (Marshall County), Miles Wayne County fw.ky.gov. 4 Park Lakes ( Jefferson County), Millen- All trout caught from October 1 FISHING REGULATIONS BIG BONE CREEK • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum Boone County Did you know? size limit. All trout caught from October 1 Camping is prohibited on KDFWR through March 31 must be immediately owned or managed lakes. NATIONAL released and only artificial baits shall be HISTORICAL PARK used during this period. (301 KAR 1:035) bass caught between 12 and 15 inch- Special fishing regulations are in es in length must be immediately re- effect on Cumberland Gap Nation- Grant County leased; 6 fish daily creel limit, only 1 al Historical Park. For complete fishing Possession or use of shad for bait is fish may be longer than 15 inches. information on this area contact: Cum- prohibited. berland Gap National Historical Park, • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum CASEY CREEK P.O. Box 1848, Middlesboro, KY 40965, size limit. Trigg County phone (606) 248-2817. All trout caught from October 1 BRIGGS LAKE through March 31 must be immediately CUMBERLAND RIVER from Wolf Logan County released and only artificial baits shall be Creek Dam to the Tennessee state Possession or use of shad for bait is used during this period. line: prohibited. All licensed anglers must possess a trout permit on this portion of Cumber- Gigging and snagging prohibited land River. This includes Hatchery Creek • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: in the main lake and all tributaries up and all tributaries up to the first riffle. 15-inch minimum size limit. to the first riffle. The location of the first Anglers shall not cull trout by re- • Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size riffle may change depending on water placing a live trout in their posses- limit. levels. sion with another trout. Once an an- • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. • Largemouth Bass: 13 to 16-inch gler holds a trout in their possession on protective slot limit. All large- this section of the Cumberland Riv- mouth bass caught between 13 and er, it counts toward the daily trout creel Grant and Boone counties 16 inches in length must be released limit. Anglers may not attract or chum • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum immediately. trout with bait, corn or other attractants size limit. • Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum designed to draw numbers of trout to a size limit. specific area. This includes all tributar- CANE CREEK • Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size ies up to the first riffle and in Hatch- Laurel County limit. ery Creek. All trout caught from October 1 • Brown Trout: 20-inch minimum size through March 31 must be immediately CEDAR CREEK LAKE limit, 1 fish daily creel limit, also ap- released and only artificial baits shall be Lincoln County plies to all tributary streams. used during this period. Possession or use of shad for bait is • Rainbow Trout: 15 to 20-inch pro- prohibited. tective slot limit. All trout caught be- CARNICO LAKE • Largemouth Bass: 20-inch minimum tween 15 and 20 inches in length Nicholas County size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit. must be immediately released. Five • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum fish daily limit, only one rainbow size limit. size limit. CARPENTER LAKE CHIMNEY TOP CREEK Q: Is fishing allowed around a Daviess County Wolfe County dock or a marina? Possession or use of shad for bait is A 16-inch minimum size limit and prohibited. 1 fish daily creel limit for brown trout A: It depends. Public marinas and only artificial baits may be used. on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lakes have contractual agreements • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. CLEAR CREEK that address lease space on public • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Bell County waters. The Corps presently allows 15-inch minimum size limit. All trout caught from October 1 the marina owners or operators to through March 31 shall be immediate- post signs that prohibit fishing with- CARTER CAVES STATE PARK LAKE ly released and only artificial baits may in 150 feet of their floating struc- (also called Smoky Valley Lake) be used during this period. tures. These agreements do not pro- Fishing during daylight hours only. hibit a person from fishing in their Possession or use of shad for bait is CORINTH LAKE boat rental slip. This policy does not prohibited. Grant County apply to privately owned boat docks • Largemouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch Possession or use of shad for bait is on Corps lakes. protective slot limit. All largemouth prohibited. 5 trout may be longer than 20 inches. Possession or use of shad for bait is ELK SPRING CREEK Also applies to all tributary streams. prohibited. Wayne County • Brook Trout: 1 fish daily creel lim- • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum All trout caught from October 1 it with a 15-inch minimum size limit. size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. through March 31 must be immediately Also applies to all tributary streams. • Channel Catfish: Four fish daily creel released and only artificial baits shall be limit, no minimum size limit. used during this period. CUMBERLAND RIVER from Lake Barkley Dam downstream to conflu- DOG FORK ence with Ohio River Wolfe County Owen County Gigging and snagging only permit- Only artificial baits with a single Possession or use of shad for bait is ted downstream of U.S. 62 bridge with a hook shall be used. Brook trout must be prohibited. daily creel limit of 8 fish. Harvesting of immediately released. • Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch pro- sportfish by snagging is prohibited. All tective slot limit. All largemouth bass EAST FORK INDIAN CREEK snagged or gigged rough fish including caught between 12 and 15 inches in Menifee County paddlefish, with the exception of shad, length must be immediately released. herring or Asian carp, shall be taken into All trout caught from October 1 • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum possession and not be culled. Snagged or through March 31 shall be immediately size limit. gigged fish must not be disposed of on released and only artificial baits shall be the bank. Disposing of fish on the bank used during this period. FAGAN BRANCH LAKE (also called is littering and subject to a fine. See the Lebanon City Lake) gigging and snagging section on page 11 ELKHORN CREEK in Franklin Marion County County from confluence of North of this guide for additional information. • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: and South forks downstream to Snagged paddlefish or their roe cannot 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. Kentucky River: be sold. All largemouth and smallmouth bass • Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit. • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: caught between 12 and 15 inches in 12 to 16-inch protective slot lim- length must be released immediately. DALE HOLLOW LAKE it. Largemouth and smallmouth bass • Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, caught between 12 and 16 inches in 15 fish daily creel limit. length must be immediately released. • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: FISHING REGULATIONS • Black Bass creel: includes largemouth, Daily limit of 6 may include no more 15-inch minimum size limit. smallmouth and Kentucky (spotted) than 2 fish longer than 16 inches. • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. bass – 5 fish daily creel limit on black • For regulatory purposes, the bound- • Blue and Channel Catfish: 15 fish bass singly or combined, only two of ary of Elkhorn Creek is a permanent daily creel limit, only 1 fish in the dai- which may be smallmouth bass. marker just below the first riffle up- ly creel limit may be longer than 25 • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum stream from its confluence with the inches. size limit. Kentucky River. • Smallmouth Bass: 16 to 21-inch pro- tective slot limit. One fish over 21 inches and one fish under 16 inches Kentucky’s may be kept daily. largest • Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit, HAVE YOU 10 fish daily creel limit. salamander: • Rainbow and Brown Trout: 7-fish Eastern aggregate daily creel limit. • Walleye: 16-inch minimum size limit, SEEN ME? Hellbender 5 fish daily creel limit. Can grow up to 24” long • Completely aquatic • Not aggressive or poisonous • Long lived (up to 30 yrs.) • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is 15-inch minimum size limit. very interested in all locality • Blue and Channel Catfish: 15 fish records for the eastern daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be hellbender. If you see this longer than 25 inches. giant salamander, please e-mail John MacGregor DIX RIVER from ([email protected]) Dam downstream for two miles or Danna Baxley Fishing with artificial lures or flies only. ([email protected]) with locality information and a DOE RUN LAKE photograph, if possible. 6 Kenton County FISHING REGULATIONS FLOYD’S FORK KENTUCKY, BARKLEY LAKES on the Cumberland River, Devils Jump Jefferson County (and their connecting canal) on the Big South Fork, the Narrows of • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: • Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, Rockcastle River and From U.S. 60 Bridge downstream to 20 fish daily creel limit. Dam on Laurel River. U.S. 150 Bridge, 15-inch minimum • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: • Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit. size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit. 15-inch minimum size limit. • Lake Sturgeon: Catch and release only. • Rainbow Trout: From U.S. 60 bridge • Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit. • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum downstream to U.S. 150 bridge, all size limit. trout caught from Oct. 1 through TAILWATER – • Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum Mar. 31 must be immediately released. see Tennessee River size limit. • Striped Bass: 22-inch minimum size GENERAL BUTLER STATE PARK KENTUCKY RIVER WMA BOONE limit, 2 fish daily creel limit. LAKE TRACT, Henry County Carroll County Benjy Kinman Lake: LAKE JERICHO Henry County Possession or use of shad for bait is • Largemouth Bass: No harvest. prohibited. • Crappie and Sunfish: 15 fish daily Possession or use of shad for bait is • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum creel limit. prohibited. size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. • Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit. • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum • Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel • Trolling motor only. size limit. limit, no minimum size limit. All other ponds: • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum GOLDEN POND (Land Between The size limit; 1 fish daily creel limit. • Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch pro- Lakes National Recreation Area) • Crappie and Sunfish: 15 fish daily tective slot limit. All largemouth bass • Channel Catfish: 15-inch minimum creel limit. caught between 12 and 15 inches in size limit, 5 fish daily creel limit. • Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit. length must be immediately released. • Trolling motor only. • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum * Please observe buoy restrictions and size limit. • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: signage. LAKE SHELBY 15-inch minimum size limit. Shelby County Pendleton County • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum Greenup County • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. Possession or use of shad for bait is size limit. • Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel prohibited. limit, no minimum size limit. • Bluegill and other Sunfish: 15 fish LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES LAUREL RIVER LAKE daily creel limit. NATIONAL RECREATION AREA • Areas marked by signage and buoys (301 KAR 1:031) • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum near the Jesse Stuart Lodge are peri- Special fishing regulations are in size limit. odically closed to fishing. effect for ponds and small lakes within • Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum Land Between The Lakes National Rec- size limit, 2 fish daily creel limit. reation Area. For complete fishing in- • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit, • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. formation on this area, anglers should 15 fish daily creel limit. • Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size contact: Land Between The Lakes Na- LEARY LAKE limit. tional Recreation Area, Golden Pond, Grant County KY 42231, phone (270) 924-2000. Fishing during daylight hours only. Shelby County LAKE BLYTHE • Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum Christian County limit. size limit. • Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch pro- • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum tective slot limit. All largemouth bass size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. HATCHERY CREEK (lower section) caught between 12 and 15 inches in LEBANON CITY LAKE – see Fagan Russell County length must be immediately released. Branch Lake • Brook, Rainbow and Brown Trout: Catch and release only for all trout LAKE CHUMLEY LEFT FORK, BEAVER CREEK in newly constructed lower section. Lincoln County Floyd County Only artificial baits may be used. An- Fishing during daylight hours only. ticipated completion in 2015. Upper All trout caught from October 1 section of Hatchery Creek as desig- through March 31 must be immediately nated by signs open under Cumber- The boundaries of Lake Cumber- released and only artificial baits shall be land River trout regulations. land are defined as used during this period. 7 LINCOLN HOMESTEAD STATE Waters” page 15 PEABODY WMA LAKES PARK LAKE • Walleye, Sauger and their Hybrids: In addition to a fishing license, a Washington County No minimum size limit, 10 fish daily $15.00 user permit is required of per- Fishing during daylight hours only. creel limit, singly or combined. sons age 16 and over while on Peabody Possession or use of shad for bait is • White Bass, Striped Bass and their WMA. Permits can be purchased where prohibited. Hybrids: 30 fish daily creel limit, only fishing licenses are sold. Fishing open • Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel 4 fish may be 15 inches or longer. Mar. 16 - Oct. 14 on Goose, Island and limit, no minimum size limit. • Blue, Channel and Flathead Catfish: South Lake, all other lakes open year- • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum Anglers may keep one blue or flat- round. size limit; 3 fish daily creel limit. head catfish 35 inches or longer and one channel catfish 28 inches or lon- PENNYRILE LAKE MARION COUNTY LAKE ger daily. No daily creel limit on cat- Christian County Possession or use of shad for bait is fish under those limits. • Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch prohibited. protective slot limit. All largemouth • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum OTTER CREEK bass caught between 12 and 15 size limit. Meade County inches in length must be immediate- • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: ly released. McNEELY LAKE 12- to 16-inch protective slot limit. Jefferson County All largemouth and smallmouth bass PIKEVILLE CITY LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is caught between 12 and 16 inches in Pike County prohibited. length must be immediately released; • Largemouth Bass: All largemouth • Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch 6 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may bass caught must be immediately minimum size limit. be longer than 16 inches. released. All trout caught in Fort Knox Mil- MIDDLE FORK, RED RIVER itary Reservation and in Otter Creek POOR FORK and its tributaries Powell County Park from Oct. 1 through Mar. 31 must Letcher County Within the Natural Bridge State be immediately released and only artifi- Downstream to the first crossing of Park, all trout caught from October 1 cial baits shall be used during this period. Hwy. 932, only artificial baits with single through March 31 must be immediately Fort Knox Military Reservation requires hook shall be used. Brook trout must be FISHING REGULATIONS released and only artificial baits shall be the purchase of a $10 permit to fish and immediately released. used during this period. is closed to fishing on Tuesdays. Anglers must check-in with the Fort Knox Hunt REBA LAKE MILL CREEK LAKE Control Office at (502) 624-2712 be- Madison County Powell and Wolfe counties fore each day’s fishing. There is a one- Possession or use of shad for bait is Possession or use of shad for bait is mile section of Otter Creek as posted by prohibited. prohibited. signs in Fort Knox Military Reservation • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum where trout fishing is open to statewide 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish size limit; 3 fish daily creel limit. regulations. daily creel limit. • Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch NEW HAVEN OPTIMIST LAKE PAINT CREEK minimum size limit. Nelson County Johnson County • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum 16-inch minimum size limit and 1 REFORMATORY LAKE size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. fish daily creel limit on trout from the Oldham County • Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel KY 40 bridge downstream to the first • Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch limit, no minimum size limit. U.S. 460 bridge crossing and only arti- minimum size limit. ficial baits shall be used. ROCK CREEK Lake upper boundary extended to McCreary County the Wheelers Mill Road bridge in the • Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch pro- From Bell Farm Bridge upstream Nolin River arm and to the Hwy. 728 tective slot limit. All largemouth bass to Tennessee state line, all trout caught bridge in the Bacon Creek arm (former- caught between 12 and 15 inches in from October 1 through March 31 ly defined as first riffle upstream in Ba- length must be released immediately. must be immediately released and only con Creek and Nolin River). • Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum artificial baits shall be used during this • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. size limit. period. • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch size limit, except 1 fish in the PARCHED CORN CREEK daily limit or 2 in the possession limit Wolfe County • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. may be less than 15 inches long. Only artificial baits with single • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: hook shall be used. Brook trout must be 15-inch minimum size limit except 1 8 OHIO RIVER – see also, “Bordering immediately released. fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the FISHING REGULATIONS possession limit may be less than 15 diately and only artificial baits shall be round. There is now a daily creel limit inches long. used during this period. of 8 fish in aggregate and shall not ex- ceed the daily creel limit for any sport SHANTY HOLLOW LAKE SYMPSON LAKE fish in which the creel limit is under 8 Warren County Nelson County fish per day. Snagging must cease if any Possession or use of shad for bait is • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum sport fish daily creel limit is attained. All prohibited. size limit. fish snagged including paddlefish, ex- • Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum cept shad, herring or Asian carp, must size limit. be taken into possession and not culled. • Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum Lake upper boundary extended to Snagged fish must not be disposed on size limit. Dry Dock Road on Salt River (former- the bank. This action is littering and ly defined as first riffle upstream in Salt subject to a fine. Snagged paddlefish or SHILLALAH CREEK River). their roe cannot be sold. Gigging is pro- Bell County • Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit, hibited in the Tennessee River below Outside the Cumberland Gap Na- 15 fish daily creel limit. Kentucky Dam. See the Gigging and tional Park as posted, only artificial baits • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Snagging section on page 11 for more with single hook shall be used. Brook 15-inch minimum size limit. information. trout must be immediately released. • Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish • Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit. daily creel limit. Only 1 fish of the SPORTSMAN’S LAKES daily creel limit may be longer than TRAMMEL CREEK Franklin County 25 inches. Allen County Fishing during daylight hours only. All trout caught from October 1 Possession or use of shad for bait is TENNESSEE RIVER from Ken- through March 31 must be immediately prohibited. See FINs lakes at the begin- tucky Lake Dam downstream to released and only artificial baits shall be ning of the special regulations section confluence with Ohio River used during this period. for daily creel and minimum size limits. The area from Kentucky Dam to • Brown Trout: 16-inch minimum size the new U.S. 62 bridge will be open to limit, 1 fish daily creel limit. SPURLINGTON LAKE snagging 24 hours per day from January Taylor County 1 through May 31. From June 1 through Possession or use of shad for bait is December 31, the area is open to snag- Laurel County prohibited. ging from sunset to sunrise. The area of • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: the Tennessee River from the new U.S. 15-inch minimum size limit. SWIFT CAMP CREEK 62 bridge to the I-24 bridge is closed Clifty Wilderness, Wolfe County to snagging year round. The area from YATESVILLE LAKE All trout caught from October 1 the I-24 bridge to the confluence with • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: through May 31 shall be released imme- the Ohio River is open to snagging year 15-inch minimum size limit.

OTHER SPECIES

BULLFROGS Anglers may take snapping turtles species (except soft shelled and snapping (301 KAR 1:082) (except alligator snapping turtles) and turtles) caught in a turtle trap must be The taking season for bullfrogs softshell turtles year round by the same released unharmed. opens at noon on the third Friday in methods legal for taking rough fish spe- May (May 15, 2015) and runs through cies. Commercial fishing gear may not be GRASS CARP HARVEST Oct. 31. If a gun or bow and arrow are used to take turtles. A hunting license is PROHIBITED used, a hunting license is required. If required when taking turtles by gun or by (301 KAR 1:201) frogs are taken by pole and line, a fishing bow and arrow. Otherwise a fishing li- Harvesting grass carp is prohib- license is required. If frogs are taken by cense is required. Turtles can not be sold. ited in any lake owned or managed by gig or by hand, then either hunting or Turtle traps may be one of two the Kentucky Department of Fish and fishing license is valid. The daily noon- kinds: either a barrel or drum with a tilt- Wildlife Resources. Anglers who catch to-noon creel limit for bullfrogs is 15. ing trigger board or a floating log raft a grass carp from one of these lakes must The possession limit is 30. with an enclosed twine or wire mesh immediately return the fish to the water bag. Turtle traps must be inspected daily. where it was caught. Grass carp are used TURTLES All turtles must be removed daily except to control aquatic vegetation. Signs are (301 KAR 1:058) one decoy turtle may remain. Any other posted at applicable lakes. 9 LIVE BAIT FOR PERSONAL USE the waters from which they were col- River below Barkley Dam, Kentucky (301 KAR 1:130, 1:122) lected. A commercial license is required River below Lock No. 14, and all lakes No live fish, live bait fish or live to take live bait from public waters open having 1,000 or more surface acres. bait organisms that are not native or to commercial fishing for the purpose of • Minnow Traps: Maximum legal size established in Kentucky waters shall be selling. statewide: 3 feet long, 18 inches in di- bought, sold, possessed, imported, or in Regardless of size or how ob- ameter, 1-inch openings for catching. any way used or released into waters of tained, it is illegal to use any sport fish • Seines: Maximum legal size statewide: this Commonwealth. Blueback herring for bait (except redear sunfish less than 10 feet long, 4 feet deep, ¼-inch mesh. are not native to Kentucky and may not 6 inches long). (Sport fish species listed Maximum legal size in the Ohio and be imported or possessed in this state. on page 3). Live bait fishes are defined Mississippi rivers and Kentucky and Holders of sport fishing licenses as rough fish except blackside dace, Barkley lakes: 30 feet long, 6 feet deep may take live bait from public waters palezone shiner, Cumberland darter, and ¼-inch bar mesh. and may possess up to 500 live bait relict darter, tuxedo darter and redear • Sport Cast Nets: Maximum sport cast fishes which include shad (except on sunfish less than 6 inches long. Also, net size is 20 feet in diameter with lakes where possession or use of shad is see page 21 for a description of these maximum 1-inch bar mesh statewide prohibited) and herring, 500 crayfish, 25 protected fish species. Bluegills are not except in the following waters. Sport spring lizards or dusky salamanders, 5 sport fish and may be taken for bait as cast nets prohibited in: 1) lakes hav- frogs (other than bullfrogs), 5 tadpoles, described above. ing fewer than 500 surface acres, 2) 100 native lampreys, 500 other aquatic Live bait may be taken with the fol- Hatchery Creek in Russell County. invertebrate organisms other than mus- lowing gear: All sport fish incidentally taken while sels, and any number of unshelled Asi- • Dip Nets: Maximum size of 3 feet in capturing live bait with seines, dip nets atic clams. Live wild caught Asian carp, diameter is legal in the Ohio, Tennes- or cast nets must be released immedi- herring and shad may only be used in see and Mississippi rivers, Cumberland ately unharmed into the water.

KNOW YOUR TURTLES! FISHING REGULATIONS

COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE Legal to take Illegal to take

FISHING METHODS

18 inches apart. A sport fishing trotline may not use more than 50 jug lines, but No firearms must be set at least three feet below the each occupant may use two sportfish- water’s surface. Jugging is fishing with a ing trotlines or 25 set lines. Each sport Fish may not be taken with use of single baited line attached to any float- fishing trotline, jug line or set line must a firearm. ing object. A jug line may have no more than one single or multi-barbed hook. A set line is a line with one single or multi Q: What is legal equipment for SPORT FISHING TROTLINES, barbed hook. It may be attached to a tree sport fish? JUGGING and SET LINES (LIMB limb, tree trunk, bank pole or other sta- LINES) tionary object on the bank of a stream or A: Anglers may legally take (301 KAR 1:410; KRS 150.010) impoundment. fish by hook and line in hand, rod A sport fishing trotline is a line One person may use no more than in hand, jugging, setline or sport fishing trotline. with no more than 50 single or multi- two sport fishing trotlines or 50 jug lines 10 barbed baited hooks that must be at least or 25 set lines at any one time. Each boat FISHING REGULATIONS be: 1) permanently labeled with the All gigged or snagged paddlefish must name and address of the user; 2) baited, be taken into possession and cannot be Q: May you clean your fish checked and all fish removed at least culled or released. Anglers must cease while on the water? once every 24 hours; 3) removed from gigging or snagging once they attain the water, bank or tree when fishing ceases. 2 paddlefish daily creel limit. It is illegal A: Anglers shall not remove any to sell paddlefish or their roe taken by part of the head or tail of any fish Prohibited Areas: Sport fish- sportfish snagging methods. No daily for which there is a size or creel ing trotlines, jug lines or set lines may limits on any other rough fish. Regard- limit until finished fishing and off not be used within 200 yards below any less of condition, all sport fish taken by the water. dam. Sport fishing trotlines, jug lines or gigging and snagging must be immedi- set lines are not allowed in Department ately returned to the water. owned/managed lakes having less than Persons may gig rough fish through daily creel limit is 15 rough fish, no more 500 surface acres, except those located the ice any time the surface is frozen than 5 of which can be catfish. on Ballard and Boatwright WMAs. thick enough to stand upon. The gigger No sport fishing trotlines are allowed must gig while supported by the ice. BOW FISHING within 700 yards below Kentucky Dam, (301 KAR 1:410) the area between Barkley Dam and U.S. Gigging and snagging are pro- Rough fish may be taken year- 62 bridge, or below the following Ohio hibited in the following waters or round by bow and arrow with line at- River dams from the face of the dam to areas: tached. Sport fish may not be taken with the end of the outer lock wall: Smith- • Cave Run Lake including all tributar- a bow and arrow. Bow anglers may use land, Newburgh, Cannelton, Mark- ies up to the first riffle (The location of a long bow, recurve bow, crossbow or land, Meldahl and Greenup; McAlpine the first riffle may change depending compound bow. Arrows must have a downstream to the K&I railroad bridge; on water level). barbed or retractable style point that has J.T. Meyers (Uniontown) to the end of • Cumberland River, below Wolf Creek a line attached for retrieval. Catfish have the outer lock wall and that portion of Dam downstream to the Tennessee a daily creel limit of 5 (in aggregate) and the split channel around the southern line including all of Hatchery Creek paddlefish have a daily creel limit of 2. part of Wabash Island from the fixed and all tributaries for ½ mile upstream There is no limit on other rough fish. weir dam to the first dike. of their confluence with the Cumber- Bow fisherman may fish within 200 land River. yards of a dam, except by boat in boat re- GIGGING AND SNAGGING FISH • Within 200 yards of a dam, except be- stricted areas. Bow fishing is prohibited (301 KAR 1:410, 1:082; KRS 150.010) low Kentucky Dam. on the Cumberland River below Wolf Gigging means spearing or impal- • Cumberland River, below Barkley Dam Creek Dam downstream to the Tennes- ing fish on any pronged or barbed in- downstream to the U.S. 62 bridge. see line, including Hatchery Creek and strument attached to the end of any • Tennessee River, below Kentucky Dam all tributaries for ½ mile upstream of rigid object. Snagging means taking from the new U.S. 62 bridge to I-24 their confluence with the Cumberland fish or other aquatic animals by a rapid bridge. River. drawing motion (rather than enticement • Middle Fork of Kentucky River from Persons using a bow and arrow for by bait) using a hand-held pole and at- Buckhorn Lake downstream to the fishing must have the appropriate fish- tached line with one single treble hook. Breathitt County line. ing license and may take rough fish from Except, in Green River, Rolling Fork • Rough River, below Rough River Dam bank or boat. Bow anglers cannot sell River and their tributaries, up to five to KY 54 bridge paddlefish or their roe taken by bow single or five treble hooks may be used • In the Tennessee River below Ken- and arrow. Paddlefish and catfish taken for snagging. A rod legal for snagging tucky Dam, gigging prohibited year- by bow and arrow must be taken into must be equipped with line, guides and round. immediate possession and cannot be a reel. The rod length restriction is now For special regulations concerning culled. Fish taken by bow must not be removed. gigging and snagging in the Cumber- discarded on the bank. Bank disposal is The statewide season for gigging land River below Barkley Dam and in littering and subject to a fine. and/or snagging rough fish is from Feb- the Tennessee River below Kentucky ruary 1 through May 10. It is illegal to Lake refer to Special Regulations on SPEAR FISHING possess a gig on a stream or lake or in a pages 6 and 9 of this guide. (301 KAR 1:410) boat from November 1 through January Underwater spearing of rough fish 31. A person may gig or snag fish from TICKLING AND NOODLING with hand-held or mechanically pro- the bank of a stream during the day or (301 KAR 1:410; KRS 150.010) pelled spear is permitted year-round, but night. Gigging and snagging is not legal The tickling and noodling (hand only in lakes having 1,000 surface acres from a platform, except that gigging is grabbing) season for rough fish is June or more. All participants in this sport legal from a boat on lakes 500 surface 1 through August 31, during daylight must be submerged while spear fishing. acres or larger and only during daylight hours only. Tickling and noodling Only rough fish may be taken and the hours. means taking fish directly by hand, or appropriate fishing license is required. There is a statewide limit of 2 pad- with the aid of a handled hook. These The daily limit is 15 fish of which only 5 dlefish for either gigging or snagging. methods are permitted in all waters. The may be catfish. 11 LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES

LICENSE / PERMIT Resident Nonresident Annual Fishing $20 $50 Joint Husband/Wife Annual Fishing $36 Not available 1-Day Fishing $7 $10 3-Year Fishing (available online at fw.ky.gov only) $55 Not available Nonresident 7-Day Fishing Not available $30 Nonresident 15-Day Fishing Not available $40 Trout Permit $10 Annual Hunting $20 $140 1-Day Hunting (not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear) $7 $15 LICENSES 7-Day Hunting (not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear) Not available $55 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 $30 Not available Senior/Disabled Combination Hunting/Fishing* (includes same license and $5 Not available permits as Resident Sportsman’s License, plus additional deer permits.) Sportsman’s License* (Includes combination hunting/fishing, statewide deer $95 Not available permit, spring and fall turkey permits, state waterfowl permit and trout permit.) COMBOS Youth (ages 12-15) Sportsman’s License* $30 Not available (Includes youth hunting license, 2 youth deer permits and 2 youth turkey permits.) Statewide Deer Permit (two deer) $35 $120 Youth (ages 12-15) Deer Permit (one deer) $10 $15 FISHING REGULATIONS DEER Additional Deer Permit (two deer) $15 Spring Turkey Permit (statewide) (two turkeys) $30 $75 Youth (ages 12-15) Turkey Permit (one turkey, spring or fall) $10 $15 Fall Turkey Permit (statewide)(four turkeys) $30 $75 Migratory Bird–Waterfowl Permit $15 BIRDS Federal Duck Stamp (available at post offices and online at www.duckstamp.com) $15 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 $40 Out-of-Zone Elk Permit (Nonresident available online at fw.ky.gov only) $30 $400 Bear Permit $30 Not available Bear Chase Permit $30 Not available

BEAR 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 Otter Creek ORA Admission Fees (per person) Daily: $3, annual: $30, (available online at ) children under 12: free.

AREAS fw.ky.gov 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 $5 Opportunity; available online at fw.ky.gov only)

OTHER 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 12 nonresident youth under the age of 12 are not required to purchase licenses or permits (except the elk drawing application). HOW TO BUY LICENSES AND PERMITS FISHING REGULATIONS

GETTING A LICENSE ONLINE All Kentucky hunting and fishing licens- By Internet: By phone: es and permits, except a Joint Husband/ Visit Call toll-free 1-877-598-2401 Wife Fishing License, can be purchased fw.ky.gov Persons purchasing online: Persons purchasing by phone: through the secured Kentucky Fish and 1. Must use Visa, Mastercard or 1. Must use Visa, Mastercard, Dis- Wildlife website. Replacement licenses Discover; cover or e-check; can be printed free at fw.ky.gov. 2. Must provide their name, address, 2. Will be charged a small fee; GETTING A LICENSE IN PERSON date of birth and Social Security 3. Must provide their name, address, number; date of birth and Social Security Licenses and permits can be pur- 3. Must carry proof of their license/ number; chased throughout the Commonwealth. permit in addition to a picture ID 4. Will be issued a paper license/permit Most Walmart, Kmart, county court while fishing; and by mail (except short-term licenses); clerk offices and outdoor sporting goods 4. Will not receive a paper license/ 5. Will be issued an authorization stores sell licenses. License vendor loca- permit in the mail. number which serves as a license/ tions are listed at fw.ky.gov. permit until paper license/permit is issued; and GETTING A LICENSE BY PHONE you need, refer to previous portions of 6. Must have the authorization Licenses and permits can be pur- this guide, or contact Kentucky Fish and number in addition to a picture ID chased by phone 24 hours a day. It is the Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549. while fishing, if they have not yet caller’s responsibility to know what type All Kentucky hunting and fishing received their paper license/permit of license or permit is needed before licenses and permits, except a disabled li- in the mail. calling. Operators should NOT be relied cense, elk lottery application and all youth upon to explain licensing requirements. licenses and permits, can be purchased If you are unsure what license or permit over the phone for a small fee.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS

wide without a license, but must carry with the resident senior/disabled License expiration proper identification and papers show- combination license and resident Annual license/permit authorization ing furlough status. sportsman’s license. All licensed anglers numbers are valid from the date of • Residents and nonresidents ages 15 fishing the portion of the Cumberland purchase through the last day in and younger. River from Wolf Creek Dam to the February. New licenses are required • Persons fishing on the first Saturday Tennessee state line, its tributaries up to annually March 1. A temporary and Sunday in June ( June 6-7, 2015) the first riffle and all of Hatchery Creek fishing license is valid for the period during Free Fishing Days are not re- are required to possess a trout permit. shown on the license. KRS 150.175 quired to have a license or permit. (See the Trout section in this guide for It is illegal to sell fish caught on a • Persons fishing within the boundaries details and for a complete list of waters sport fishing license. of Mammoth Cave National Park. where trout are present.) A resident is anyone who has es- RESIDENT SPORTSMAN’S tablished permanent and legal residence WHO NEEDS A LICENSE? LICENSE (SAVE $55!) in Kentucky and resided here at least 30 (KRS 150.010, 150.170) days immediately prior to applying for Available to Kentucky residents All persons must fill out and carry a license. Full-time students enrolled in only, the Sportsman’s License includes a the proper license and permit to fish an educational institution for at least a combination hunting and fishing license, any Kentucky waters except the follow- six-month term and service personnel spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit, ing (for permit requirements see “Trout on permanent assignment in Kentucky statewide deer permit, state waterfowl Permit” on this page): are also classified as residents. All others permit (which also covers dove and other • The resident owner of farmlands, his are considered non-residents for licens- migratory bird hunting) and trout permit. spouse and dependent children may ing purposes. Peabody and LBL permits, trapping li- fish on their land without a license. cense, an elk lottery application, elk quota Tenants, their spouses and dependent TROUT PERMIT hunt permit (if drawn), out-of-zone elk children may fish without a license on (301 KAR 1:201) permit, bear permit and bonus deer per- farmlands where they live and work. Unless license exempt, anglers who mits must be purchased separately. A fed- • Resident servicemen on furlough for intend to keep trout must have a trout eral duck stamp (available at post offices) more than three days may fish state- permit ($10). A trout permit is included is required for waterfowl hunting. 13 PAY LAKES Wildlife, anglers need a valid Kentucky no license (including the Kentucky trout (KRS 150.660) fishing license. permit) is required of residents or non- A person fishing in a pay lake li- residents to fish any Kentucky waters. FREE FISHING DAYS censed by the Kentucky Department of All other fishing regulations remain in Fish and Wildlife Resources needs ei- (301 KAR 1:210) effect. Free fishing days are offered to ther a Kentucky fishing license or a free Every year Kentucky offers free promote fishing and National Fishing permit issued by the operator. If the lake fishing days the first weekend in June Week. is not licensed by Kentucky Fish and ( June 6-7, 2015). On free fishing days

Resident senior and DisabILITY Licenses

The following are eligible to pur- nized authority. Once the proper documentation chase the Senior or Disabled Com- • Kentucky resident veterans at least is processed, applicants will receive bination Hunting/Fishing license 50% disabled as the result of a their authorization card by mail. (which includes the same license and service-connected disability. The authorization card is not a permits as the Resident Sports- Seniors need only show proof license. It must be presented to the man’s License, plus additional deer of age and residency to purchase license seller, or the authorization permits): this license. Persons with disabili- number entered online, at the time of • Kentucky residents 65 years of ties listed above must first obtain a purchase. age or older. disability authorization card from License vendors cannot sell a • Kentucky residents certified Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. disability license using an expired totally and permanently disabled authorization card. Senior and Dis- by the Federal Social Security To obtain a disability license ability Combination Licenses are valid Administration, a state Workers authorization card: through the end of February each year. Compensation Board, the Ken- If your disability is through the: If you lose your card, contact Kentucky tucky Teacher Retirement System • Federal Social Security Admin- Fish and Wildlife for a replacement. or the United States Railroad istration: Call 1-800-772-1213 Retirement Board. or go online to

FISHING REGULATIONS www.socialsecurity. • Kentucky resident employees gov/myaccount to print the form Q: For how long is a disability of the U.S. Office of Personnel showing your name, address, authorization card valid? Management declared totally and Social Security number and date permanently disabled by a recog- of birth. It must state that you A: A disability authorization are disabled and drawing benefits. card is valid for three years (check Send form to Kentucky Fish and the expiration date on your card). Mail or fax Wildlife (address bottom left). Every three years, you must provide To send disability paperwork to • Veteran’s Administration: Con- updated paperwork (following the the department: tact your local VA office and re- instructions to the left) and get a quest a letter that verifies you are new card. Those who already have By mail: at least 50% disabled as a result a disability authorization card KDFWR Disability License of a service-connected disability. through the Veteran’s Administra- #1 Sportsman’s Lane Send letter to Kentucky Fish and tion, Railroad Retirement Board or Frankfort, KY 40601 Wildlife Office of Personnel Management • If your disability is through may call 1-800-310-1873 to get a By FAX: (502) 564-9845 other state or federal agencies call new card. 1-800-858-1549.

LOST LICENSES AND PERMITS Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. You will re- Persons who need a replacement li- ceive a refund minus a $5 handling fee. Carry proof cense or permit have three options: 3. Send $5, your name, address, date of Holders of Disabled Combination 1. Print a replacement online at fw.ky. birth and Social Security number, and Licenses must carry both the license gov. Click on “Licenses,” then on “Re- which license(s) or permits you lost and authorization card while fishing. print Your License.” to: KDFWR Licensing, #1 Sports- Once a person who qualifies for this 2. Purchase the same type of license or man’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. The license reaches age 65, he or she permit from any license vendor, ask department will replace the license/ is considered a senior for licensing them for a license refund form (or print permit once verification of original purposes, and no longer needs to one at fw.ky.gov), fill it out and send it purchase occurs. Replacement may follow the process of obtaining a dis- to: KDFWR Licensing, #1 Sportsman’s take up to 3 weeks. ability license authorization card. 14 BORDERING WATERS FISHING REGULATIONS

All Kentucky anglers who fish re- Ohio River without an Indiana fishing of the state in which they are licensed. ciprocal waters must have a valid Ken- license, but must abide by Indiana’s size Kentucky residents must have a Ken- tucky fishing license. and creel limits. However, anglers fish- tucky license. ing from a boat must follow the size and OHIO RIVER FISHING creel limits of the state in which the an- KENTUCKY LAKE (KRS 150.170) gler is licensed. On Kentucky Lake, anglers with ei- An angler with a Kentucky fishing Reminder: snagging is not permit- ther a valid Kentucky or Tennessee sport license may fish the entire main stem of ted for any fish species on the Indiana fishing license may fish from Eggner’s the Ohio River from a boat, or a bor- side or in any Indiana waters of the Ferry Bridge (U.S. 68 and Hwy. 80) in dering state’s bank without buying the Ohio River. In Kentucky, a person may Kentucky south to the Governor Ned other state’s license (bordering states in- not snag within 200 yards below any McWhorter Bridge (U.S. 79 and Hwy. clude Illinois, Indiana and Ohio). dam on the Ohio River. 76) in Tennessee. This includes all embay- This does not apply if fishing a bor- ments and tributaries, except the Blood dering state’s embayments or tributaries, MISSISSIPPI RIVER River embayment in Kentucky. Anglers which begin at a straight line between op- (KRS 150.170) must abide by the fishing regulations of posite points where the tributary or em- Anglers licensed in Kentucky may the state in which they are fishing. bayment meets the main stem of the river. fish Missouri portions of the Mississippi Anglers fishing from a bordering River without buying a Missouri fishing BIG SANDY AND TUG FORK state’s bank must follow the size and license. Each state recognizes the sport RIVERS creel limits of the state where the an- fishing licenses and permits of the other Anglers with a valid Kentucky gler is located. For example, a Kentucky state on the Mississippi River. The river fishing license may fish the entire main licensed angler can stand on the Indi- is defined as the main channel and im- stem of the Big Sandy and Tug Fork ana bank and fish the main stem of the mediate side or secondary channels and rivers from the confluence of the Ohio chutes. It does not include oxbow or and Big Sandy Rivers upstream to the floodplain lakes or any tributary streams. Virginia state line. Kentucky anglers can A tributary is delineated by the straight fish from a boat or on West Virginia’s line between opposite points where the bank without buying a West Virginia tributary connects with the main body fishing license. of the Mississippi River. Furthermore, This does not apply to fishing West the river does not include backwaters Virginia’s tributaries or embayments, that extend onto the floodplain or tribu- which begin at a straight line between taries when the river exceeds 33 feet at opposite points where the tributary or em- the gauging station at Cairo, Illinois. bayment meets the main stem of the river. Sport fishing license or permit Kentucky anglers fishing from West holders may fish from, or attach any Virginia’s bank must follow their size and Need fish for your device or equipment to land along the creel limits. However, Kentucky anglers new or renovated pond? Visit river under the jurisdiction of the other fishing the main stem from a boat must state. Landowner permission is required follow Kentucky’s size and creel limits. fw.ky.gov or call 1-800-858- to fish from the bank. BIG SOUTH FORK OF THE 1549 for information about Sport fishing license holders shall abide by the regulations in the state in CUMBERLAND RIVER Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s whose waters they are fishing and when Anglers may use either a Tennessee farm pond stocking program. fishing in waters they are not licensed to or a Kentucky sport fishing license while fish, shall comply with the most restric- fishing that portion of the Big South tive regulation. Fork from the Leatherwood Ford bridge (Hwy. 297) in Tennessee to the Hwy. 92 Q: If I have my pond DALE HOLLOW LAKE stocked by the KDFWR, do I bridge at Yamacraw, Kentucky. have to let the public fish it? Anglers may use either a Tennes- Anglers must obey the regulations see or a Kentucky sport fishing license of the state in which they are licensed. A: No. The deadline to while fishing in the Wolf River arm of Kentucky residents must have a Ken- apply for the pond stocking Dale Hollow Lake. This includes the tucky license. program is September 1 Illwill Creek embayment beginning at a OTHER BORDERING WATERS annually and there is a fee. line crossing the Wolf River at its mouth where it joins the Obey River and the On all other bordering waters, main part of the lake. boundaries are set by state lines. Obey the Anglers must obey the regulations laws of the state in which you are fishing. 15 GENERAL INFORMATION

Bigger tournaments Fishing tournaments involving more than 100 boats are regulated and permitted by the Division of Law Enforcement, 1-800-858-1549.

Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Ser- vice or Kentucky State Parks. Check the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov. If the launch site for your tourna- ment involves using a marina ramp, please contact the marina operator be- fore scheduling your tournament. There are over 1,000 fishing tour- naments held annually in Kentucky waters. These can be a valuable source of information to our fishery biologists. Following each scheduled event, tour-

GENERAL INFORMATION nament organizers are asked to report their catch data directly on the tourna- ment web site or on forms which can be sent via postal mail. Voluntary coopera- tion from tournament organizers will be used in making fishery management decisions. At the end of the tourna- ment season, a summary of tournament results will be sent to all providers. If not provided with one, contact your local fisheries district office. They will provide a packet. KEEPING YOUR BASS ALIVE Kentucky Fish and Wildlife rec- ommends tournament anglers and directors follow some simple proce- David Baker photo dures to keep bass alive during sum- mer tournaments that run from June flicts with other previously registered through August. Summer tournament FISHING events by adjusting the date, time, spe- fishing places great stress on bass due TOURNAMENTS cific launch areas or weigh-in site for to high water temperatures. Please re- their activities. fer to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Other recreational anglers and website at fw.ky.gov for a list of these As a voluntary program, fishing boaters can check the web site to see procedures. event organizers are strongly urged to when and where fishing events are use the Tournament web site at fw.ky. scheduled. This will assist them in plan- HABITAT gov/tournamentschedule.aspx to register ning their activities and also help avoid and report on their events. Tourna- potential space conflicts. Additional per- 16 ment planners can avoid space con- mits may be required by the U.S. Army The Kentucky Department of Fish GENERAL INFORMATION and Wildlife regularly creates and main- structures vary in material and benefit cur naturally, but if their numbers get tains fish attractors and habitat struc- sport fish populations while providing too high they can pose health risks to tures in lakes across Kentucky. These anglers productive fishing areas. GPS humans and animals. Anglers, hunt- locations of many of these structures are ers, boaters and all others who might found at fw.ky.gov. use these water resources should be Q: Can you sell fish caught aware of the potential risks associated while possessing only a valid HARMFUL ALGAL with these blooms. Both the Kentucky Kentucky sport fishing license? Division of Water and the U.S. Army BLOOMS Corps of Engineers have initiated test- A: No. It is illegal to sell any ing of lakes in Kentucky to document fish caught without the proper Blue-green algae are a type of bac- these blooms and provide updated in- commercial fishing license and gear. teria found in lakes in Kentucky and formation to the public. See fw.ky.gov throughout the United States. They oc- for more information.

FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES

The Kentucky Departments for other women are not included in the Environmental Protection, Health consumption notice. Services and Fish and Wildlife Re- Organic mercury can occur natu- Sensitive population sources jointly issue a fish consump- rally in the environment and does not Women of childbearing age, tion advisory to the public when fish affect swimmers, skiers or boaters. Fish children 6 years of age or younger, are found contaminated. Trace con- can accumulate low levels of mercury by pregnant and nursing women and women who plan to become taminants such as polychlorinated bi- eating plankton and other small aquatic pregnant should follow the adviso- phenyl (PCB), mercury and chlordane creatures. ries in the “Sensitive Population” are found in some fish in Kentucky. An CONSUMPTION GUIDELINES category. advisory cautions people about poten- tial health problems that may result A new method for reporting fish from eating fish caught from a par- consumption advisories has been ad- ticular area. An advisory does not ban opted. Consumption rates for specific will limit your health risks by reducing eating fish; it is a guide to reduce your fish have been developed based on a your total exposure. See table on the risk. This guide provides information meal of ½ pound of fish (before cook- next page. on how often fish may be safely eaten. ing) eaten by a 150-pound individual. For the most up-to-date consump- Most fish are healthy to eat and are an Following these guidelines and spac- tion advisory information, please visit excellent source of low-fat protein. ing your meals of those fish species fw.ky.gov. STATEWIDE All waters are under advisory for PARASITES AND GRUBS IN FISH mercury. Women of childbearing age or from its mouth. The eggs hatch and children 6 years of age or younger Kentucky anglers will oc- and tiny larvae of the parasite should eat no more than one meal per casionally clean a fish and find a burrow into a snail. After a time week of freshwater fish. Adult men and white or yellowish color worm in the fish’s flesh that is about the in the snail, the parasite changes size of a grain of rice. Or, when form and swims to its next host, a stream fishing, an angler will fish. Inside the fish, the parasite REDUCE YOUR RISK encounter a smallmouth bass or changes to a grub form and waits Risks from eating contaminated sunfish with small black specks on for the fish to be eaten. Then, the fish can be reduced by the its belly or across its body. cycle repeats. following: This is a parasitic fluke that The angler’s first instinct is • fillet the fish, remove the skin requires different host animals to to discard any fish with either and trim all fat complete its life cycle: a fish eating the grubs in the flesh or black • do not eat fish eggs bird, a snail and a fish. The grub specks on the body. Grub-infested • broil, grill or bake the fillets in- matures and produces eggs inside fish are safe to eat. Grubs do not stead of frying or microwaving a host fish-eating bird such as a infect people. Remove any grubs • do not eat or reuse juices or Great Blue Heron. The eggs enter found and prepare the fish as you fats that cook out of the fish. the water from the bird’s droppings normally would. 17 FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES

NUMBER OF MEALS PER SPECIES General Population Sensitive Population DRAKES CREEK, Simpson Co. (from dam on W. Fork at Franklin, KY downstream to confluence with Barren River All species (PCB) No consumption FISH LAKE, Ballard Co. (from lake headwaters to outflow of Shawnee Creek) Black bass* and suckers/carp (mercury) 1/month 6/year FISHTRAP LAKE, Pike Co. (from VA/KY state line to Fishtrap Lake dam) Channel catfish, drum, white bass and suckers/carp (PCB and mercury) 1/month 6/year Black bass* and flathead catfish (PCB and mercury) 1/week 1/month FIVE PONDS, McCracken Co. All species (mercury) No consumption GREEN RIVER LAKE (from lake headwaters to dam) Black bass*, catfish, drum (mercury) and suckers/carp (PCB) 1/month 6/year GUIST CREEK LAKE, Shelby Co. (from lake headwaters to dam) Black bass* (mercury) 1/month 6/year KNOX CREEK, Pike Co. (from VA/KY state line to Tug Fork River) Flathead catfish (PCB and mercury) No consumption Channel catfish and drum (PCB) 6/year No consumption Black bass*, crappie and rock bass (PCB and mercury) 1/month 6/year LAKE CUMBERLAND (from confluence of Laurel and Cumberland rivers to Wolf Creek Dam) Black bass* (mercury) 1/month 6/year Crappie and rock bass (mercury) 1/week 1/month LITTLE BAYOU CREEK, McCracken Co. All species (PCB) No consumption METROPOLIS LAKE, McCracken Co.

GENERAL INFORMATION All species (PCB and mercury) 1/month 6/year MUD RIVER, Logan Co. (from headwaters to Wolf Lick Creek) Catfish, drum, suckers/carp (PCB) No consumption Black bass*, crappie and sunfish (PCB) 1/month 6/year MUD RIVER, Butler and Muhlenberg cos. (from Wolf Lick Creek to Green River) Catfish, drum, suckers/carp (PCB) 1/month 6/year Black bass*, rock bass, crappie and sunfish (PCB) 1/week 1/month OHIO RIVER, UPPER REACH (mouth of the Big Sandy River to Markland L&D) Channel catfish over 21” and paddlefish (and their eggs) 6/year No consumption Carp, channel catfish under 21”, drum, flathead catfish, hybrid striped 1/month 6/year bass, sauger, smallmouth buffalo and white bass Black bass* 1/week 1/month White crappie unlimited 1/week OHIO RIVER, MIDDLE REACH (Markland L&D to Cannelton L&D) Channel catfish over 21” and paddlefish (and their eggs) 6/year No consumption Carp, channel catfish under 21”, drum, hybrid striped bass and 1/month 6/year white bass Black bass*, flathead catfish and sauger 1/week 1/month OHIO RIVER, LOWER REACH (Cannelton L&D to mouth of Ohio River) Paddlefish (and their eggs) 6/year No consumption Blue catfish over 14”, channel catfish, carp, drum, hybrid striped bass 1/month 6/year and white bass Blue catfish under 14”, bigmouth buffalo, black bass* and sauger 1/week 1/month White crappie unlimited 1/week TOWN BRANCH, Logan Co. All species (PCB) No consumption 18 *Black bass include largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. GENERAL INFORMATION ANGLER’S FISH IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

1 2 3

2

1 3 SAUGER 1. Rows of dark spots on spiny dorsal fin, 2. No dark blotch at rear of spiny dorsal fin, 3. Dark saddle-like blotches which extend onto the sides of the body HYBRID STRIPED BASS 1 2 1. Tooth patch on tongue consists of two rows of teeth, often partially joined, 2. Back moderately arched, 3. Most stripes are broken, many more than once

3 2 3 WALLEYE 1 1. Dark streaks or blotches on spiny dorsal fin, but not distinct spots, 2. Dark blotch at rear of spiny, dorsal fin, 3. White spot on lower lobe of tail fin

1 2 STRIPED BASS 1. Tooth patch on tongue consists of two distinctly split, parallel rows of teeth, 2. Back slightly arched, more streamlined, 3. Stripes very distinct and most extend fully onto tail

3 BROWN TROUT 1. Dark spots and orange or red spots with blue halos, 2 2. No spots on tail fin 1 1 2 3

WHITE BASS 1. Single tooth patch on tongue, 2. Back arched, 3. Stripes often faint and irregular RAINBOW TROUT 1. Pink to red stripe on side, 2. Back and sides heavily 3 speckled, 3. Spots on tail fin

1 2 1

2 YELLOW BASS BROOK TROUT 1. No tooth patch on tongue, 2. Second and 1. Worm-like markings (vermiculations) on upper body, third anal spines nearly same length, 3. Stripes 2. Pale spots on dark background distinct and broken above anal fin 19 2 2 1 1 3

3 BLUEGILL ROCK BASS 1. Gill flap black, 2. Vertical bars on side, 3. Dark 1. Eye rimmed in red, 2. Most scales have a dark spot, blotch at rear of soft dorsal fin 3. Anal fin has five or six spines

2 1 2 3

1 REDEAR SUNFISH SMALLMOUTH BASS 1. Gill flap black with orange or red margin, 1. Upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, 2. Shallow 2. No dark blotch at rear of soft dorsal fin notch between dorsal fins, 3. Bronze colored with vertical bars on side 1 GENERAL INFORMATION 2 2

3

1

WHITE CRAPPIE LARGEMOUTH BASS 1. Dorsal fin has five or six spines, 2. Vertical bars on side 1. Upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, 2. Dorsal fins separated by deep notch, 3. Tongue usually without tooth patch 1 3 2

1

2 4 SPOTTED BASS BLACK CRAPPIE 1. Single tooth patch on tongue, 2. Upper jaw does not 1. Dorsal fin has seven or eight spines, 2. Irregular extend beyond back of eye, 3. Shallow notch between dorsal fins, 4. Rows of dark spots below lateral line 20 black blotches on side Rick Hill illustrations GENERAL INFORMATION 1 KENTUCKY THREATENED AND ENDANGERED FISHES 2 These five species of fish are protected under the MUSKELLUNGE Federal Endangered Species Act. It is illegal to take 1. Duck-like bill with sharp teeth, 2. No scales on lower these fish species and utilize them for any purpose in- half of cheek and gill flap cluding as live bait for fishing (see page 10).

1 3 2

BLACKSIDE DACE FLATHEAD CATFISH Found only in small (wadeable) streams in the Upper 1. Lower jaw projects far beyond upper jaw, 2. Tail fin not Cumberland River Basin including Letcher, Harlan, Bell, deeply forked, 3. Head is compressed on flathead catfish Whitley, Knox, McCreary, Pulaski and Laurel counties.

2

3

CUMBERLAND DARTER 1 Found only in small (wadeable) streams in the CHANNEL CATFISH Upper Cumberland River drainage including 1. Outer margin of anal fin rounded, with 24 to 29 rays, Whitley and McCreary counties. 2. Dark spots usually on body, 3. Tail fin deeply forked

2

3 PALEZONE SHINER Found only in the Little South Fork of the 1 BLUE CATFISH Cumberland River in McCreary and Wayne counties. 1. Outer margin of anal fin straight, with 30 to 35 rays, 2. Body without dark spots, 3. Tail fin deeply forked

RELICT DARTER Found only in the Bayou du Chien River in Hickman and Graves counties.

LAKE STURGEON (top) and ALLIGATOR GAR Lake sturgeon may not be harvested statewide. Alligator gar are part of a new restoration effort in western Kentucky. If you TUXEDO DARTER see or catch these fish, please report the catch or sighting to Found only in the Big South Fork of the Matt Thomas at (502) 564-7109. Release caught alligator gar. Cumberland River in McCreary County. 21 AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES TROUT WATERS tern of stripes. Zebra mussels can live 8 It’s the law HELP KEEP OUT to 10 days out of water and can be trans- No live fish, live minnow, or live NON-NATIVE SPECIES ported to another water body while at- tached to a boat. bait organisms not native or estab- • CLEAN your boat and trailer lished in Kentucky shall be bought, before launching into or leav- HYDRILLA sold, possessed, imported, or in any ing any waterbody. Hydrilla is an exotic plant invading way used or released into Kentucky • REMOVE all plants and Kentucky through transfer of plant frag- waters. animals. ments by boats and personal watercraft. • DRAIN all water from bilges All it takes is a small fragment of the and livewells. Sport anglers unintentionally and plant to start a new colony. This plant • DISPOSE of unwanted live intentionally stock fish in Kentucky’s forms extremely dense mats that grow bait on shore – DO NOT public waters. These species mainly in- to the surface of the waterbody making STOCK THE LAKE! clude gizzard shad and alewives that are boating and swimming difficult. It liter- • RINSE your boat, trailer and present in several water bodies. Giz- ally fills shallow areas from top to bot- equipment with high pressure zard shad have been illegally released tom with vegetation. hot water. in several small public lakes where they Hydrilla also chokes out native • DRY everything for at least previously were not present. They inter- plants and displaces fish. It is extremely five days. fere with the lake’s ability to support a difficult to eradicate once it becomes es- quality bluegill population. Alewives are tablished. a non-native fish illegally stocked into In order to limit the spread of this several Kentucky lakes. The total impact early life stages. nuisance plant, please check all trailer of these fish is not known, but they are Very young Asian carp in these parts, boat motor and other equipment known to eat young fish, including sport river systems can be easily mistaken as for mud or pieces of plant and remove fishes. shad or skipjack herring. All bait col- before leaving the lake. Additionally, there are many non- lectors using cast or dip nets should

GENERAL INFORMATION native aquatic species that invaded the never dispose of any live bait into country, particularly in Great Lake other water bodies due to the poten- states. These include both plants and tial threat of spreading these aquatic animals such as Eurasian watermilfoil, nuisance species. Asian carp, hydrilla, spring water flea, ZEBRA MUSSELS and zebra mussels. Kentucky has zebra mussels present ASIAN CARP in our waters and are at nuisance levels Two new species of Asian carp, in the Ohio River. They attach the big head and silver, have invaded themselves to any solid river systems in Kentucky. Any river submerged surface in a or large stream tributary to the Ohio cluster, reproduce rap- or Mississippi Rivers most likely pos- idly, and pose a seri- sess Asian carp. Both of these species ous threat to native are plankton eaters and may exceed 50 freshwater mussel pounds in size. Their impact on native populations. These species is not presently known, but they mussels have elon- represent a competitive threat to other gated pointed shells plankton eating fish such as our native less than two inches The Angler’s Legacy program paddlefish and most of our sport fish at long with a zebra like pat- aims to mobilize the 7.5 mil- lion avid anglers in the United States to “take someone fishing.” The program intends to pass the Asian carp angling legacy down to the next generation. Take the pledge by log- ging on to www.anglerslegacy.org to take a child, friend, co-worker or relative on a fishing trip. 22 TROUT WATERS 23 12” none Minimum Size Limit On Paint Creek in On Chimney Top constructed lower section is section constructed lower open for catch and release only for all trout and only artificial baits may species be used. Johnson County - (Paints ville Lake tailwater), there sizeis a 16-inch minimum fish daily limit and one creel the KY from trout limit on to the bridge40 downstream - bridge 460 cross U.S. first Only artificial baits may ing. be used. Creek, including Right On Trammel Creek in Allen vest) from October 1 through March March October 1 through from vest) in Swift except where Camp Creek 31, the catch is October season and release Only artificial baits 31. May 1 through be used duringmay the catch- and re Statewide apply regulations lease season. September. April through Fork Fork Chimney Top is a 16-inch minimum there County), Creek (Wolfe size fish daily limit limit and one creel and only artificial trout for baits brown be used. may County, there is a 16-inch minimum limit creel daily fish one a and limit size on brown trout. Dave Dreves photo Dave Possession Limit Possession

Catch and release only (except on Cumberland River) Catch and release only Daily Limit Daily limit 8, only 3 may be brown trout* Daily limit 8, only 3 may

for a list of monthly fw.ky.gov On Hatchery Creek in Russell Some indicated streams in the table of the Cumberland River, including all of the Cumberland River, tributary up to the first riffle and streams possess now must all of Hatchery Creek, - permita valid Kentucky (regard trout not may Anglers sought). species of less chum or cull trout. County, the upper section as nated by signs is desig- open under Cumber- newly The regulations. trout River land stocked once each year for a put-grow- stocked each year once at produced are All trout take fishery. Fish National Hatchery. Creek Wolf Visit stockings.trout AND RELEASE STREAMS CATCH a catch (no har- season have and release TROUT STOCKING Rainbow trout Rainbow Brown trout Brook trout TROUT REGULATIONS TROUT TROUT WATERS TROUT Brown trout Brook trout** Rainbow trout Rainbow STREAMS SPORT FISH SPECIES The Cumberland River be- On the Dix River The streams listed on the listed following The streams size limit. All anglers on this section section this All on anglers sizelimit. daily creel limit with 15-inch minimum daily limit with 15-inch minimum creel than 20 inches. Brook trout have a 1 fish have trout Brook than 20 inches. five fish daily creel limit may be longer longer be may fish daily creel limit five released. Only one rainbow trout of the of the Only rainbow trout one released. 15 and 20 inches must be immediately15 and 20 inches must River. All rainbow trout caught All rainbow trout between River. for of the Cumberland the same section slot limit on rainbow trout is in effect rainbow trout slot limit on brown trout. A 15- to 20-inch protective A 15- to 20-inch protective trout. brown fish daily limit applies to creel minimum sizeminimum and a one limit phy brown trout area. A 20-inch area. trout brown phy - line is a tro state Tennessee the Wolf Creek Dam downstream to Dam downstream Creek Wolf low Lake Cumberland the from Dam is via the Kentucky River. to Dix River below Herrington below to Dix River Dix River. The only The access public Dix River. fishing this two-mile section of section fishing this two-mile may not be possessed while may baits only. Live or organic bait organic or Live only. baits fishing is permittedwith artificial (Herrington Lake tailwaters), EXCEPTIONS the months indicated. Brown trout are are trout Brown indicated. the months U.S. FishWildlife and Service during U.S. Wildlife and the (KDFWR) Resources the Kentucky Department of Fish and pages are stocked with rainbow trout by stocked by are with rainbow trout pages on page 26 and special regulations for Cumberland River on page 6. on page 26 and special Streams” Brook Trout **See “Catch and Release * Possession limit is double the daily creel limit on these species. limit is double the daily * Possession 24 TROUT WATERS Otter CreekORA Otter Creek,Fort Knox North Fork, Triplett Creek* Middle Fork, Red River* Lynn CampCreek Looney Creek Sturgeon Creek Sulphur Spring Creek Left Fork, BeaverCreek Station CampCreek Laurel Creek Laurel Jennings Creek Elk SpringCreek Hatchery Creek Hatchery Floyds Fork East Fork, IndianCreek* Craney Creek* Clear Creek Chimney Top Creek* Casey Creek Cane Creek* Sinking Creek East Fork,Little SandyRiver Greasy Creek Goose Creek Big CaneyCreek Big BoneCreek Russell ForkRussell Beaver Creek Bark CampCreek* Royal Springs Rock Creek* Round Stone Creek Right Fork, BuffaloCreek Right Fork, BeaverCreek Raven Creek STATEWIDE STREAMS Powell/Wolfe Breckinridge McCreary Jefferson Harrison Simpson Menifee Whitley County Warren Harlan Russell Owsley Wayne Wayne Meade Rowan Rowan Laurel Elliott Elliott Boone Wolfe Leslie Casey Floyd Floyd Estill Scott Trigg Boyd Hart Hart Pike Bell Lee 7,500 Rainbows 27,000 15,600 STREAMS 4,000 1,050 3,000 2,500 1,500 1,200 2,500 2,750 1,600 1,200 8,000 3,750 1,200 7,000 4,500 1,000 3,600 2,500 1,200 2,250 1,000 1,500 3,750 1,600 2,800 1,200 Total 500 400 400 400 500 400 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 2,3,4,5,10,11 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 3,4,5,6,9,10, 4,5,6,7,10 3,4,5,6,10 3,4,5,6,10 3,4,5,10 4,5,6,10 3,4,5,10 6,7,8,10 Months monthly 4,5,10 4,5,10 4,5,10 3,4,10 4,5,10 4,5,10 4,5,10 4,5,10 4,5,10 11,12 3,4,5 4,5,6 4,10 4,5 4,5 10 4 4 4 4 6 4 (fort only) Browns Total 500 700 200 250 500 400 450 250 500 200 Oct. 1 - Mar. 31; inside of Natural downstream toUS150–20miles down streamtomouth–4.5miles Oct. 1-Mar. 31;Hwy122bridge Oct. 1-Mar. 31;Hwy190bridge Bone LickStatePark –2.1miles Oct. 1-Mar. 31;Hwy90bridge Oct. 1-Mar. 31;insidetheBig Military Reservation andOtter Military Bridge StatePark –2.2miles bridge upstreamtoTennessee upstream toHwy200bridge Oct. 1-Mar. 31; BellFarm Oct. 1-Mar. 31;2.8miles Oct. 1-Mar. 31;3.6miles Oct. 1-Mar. 31;6.6miles Oct. 1-Mar. 31;5.3miles Oct. 1-Mar. 31;3.9miles Oct. 1-Mar. 31; Ft.Knox Oct. 1-Mar. 31;US60 Creek ORA –9.7miles (No Harvest) Season (No Harvest) upstream –3.6miles Catch andRelease border –9.8miles – 2.8miles TROUT WATERS 25 4,5,11 Months 4,5,6,11 4,5,10,11 3,4,5,6,10 4,5,6,10,11 4,5,6,10,11 4,5,6,10,11 4,5,6,10,11 4,5,6,10,11 4,5,6,10,11 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,11 Catch and Release and Release Catch (No Harvest) Season 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Oct. 1 - Mar. 31 – 4.4 miles 31 Oct. 1 - Mar. Wilderness miles Area – 8.0 Oct. 1 - May 31; within CliftyOct. 1 - May 300 250 1,000 38,000 Total Browns Total trailers for any vegetation after leaving the water and remove. 1. disinfect with a 2 ered later, percent solution of household 2. a 5 percent solution bleach or, 3. you may also soak in of salt or, 4. Allow to air undiluted vinegar. dryat least 2 days. for • If algae or vegetation is discov- 600 Total Total Browns 500 5,000 5,000 6,800 4,000 5,000 4,500 3,750 9,000 3,000 2,250 20,000 10,000 161,000 Total Rainbows Total 4,10 2,10 3,4,5 Months 3,4,5,6,10 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 Total Total 1,200 1,000 8,750 2,500 1,000 Rainbows TAILWATERS hulls, livewells, lower units and Paintsville Taylorsville Buckhorn Fishtrap Martins Fork Carr Creek Cave Run Cumberland* Dewey Grayson Herrington Laurel River Nolin River Yatesville *Stocking dates for Cumberland River (Lake Cumberland tailwater) will not be *Stocking dates for Cumberland River (Lake announced. Also, sterile rainbow trout and brook trout are stocked in March. tom with mats that cover up native plants and crowd out native insects that trout need for food. prevent the spread of Didymo into To tailwaters and streams, other Kentucky anglers who fish the Cumberland River and out-of-state waterways should: • Inspect all wading gear and boat Allen Wolfe Rowan Fayette County Jackson (continued)

TAILWATERS

The following tailwatersreceive NEW THREAT TO TROUT FISHERIES NEW THREAT The invasive algae known as Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) recently appeared in the Cumberland River (Lake Cumberland tailwater). Didymo, native to northern Europe light and Canada, is a white, gray, brown or beige mass on the stream bottom that resembles shag carpet. Didymo can choke the stream bot-

Get permission Get Anyone entering upon or cross- privately owned lands. in this guide are located on, or adjacent to, Many of the streams listed have the permissioning private property must of the land owner. Leave a note Leave When planning a boating trip, leave a note, or float plan, with someone to let them know where you are. Include your departure and expected return times, the waters where you will be boating, a description and/ or license number of the vessel and where you can be reached in case of emergency. STATEWIDE STREAMS STREAMS STATEWIDE Trammel Creek Trammel Fork* War Triplett Creek Triplett (Veteran’s Park) (Veteran’s Swift Camp Creek* Swift Camp Hickman Creek West *Daniel Boone National Forest stream; stockings are not announced. stream; stockings are Forest *Daniel Boone National fw.ky.gov. ing 1-800-858-1549 or logging on to on logging 1-800-858-1549 or ing Kentucky FishWildlife and call by - Monthly schedules are available through Monthly available through schedules are the late fall; monthly totals will vary. monthlywill totals vary. the late fall; begins in spring into and continues rainbow and brown trout. Stocking trout. rainbow and brown 26 TROUT WATERS valid Kentucky fishinglicense andtroutvalid Kentucky isrequireding permit inaddition toa fishing andapostfish- regulations apply with rainbowor brown trout. Special are stocked reservations ties) military Knox (Bullitt, Meade andHardin coun- Creek and Otter onnessee portion) Fort and KinserPool on Fort (Ten Campbell - FORT CAMPBELLANDKNOX Cannon Creek Camp Ernst Brickyard Pond Bob NoblePark Bloomfield Park James D.BevillePark Beulah Bert Combs Community Park Anderson Co. Park Lake Alexandria Community Cedar CreekLake Highsplint Grant’s Branch Fish Pond Fagen Branch Easy Walker Park Dickerson Lake Cranks Creek Cherokee Park Greenbo and #4 Fisherman’s Park #3 Long Pond Middleton MillsPark, Metcalfe Co. Park Lake Maysville-Mason Co. Lake Madisonville CityPark Lusby Lower Sportsman’s River Laurel Tract, SixAcreLake Ky. RiverWMABoone Jacobson Park Jack C.FisherPark Park Kingdom ComeState Little West Fork, Fork Fletchers LAKES LAKES 4 (2lakes) Acreage 6,060 243 786 126 219 181 25 10 87 36 40 32 22 12 14 46 6 2 3 1 7 6 2 2 4 1 2 3 6 1 3 stockings are basedonstockings scheduled weather androad conditions. The lakesbelowrainbow arewithtrout stocked inthemonths indicated. January-March Rainbows 21,000 11,000 45,000 12,000 6,000 6,250 6,250 6,250 1,500 1,500 4,000 4,000 1,500 6,250 2,750 2,000 5,000 2,000 1,500 1,500 5,000 3,750 3,000 1,500 6,250 6,250 1,500 1,500 2,000 1,500 3,750 Total 500 only year-round flies only artificial andonly TROUT STREAMS CATCH ANDRELEASEBROOK Fort Knox, KY; phone: (502)624-2712. (270)798-2175 or Hunt Control Office, Fort Campbell, KY 42223-5000; phone: Division, Unit, HuntingandFishing permit. Contact CommunityRecreation Four streams andrelease are catch OTHER AREAS 1,4,5,10 1,4,5,10 1,4,5,10 1,4,5,10 Months 2,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,11 1,3,10 2,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,10 2,3,11 1,3,11 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,10 1,3,10 2,3,10 2,10 2,10 1,10 1,11 2,10 2,10 3 3 1 Panbowl Paintsville WMA Higginson/Henry Morton’s Lake, Mingo Martin Co.(Milo)Lake Millennium Park Pond Mill Creek Mike MillerPark Shelterhouse Middleton MillsPark, Access Pond Peabody WMA, Panther CreekPark Flycatcher Pond Peabody WMA, Rob’s Pond Peabody WMA, Wood Creek Heron Lake William F. MilesGreen Lake William F. MilesAngler Whitehall Park Lake Park Lake Waymond Morris Waverly Park Watterson Park Upper Sportsman’s Tom Wallace Park Three Springs Stanford Southgate Scott Co.Park Park Lake Sandy Watkins Prisoner’s Pollywog Yellow CreekPark LAKES (continued)

• Shillalah Creek County, –Bell • Shillalah outside • Poor Fork County, –Letcher from the • Parched Creek Corn – Wolfe County • DogFork – Wolfe County on thesestreams: and lures withasinglehook may beused toric Parktoric GapNational His- the Cumberland headwaters tofirstcrossing of KY 932 Acreage 1,139 672 75 41 11 29 43 1 2 5 2 4 1 1 4 1 1 4 6 5 5 4 7 5 2 3 3 4 4 3 Rainbows 4,500 6,000 1,000 1,500 6,250 1,500 6,000 3,750 1,500 2,250 3,750 1,500 1,500 8,000 1,500 3,750 6,250 6,250 6,250 3,750 6,250 6,250 6,250 1,000 1,500 1,500 1,000 3,750 3,750 1,500 Total 1,4,5,10 Months 2,3,10 2,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 2,3,10 1,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,11 2,3,10 2,3,11 2,3,10 3,10 1,11 1,11 1,11 2,10 2,3 2 2 4 TROPHY FISH TROPHY FISH TROPHY FISH

Stacey L. Boik of Evansville, Indiana, holds the state record blue sucker she caught from the Ohio River on Nov. 22, 2009. The fish weighed 8.34 pounds.

TROPHY FISH/MASTER ANGLER AWARD PROGRAM

Minimum Hybrid Striped Bass 23” Anglers who catch, by pole and ELIGIBLE SPECIES line, any one fish meeting the length length Kentucky (Spotted) Bass 16” requirements below may qualify for the Blue Catfish 35” Largemouth Bass 23” Trophy Fish/Master Angler Awards Bluegill 10” Muskellunge 40” Program. Anglers who catch three Bowfin 25” Rainbow Trout 20” different species of trophy status are Brook Trout 11” Redear Sunfish 10” eligible for the Master Angler Award. There is no time limit in which the Brown Trout 20” Redbreast Sunfish 10” three different species must be caught, Bullhead Catfish 14” Rock Bass 10” but each catch must be documented Carp 35” Sauger 18” and registered as a trophy fish with Chain Pickerel 24” Smallmouth Bass 20” Kentucky Fish and Wildlife since the Channel Catfish 28” Striped Bass 36” program began in 1987. Species counted Crappie 15” Walleye 25” toward a Master Angler Award may not Flathead Catfish 35” White Bass 16” be duplicated. Anglers qualifying for a Kentucky Freshwater Drum 25” Yellow Perch 10” Trophy Fish Award will receive a Gar 40” collectable Kentucky Trophy Fish lapel/ Fish Certificate. A photo of the catch hat pin. An angler may only receive Master Angler Award must be received must be submitted along with the one pin per year, but each Trophy Fish by Feb. 1 the following year to qualify Trophy Fish/Master Angler application. caught counts toward the Master Angler for a lapel/hat pin. Complete details are available by Award. Anglers must register at fw.ky.gov calling 1-800-858-1549 or online at All applications for Trophy Fish/ to receive their lapel/hat pin and Trophy fw.ky.gov. 27 STATE RECORD FISH PROGRAM

To qualify for the state record WESTERN FISHERY DISTRICT EASTERN FISHERY DISTRICT fish program, fish must be caught in Paul Rister, Murray, (270) 753-3886 Kevin Frey, Prestonsburg, (606) 889-1705 Kentucky waters by a rod and reel or pole and line only. Fish taken on commercial NORTHWESTERN FISHERY DISTRICT SOUTHEASTERN FISHERY DISTRICT gear, by trotlines, gigging, snagging, by Rob Rold or Jeremy Shiflet, Calhoun John Williams or Marcy Anderson hand or bow fishing are not eligible. (270) 273-3117 Williamsburg, (606) 549-1332 Fish need to be weighed on a scale certified for legal trade and witnessed SOUTHWESTERN FISHERY DISTRICT MINOR CLARK FISH HATCHERY by three people must sign the record Eric Cummins, Bowling Green Rod Middleton, Pete Besant or application. The fish must be identified (270) 746-7127 Scott Barrett, Morehead, (606) 783-8650 in person by KDFWR fishery biologist or the manager of Wolf Creek National CENTRAL FISHERY DISTRICT PFIEFFER FISH HATCHERY TROPHY FISH Fish Hatchery and not filleted, gutted or Jeff Crosby or Kathryn Spears Steve Marple, Josh Pennington or cut up. Frankfort, 1-800-858-1549 Noah Nelson, Frankfort Applications for the state record (502) 564-4957 fish program are available by calling NORTHEASTERN FISHERY DISTRICT 1-800-858-1549 or online at fw.ky.gov Tom Timmermann, Morehead or from your District Fisheries Office: (606) 783-8650

SPECIES Weight Caught By Location Date ANCIENT FISH Bowfin 15.08 lbs. Norman Moran, Lexington, KY Green River 05/31/99 Longnose Gar 40 lbs. Kelsie Travis, Jr., Paducah, KY Ohio River 08/08/56 Paddlefish (Spoonbill) 106 lbs. William Chumbler, Calvert City, KY Ohio River 03/23/04 Sturgeon 36 lbs. 8 oz. Barney Frazier, Corbin, KY Lake Cumberland 10/03/54 BLACK BASS Kentucky (Spotted) Bass 7 lbs. 10 oz. A.E. Sellers, Louisville, KY Private lake, Nelson Co. 06/13/70 Largemouth Bass 13 lbs. 10 oz. Dale Wilson, London, KY Wood Creek Lake 04/14/84 Smallmouth Bass 11 lbs. 15 oz. David L. Hayes, Leitchfield, KY Dale Hollow Lake 07/09/55 Coosa Bass 1.21 lbs. Seth Goodin, Smith, KY Martins Fork River 05/25/13 TEMPERATE BASS Striped Bass (Rockfish) 58 lbs. 4 oz. Roger Foster, Somerset, KY Lake Cumberland 12/11/85 Hybrid Striped Bass 20 lbs. 8 oz. Mark Wilson, Louisville, KY Barren River 04/27/91 Lorne Eli, Dawson Springs, KY Kentucky Lake 07/11/43 White Bass 5 lbs. (TIE) B.B. Hardin, Mt. Eden, KY Herrington Lake 06/03/57 Cumberland River, Yellow Bass 1 lb., 6.4 oz. William Hinton, Central City, KY 03/19/09 Lake Barkley tailwaters CARP/SUCKER Bighead Carp 64 lbs. Drew Fulmer, Florence, KY Kentucky Lake 07/19/10 Blue Sucker 8.34 lbs. Stacey L. Boik, Evansville, IN Ohio River 11/22/09 Buffalo (Smallmouth) 55 lbs. Clinton Roby, Waddy, KY Kentucky Lake 03/23/00 Common Carp 54 lbs. 14 oz. Ricky Vance, Paris, KY South Fork, Licking River 03/13/71 Creek Chub 0.59 lbs Joshua Scott, Louisville, KY Otter Creek, Hardin Co. 03/26/06 Golden Redhorse 4 lbs. 5 oz. Leif Meadows, Stanton, KY Red River 04/22/98 Grass Carp 58 lbs. 8 oz. Robert Marsh, Erlanger, KY Cemetary Lake, Kenton Co. 06/17/09 Northern Hog Sucker 1 lb, 12 oz. Larry Salchli, Stanton, KY Slate Creek, Bath Co. 04/07/05 River Redhorse 9 lbs. 1 oz. Denny Hatfield, London, KY Rockcastle River 09/20/03 Silver Carp 9 lbs. 8 oz. Marvin Joe Southard, McHenry, KY Ohio River 08/08/04 28 TROPHY FISH SPECIES (cont.) Weight Caught By Location Date Silver Redhorse 5 lbs. 6 oz. Justin Collins, London, KY Rockcastle River 04/17/10 White Sucker 1 lb. 10 oz. Larry Salchli, Stanton, KY Slate Creek, Montgomery Co. 03/19/98 CATFISH Blue Catfish 104 lbs. Bruce Midkiff, Owensboro, KY Ohio River 08/28/99 Bullhead Catfish 5 lbs. 8 oz. Randy Kirk, Maysville, KY Private Pond, Mason County 07/06/13 Channel Catfish 32 lbs. Kyle Estep, South Point, OH Ohio River 05/26/04 Flathead Catfish 97 lbs. Esker Carroll Green River 06/06/56 White Catfish 3.70 lbs. Steve Lurie, Taylorsville, KY Guist Creek Lake 07/20/07 DRUM Freshwater Drum 38 lbs. Larry Cardwell, Morgantown, KY Green River 06/05/80 HERRING Skipjack Herring 3.10 lbs. Joey Dixon, Elizabethtown, KY Ohio River 04/14/06 MOONEYE Goldeye 2.64 lbs. Mark Smith, Lexington, KY Kentucky River 04/21/01 PERCH Logperch 0.04 lbs. Jonathan Lapham, Glasgow, KY Peters Creek 10/22/05 Sauger 7 lbs. 7 oz. Rastie Andrew, Jamestown, KY Cumberland River 04/28/83 Saugeye 6 lbs. 9 oz. Chuck Kouns, South Shore, KY Ohio River 02/19/98 Walleye 21 lbs. 8 oz. Abe Black, Shaker Heights, OH Lake Cumberland 10/01/58 Yellow Perch 1 lb. 7 oz. Shay Mitchell, Almo, KY Kentucky Lake 03/01/10 PIKE Chain Pickerel 5 lbs. 6 oz. Tommy Thompson, Bardwell, KY Forked Lake, Carlisle Co. 07/08/83 Grass Pickerel 10 oz. Gerald Gallagher, Louisville, KY Wilson Creek, Bullitt Co. 07/17/89 Muskellunge 47 lbs. Sarah Terry, Mt. Sterling, KY Cave Run Lake 11/02/08 Northern Pike 10.53 lbs. Derek Cowden, Corbin, KY Laurel River Lake 10/29/06 Tiger Muskie 19 lbs. 9 oz. Wayne Joslin, Winchester, KY Private lake, Clark Co. 04/25/07 (Muskellunge Hybrid) SUNFISH Bluegill 4 lbs. 3 oz. Phil Conyers, Madisonville, KY Strip Mine Lake, Hopkins Co. 08/05/80 Crappie (White or Black) 4 lbs. 14 oz. Penny Hopper, Crofton, KY Watershed Lake, Christian Co. 05/08/05 Green Sunfish 1 lb. 9.44 oz. David Gibson, Hawesville, KY Farm pond, Hancock Co. 05/20/13 Longear Sunfish 13 oz. Anthony Lynch, Salyersville, KY Strip Mine Pond, Magoffin Co. 06/23/94 Redbreast Sunfish 14 oz. Tim King, Stearns, KY Marsh Creek, McCreary Co. 09/01/97 Redear Sunfish 3 lbs. 1 oz. Betty Truax, Finchville, KY Farm pond, Shelby Co. 05/24/82 Rock Bass 1 lb. 10 oz. H.S. White, Cadiz, KY Casey Creek, Trigg Co. 05/26/75 Warmouth 1 lb. 6.2 oz. John Hoover, Louisville, KY Private pond, Jefferson Co. 07/21/03 TROUT Brook Trout 3.08 lbs. Chris Fugate, Jamestown, KY Cumberland River 05/01/14 Brown Trout 21 lbs. Thomas Malone, Crofton, KY Cumberland River 04/30/00 Lake Trout 5 lbs. 5 oz. John McDonogh, Jeffersontown, KY Cumberland River 04/04/83 Rainbow Trout 14 lbs. 6 oz. Jim Mattingly, Somerset, KY Cumberland River 09/10/72 Note: Line class records are not maintained by the KDFWR.

Bowfishing records The United Bowhunters of Kentucky maintains a state record program for fish harvested by bow and arrow. Visit their website at www.kystatebowfishingrecords.com for details, guidelines and current state records. 29 BOATING BOATING REGULATIONS

INTRODUCTION BOAT REGISTRATION FEES BOATING This publication provides basic Class A Vessels (less than 16’ in length) $19.00 information for most boaters and an- swers the most commonly asked ques- Class 1 Vessels (16’ to less than 26’ in length) $23.00 tions. However, it is not all inclusive. Class 2 Vessels (26’ to less than 40’ in length) $29.00 For further information, please con- Class 3 Vessels (over 40’ in length) $33.00 tact the Division of Law Enforcement, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY Inboard boats (regardless of size) $34.00 40601 or call 1-800-858-1549. Boats propelled by an electric (trolling) motor only $9.00 For emergencies, officers may be contacted by dialing 1-800-252-5378, or The above costs do not include property taxes, clerks fees, titling fees or any other local law enforcement agency or through applicable charges. (301 KAR 6:005) the nearest Kentucky State Police post. One may use marine channel 16 to con- tact a local marina. PROPER DISPLAY OF NUMBERS AND DECALS REGISTRATION

KY 1234 AA (301 KAR 6:001, 6:010) All mechanically powered vessels used primarily in this state must have a Kentucky registration. Boats are regis- tered at the county clerk’s office. Persons may register in the county of their resi- Registration decal dence or the county of principal use. Boat registrations expire April 30 each year. Boats registered in other states may be used for up to 60 consecutive days in KY 1234 AA Kentucky without registering here. All boats operated in Kentucky must have the registration certificate on board. Boats that are rented from a marina or boat livery must have a lease agreement on board. tween letter and number groups: sibility of the purchaser to take the en- DISPLAY OF NUMBER AND DECAL dorsed title to the county clerk and have Correct: KY 1234 AA Once boats are assigned a registra- the boat transferred into the name of the Incorrect: KY1234AA tion number and decals, they must be new owner. This procedure must be done displayed correctly. The number assigned, upon completion of the transaction. and no other, shall be displayed on the Registration decals are to be placed Whenever a vessel is transferred, bow, or forward half, of each side of the within six inches behind (aft) and in line the seller shall, within 15 days, give the vessel, read from left to right, and in a with the registration number. Upon renew- county clerk notice of the transfer of his position to be distinctly visible. The let- al every year, old registration decals are to interest in the vessel. ters and numbers must be of a plain block be removed and the current ones applied. Whenever a vessel is destroyed or design, at least three (3) inches in height, abandoned, the owner shall, within 15 TRANSFER, DESTRUCTION OR and of a color that will provide maximum days, give notice to the county clerk to ABANDONMENT contrast to the background (light num- terminate the registration. The owner bers on a dark hull or vice versa). When ownership of a currently shall remove the numbers and decals 30 There must be a letter size space be- registered boat changes, it is the respon- from the vessel. BOATING BOAT, MOTOR and LAKE USAGE

Reba, Spurlington Lake, check on the skier but still give full at- Bordering waters WMA (excluding Swan Lake), Wash- tention to traffic ahead. There must be burn Lake, Pikeville City Lake. adequate seating for all riders. Kentucky boaters on the Ohio River may also be subject to the laws of Motors larger than 10 HP must Boats towing kites and similar air- Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and the U.S. operate at idle speed at all times on borne devices must: Coast Guard. Beaver Lake, Boltz Lake, Bullock Pen • Have, in addition to the operator, an Lake, Corinth Lake, Cranks Creek observer 12 years or older (mirror will (Herb Smith) Lake, Elmer Davis Lake, Kincaid Lake, , (301 KAR 1:012, 1:015) Shanty Hollow Lake and Swan Lake. ON ALL KENTUCKY FISH Maximum horsepower limits and Idle Speed Only: Carnico Lake, & WILDLIFE-OWNED/ other boat motor and lake usage regula- Greenbo Lake, Pan Bowl Lake, Wil- MANAGED LAKES: tions apply on many small public fish- green Lake and all Peabody WMA lakes ing lakes. (For boat size limits see box including Goose, Island and South. • Boaters must use idle speed on this page.) Lake Malone and : (slowest speed possible to main- No horsepower restrictions on boat MOTOR SIZE RESTRICTIONS: tain maneuverability of a boat) motors. when passing another boat with Operation of electric or internal Guist Creek Lake: Pontoon boat an occupant actively engaged in combustion motors prohibited: Lake maximum length is 24 feet. fishing. Chumley, Dennie Gooch Lake and • The centerline of boats on the Kingdom Come Lake. Note water cannot exceed 22 feet Operation of internal combus- as measured on deck or bow tion motors prohibited: Ballard WMA Horsepower limits on several lakes to stern on all lakes owned or lakes, Benjy Kinman Lake, Bert T. changed after publication of the managed by Kentucky Fish and Combs Lake, Briggs Lake, Carpen- print guide. This version reflects the Wildlife. current regulations. ter and Kingfisher lakes, Carter Caves • On Cedar Creek Lake, Lake State Park Lake (a.k.a. Smoky Valley Beshear and Lake Malone only, Lake), Lebanon City Lake (a.k.a. Fagan WATER-SKIING float boats may have decking Branch Lake), Fishpond Lake, Lincoln and pontoons up to 30 feet; on Homestead State Park Lake, McNeely While this section is titled water- Guist Creek Lake pontoon max Lake, Marion County Lake, Martin skiing, it applies to persons being towed length is 24 feet. There is no County Lake, Metcalfe County Lake, on any device such as knee boards, inner size restriction on canoes. Mauzy Lake, Mill Creek Lake, Lake tubes, etc. Water-skiing is only allowed • Houseboats are not permitted. between sunrise and sunset. Addition- • Personal watercrafts are pro- ally, it is illegal to manipulate skis, surf- hibited on Cedar Creek Lake. AGE RESTRICTIONS boards, etc. while intoxicated or under • Swimming is permitted only in the influence of any other substance that A person must be 12 years or designated areas when a quali- impairs one’s operating ability. fied lifeguard is on duty. older to operate a motorboat (in- Both the operator and skier should cluding personal watercraft) 10 • Skin or scuba diving is not per- be alert to the areas of a lake or river mitted. horsepower or over on Kentucky marked as “no ski.” Persons shall not ski public waters. A person 12-17 • Boat motors without underwa- within 100 feet of a commercial boat ter exhaust are not permitted. years old shall possess a Kentucky dock, a moorage harbor or a swimming Safe Boating Certificate Card or area or within 2,000 feet of a lock or dam. a certificate showing successful Water-skiing permitted as des- Skiers who ski too close to other ignated by signs on Guist Creek completion of a NASBLA ap- boats, docks and obstructions are show- proved boater education course. Lake and Lake Beshear from ing poor judgement. Many of the com- 10:00 a.m. to sunset beginning For information about Kentucky’s plaints officers receive while patrolling Boater Education program, call the third Thursday in May (May the water are those about skiers skiing 21, 2015) through September 30. 1-800-858-1549 or on the inter- too close. net, log on to . Similarly, water-skiing is permit- fw.ky.gov Persons being towed on any device ted on Lake Malone beginning the Persons under 12 years of age must wear a Type I, II or III PFD. Boats must wear a personal floatation third Thursday in May (May 21, (including personal watercraft) towing 2015) through October 31. Wa- device (lifejacket) while in the skiers must have, in addition to the op- open portion of a boat that is ter-skiing and tubing are prohibit- erator of the boat, an observer 12 years ed on Cedar Creek Lake. under way. of age or older or a wide angle rearview mirror mounted so that the operator can 31 not suffice), prohibits swimming at any boat launch- DIVERS DOWN FLAGS • Stay 500 feet from commercial docks ing ramp. Swim in marked and super- Boaters should exercise caution and ramps, vised areas. If you are a nonswimmer or a • Limit the tow rope to 150 feet or less, poor swimmer, wear a PFD. Remember, • Have no more than two persons being PFDs are not just for boaters. towed. Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages when swimming. Alcohol PERSONAL WATERCRAFT greatly reduces a person’s reflexes and The term “personal watercraft” Alpha Flag (left): Blue with a strength when in the water. For persons (PWC) means a vessel which uses an in- silver stripe, displayed on vessel who have had alcoholic beverages a PFD ternal combustion engine to power a jet is the difference between life and death. BOATING with restricted mobility because pump for its primary source of propul- of diving operation. Diver’s Flag Persons who wish to swim a long sion and is designed to be operated by a (right): Red flag at least 12” x 12” distance should swim parallel to the person sitting, standing or kneeling on with diagonal stripe at least three shore instead of across a river or lake. the vessel rather than by a person sitting inches wide, displayed where diver is Boaters don’t normally expect to see or standing inside the vessel. In addition submerged. swimmers in the middle of a lake or to being governed by the same laws that river and may run over them. apply to all boats, the following laws ap- ply to personal watercraft: written permission from the regional di- INFLATABLES • Personal watercraft can only be oper- rector or local wildlife and boating law Air mattresses, inner tubes and oth- ated between sunrise and sunset. enforcement officer assigned to the spe- er similar devices are generally used as • Personal watercraft without self-cir- cific body of water in which the diving is recreational items by persons swimming cling capability must have a lanyard- to take place. or sunbathing. Use of these items should type engine kill switch attached to the Persons diving or submerging with be restricted to designated or generally operator when the craft is underway. the aid of a mechanical breathing appa- recognized swimming areas and not be • Operators and passengers must wear a ratus in an area where boats might be are used in areas of boat traffic. Nonswim- U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal required by law to display the diver’s flag. mers or poor swimmers should not de- flotation device (PFD.) This flag should be put on a buoy, pend on these devices to save their life. Because of their small size and low boat or other floating platform so boat- These items can be punctured and lose profile, operators of PWCs should ex- ers will readily see it. Approaching their buoyancy – wear a PFD! ercise defensive driving. These craft are boats must stay outside of a 100-foot highly responsive and capable of quick radius of the flag. Divers must surface LITTERING turns. In fact, this is part of the fun of within a 50-foot radius unless there is (KRS 433.757) their operation. However, this kind of an emergency. The operator of any motorboat or operation is reckless if done in congested Divers shall not dive in established vessel is responsible for any litter thrown areas of boat traffic. traffic lanes nor interfere with anyone into the water. Litter is not only un- fishing unless emergency operations are sightly, but can be dangerous to humans SKIN AND SCUBA DIVING in progress. and animals. For example, fishing line (301 KAR 1:410, 6:030) discarded into the water can be hazard- Skin or SCUBA diving is prohib- SWIMMING ous to wildlife and to a boat’s lower unit. ited in all lakes owned or managed by Swimming in any lake owned or Animals can be ensnared in the line and the Kentucky Department of Fish and managed by the KDFWR is prohibited die. Fishing line caught on a prop shaft Wildlife Resources, except during emer- except in areas specifically set aside for can cause seal leaks and lower unit fail- gencies, on Greenbo Lake and during swimming at which a qualified lifeguard ure. Trot lines and limb lines can snare salvage operations when the diver has is on duty. Kentucky law specifically animals and other anglers in boats.

BOAT OPERATION

RECKLESS OPERATION surfboard or any water sport device; in the water and turning sharply at The operator of a watercraft is re- • jumping the wake of another craft close range. sponsible for damage caused by negli- in a way that endangers human life, Persons shall not operate a motor- gent operation. The following actions physical safety or property; boat or personal watercraft within 50 are considered reckless operation and are • cutting between a boat and the feet of a commercial vessel and its tow therefore against the law: individual(s) being towed by the boat; that is in operation on a waterway, ex- • weaving through traffic; • crossing the path of another boat cept if the operator of the commercial • following watercraft too closely that is when visibility is obstructed; vessel has given consent. 32 towing an individual on waterskis, a • steering toward an object or individual When operating in a busy area, re- BOATING duce speed and allow plenty of room for should never fish from or stand on lock avoidance maneuvers. Even in areas that and dam structures. are not marked as idle speed, excessive Boaters should be alert for these wake can still be dangerous. Operators structures. Dams are either conventional of larger craft should be aware of the Boil or “low head” type. Conventional dams wake their vessels are throwing. are easily recognizable with their spill- Low ways and power installations. IDLE SPEED Head Kentucky law defines idle speed as Dam RESTRICTED ZONES the “slowest speed possible to maintain (KAR 6:030) maneuverability” of a boat. Generally Kentucky law prohibits boats from speaking for a properly adjusted boat, this LOW HEAD DAMS ARE operating within restricted areas as is the speed when a boat is put into gear DANGEROUS posted above or below navigation, power without advancing the throttle. Wakes generating or flood control dams. Low head dams are usually can capsize small boats or cause damage No fish is worth risking your life. marked with “keep out” buoys or to boats moored at marinas and docks. It Be aware of trespassing and danger “danger” signs above and below. is extremely important that boat operators zones. Wear a PFD when entering any Low head dams pose an even be aware of their speed and the resulting area above or below a dam. greater danger due to the fact wake. Operators are liable for any injuries that they are not as recognizable, or damage caused by their boat’s wake. OPERATING UNDER THE especially when water is flow- Boaters may see buoys or signs that INFLUENCE ing over them. It is this flow of say “No Wake.” This means that boats (KRS 235.240) water over the dam that creates must be at idle speed. It is against the law to operate a a “boil” on the lower side. Boat- boat or vessel including personal water- ers risk almost certain death if LOCKS AND DAMS craft, manipulate water skis, surfboard caught in this turbulence. Boaters in Kentucky may encoun- or other similar device while intoxicated ter lock and dam systems. Generally, or under the influence of any other sub- these will be on the Green, Ohio and stance that impairs one’s driving ability. Kentucky Rivers (for the first four locks nel to avoid personal injury or dam- Any person who operates a vessel on upstream to Frankfort, KY), but a few age to their boat from wakes caused by Kentucky waters is considered to have impoundments have a lock and dam. commercial tows entering or leaving the given consent to a test or tests to deter- Locks are a relatively simple method of locks. Never moor a vessel in the lock mine his alcohol concentration or the raising or lowering boats from one wa- approach channels. presence of other drugs. The tests shall ter level to another. If lockage is desired, Dams associated with the locks be administered at the direction of a law boaters should signal the lock operator can be very dangerous. Below all locks enforcement officer who has probable by using the pull chain on each end of and dams, boat occupants must wear a cause to believe that the operator is in- the lock or call on marine channel 13. personal floatation device (lifejacket) toxicated. An operator refusing the test If the lock is not immediately available, upstream of danger signs and open-di- shall be in violation of the law and sub- boaters should position their vessels a amond buoys or within 150 feet of the ject to the same penalties. safe distance from the approach chan- downstream lock and dam wall. Anglers Anyone who operates a boat, PWC,

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT CHART SMALL CRAFT PRECAUTIONS Body Weight Number of Drinks in a Two Hour Period (in pounds) 12 oz. beer = 5 oz. wine = 1 oz. 80 proof liquor Statistics show that approxi- 100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 mately half the boat-related fa- talities involve boats that are less 120 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 than 16’ in length. These boats 140 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 are usually unstable and can tip 160 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 over, throwing the occupants overboard. Also, these boats can 180 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 be easily swamped, especially if 200 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 used on a large body of water 220 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 where the wind can cause high 240 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 waves. When using such craft, be aware of the hazards. Wearing a BAC to .05% - Be careful. Loss of judgement and coordination. personal floatation device (PFD) BAC .05% to .07% - Abilities impaired. Chance of accident increased. is strongly recommended. BAC .08% and over - Do not operate a boat. High risk of accident, subject to arrest. 33 skis, surfboard or similar device while of alcoholic beverages to the extent that intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of they may unreasonably annoy or endan- UNIFORM STATE 0.08 or higher or while under the influ- ger themselves or others shall be subject WATERWAY MARKING ence of any substance that impairs the to arrest. SYSTEM operator’s driving ability may be subject to fines and possible jail time if convicted. PROHIBITED RIDING Approximately half of boat related Boats Keep Out! DRINKING IN PUBLIC AND fatalities result from falls overboard. Nature of danger PUBLIC INTOXICATION When operating a motorboat above idle may be placed (KRS 222.202) speed the operator or passengers shall not outside crossed Kentucky law specifically prohibits ride on an enclosed bow, outside protec- diamond, e.g., wa- BOATING the drinking of alcoholic beverages in tive railing of a pontoon or houseboat, on terfalls, swim areas or rapids. public places (this excludes establish- a seat which extends six inches above the ments licensed to sell such beverages) plane of the gunwales, nor shall they ride Danger! and the waterways of this state are con- on the sides, back, engine cover, back of Nature of danger sidered public places. seat, or any other obviously dangerous may be indicated Further, in a public place, persons position which could lead to falling over- inside the diamond who are manifestly under the influence board. shape, e.g., rocks, reefs, dams, construction or snags. RULES OF THE ROAD Caution! On the water there are no painted sels must give way to avoid a collision. At Controlled Areas as indicated in circle, lines to mark where boats must go. In or- night, a boat’s navigation lights give an e.g., speed limit, no der to provide an orderly flow of traffic, indication of right of way (see page 36). fishing, no anchor- there are “rules of the road” that boaters The above rules cover most traffic ing, ski-only, slow-no wake, no ski or should learn and practice. situations, but a few other situations ex- no prop boats. Boaters on the water encounter ist. Sailboats under sail have the right of three situations: meeting, crossing and way except when they are the overtaking overtaking. The following diagrams vessel. Rowboats and paddle powered Information Tells directions, should give a clear explanation of who boats have the right of way over motor- distances, places has the right of way (stand-on vessel) boats. All recreational craft should yield such as food, repair, and who must give way (give-way ves- the right of way to large commercial supplies and other sel). However, in an emergency, all ves- craft (towboats, barges). Such vessels non-regulatory messages. have large blind spots and will be unable to see smaller crafts in front of them. MEETING SITUATION On small or narrow bodies Obstruction Marker of water, all traffic should stay to Do not pass between the right of mid-channel and not shore and buoy. “cut corners”. BUOYS Mooring Buoy Buoys are the most common OVERTAKING SITUATION White with reflec- types of navigational aid, and tive blue band. May they serve the same pur- have white light or pose as traffic signs on reflector. the highway. Failure to Give-way vessel Stand-on vessel obey buoys can result overtaking being overtaken in enforcement action, or Channel Marker worse, a loss of property or Keep buoy on right lives. When boating in un- facing upstream. CROSSING Stand-on vessel familiar waters, slow down SITUATION holds course and look for any regulatory Danger zone and speed or channel-marking buoys. Channel Marker 112° Remember that it is possible Keep buoy on left for these buoys to drift out facing upstream. of position. Kentucky law Marker may be prohibits from tying up to green or black. Give-way any buoy except designated 34 vessel mooring buoys. BOATING REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

(301 KAR 6:040 Sect. 4) For each person onboard a vessel, TYPES OF PFDs federal as well as state law requires a TYPE I (right) and TYPE II (far right) Type I, II, or III personal flotation de- These devices are designed, when worn vice (PFD) on all boats. Boats 16 feet properly, to turn a person who is uncon- and over, except canoes and kayaks, must scious and face down in the water to a also carry one Type IV throwable PFD. vertical or slightly backward face up Operators and passengers of personal position. watercraft must wear a PFD. Persons under 12 years of age must wear a PFD while in the open part of a boat that is TYPE III TYPE IV under way. These are special These PFDs purpose devices are designed PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES that include ski to be thrown Kentucky Fish and Wildlife vests, fishing vests to persons in strongly recommends wearing PFDs and float coats. the water who while boating, especially by children and They are not designed can hold on to nonswimmers. In order for PFDs to be to turn a person’s face out them until help legal, the following requirements must of the water, but they do have the same arrives. They are be met: buoyancy as the type I and II PFDs and not designed to be worn, and could • Coast Guard approved: A label with are more comfortable to wear. cause drowning if worn on the back. an approval number will be on the PFD. Check the label on inflatable types of PFDs. Some older models MARINE FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLASSIFICATION meet Coast Guard approval only Coast Guard Dry Chemical UL Listing Foam (gals.) CO2 (lbs.) when worn. Classes (lbs.) • Serviceability: All straps, buckles, B-I 5B 1.25 4 2 zippers, stitching, must be intact and the fabric should not be rotted. Some B-II 6B* 2.5 15 10 PFDs contain airtight bags filled with — 10B none 10 2.5 a fibrous material. Squeeze the bags. — 20B 2.5 50 4.5 - 6 If air escapes, destroy the PFD and replace it with a new one. * UL rating 6B is no longer used. • Size: PFDs must fit properly. Read MINIMUM NUMBER OF the label to determine size and weight B-1 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS restrictions. best fire protection is well main- No Fixed Fire Fixed Fire Vessel/ • Accessibility: PFDs must be readily tained equipment and proper Extinguisher Extinguisher size available for immediate use by all safety habits. System System Installed occupants of a vessel. It is advisable There are fuels other than for each person to try on their PFD gasoline that cause fires. Many Class A 1 0 before departing so that they are fa- houseboats use bottled gas (pro- Class 1 1 0 miliar with the fastening devices and pane) for stoves and other ap- Class 2 2 1 to assure it is adjusted to the person. pliances. Also, many fishermen Class 3 3 2 PFDs shouldn’t be stored in the will use a lantern while fishing at plastic bags in which they were sold. night; if tipped over it can cause This limits access and can promote a fire. rotting. BACKFIRE FLAME FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARRESTERS Kentucky law requires that all Internal combustion en- boats equipped with a petroleum prod- gines may backfire. To safeguard uct (gasoline, kerosene, propane, etc.) against fire, all motorboats with consuming device (engines, lanterns, enclosed engines and engines stoves, etc.) shall have a hand portable originally equipped with a flame fire extinguisher in serviceable condi- arrester, (except outboards and Above: foam, CO2 and dry chemical fire tion and located for immediate use. The diesels) must have an approved extinguishers 35 carburetor backfire flame arrester sys- tem on each carburetor. DISPLAY OF NAVIGATION LIGHTS VENTILATION Class 2 and 3 white sailboats Most fires on a boat are due to igni- Class A and Class 1 tion of fuel vapors. Gasoline is heavier motorboats white than air. It can collect in the bilge or engine compartment and any spark can red ignite it. Therefore, Kentucky law re- red quires boats to have adequate ventilation of areas where flammable vapors can ac- green BOATING cumulate. white green Most boats are equipped with ad- white equate ventilation systems when they come from the factory. Usually, this is Class 2 and 3 motorboats a combination of active and passive Class A and Class 1 sailboats systems. Active systems use electrical blowers to exhaust flammable vapors green red red from the bilge and other areas. Passive green systems are ducts and cowls that venti- late areas when the boat is moving. Al- most all inboards will have an electrical as towing, refer to 33 CFR 83 (Inland be equipped with effective exhaust muf- blower installed in the engine compart- Navigation Rules). fling devices. Usually, boats and motors ment. Operators should run the blower that come direct from the manufacturer for several minutes before starting the Boat B are adequately muffled. However, there engine. If the blower is inoperable it Boat A may be instances of high performance should be repaired or replaced immedi- boats that have been modified by the ately. Many boat fires take place after re- owners that are not in compliance with fueling, so care should be taken to avoid the law. Additionally, there may be fed- spilling fuel in the vessel. eral and/or local regulations restricting boats with an over-the-transom exhaust NAVIGATION LIGHTS system. All vessels when underway between SIGNALING DEVICES sunset and sunrise must display proper MARINE SANITATION DEVICES navigation lights. Navigation lights on Kentucky law states that all boats (KRS 235:420) boats are restricted to the colors of red, 16 feet in length or longer must have a Motorboats with marine toilets are green and white. hand-, mouth- or power-operated sig- not allowed on public waters unless the From sunset to sunrise in an area naling device capable of producing a toilet is equipped with a Type I, II or III where other boats navigate, all vessels at blast for two seconds or more and au- marine sanitation device (MSD.) Type I anchor shall display a steady white light dible for one-half mile for class 1 vessels, and II MSDs chemically treat sewage. visible 360 degrees at all times. Manu- one mile for class two vessels and one Type III MSDs are holding tanks for ally propelled vessels shall carry a white and one-half miles for class three ves- raw sewage. light to display in sufficient time to sels. This does not exempt vessels from Raw sewage shall not be discharged avoid a collision. any other signaling device as may be re- in any public waters. Treated sewage The purpose of the red and green quired by federal law when operating on may be discharged from a marine toi- navigation lights at night is to show if navigable waters of this state. let into legal “discharge” waters. Those your boat is in a meeting, crossing or Navigation law also requires the waters are Barkley and Kentucky lakes, overtaking situation. The red and green following maneuvering and warning Lake Cumberland and any of the major lights must be displayed from sunset to signals: river systems. Type I and II MSDs must sunrise whenever a boat is underway. • One long blast: Warning signal (com- be sealed or locked while the vessel is on They will give some indication of the ing out of slip) “no discharge” waters. size and speed of vessels. The red and • One short blast: Pass on my port side green bow lights are especially helpful (left) in determining right of way in crossing • Two short blasts: Pass on my starboard situations. In the diagram below, boat (right) B sees the green bow light of boat A, • Three short blasts: Engines in reverse and has the right of way to continue on • Five or more blasts: Danger signal course. Boat A sees the red bow light of MUFFLING DEVICES boat B and must stop or pass astern of 36 boat B. In special circumstances, such Kentucky law requires all boats to BOATING ACCIDENTS

(301 KAR 6:030, KRS 235.250) are available from wildlife and boating on the water than on land. Interested per- law enforcement officers or by writing sons should contact their local chapter of REPORTING REQUIREMENTS to Kentucky Department of Fish and the American Red Cross for information If any of the following conditions Wildlife Resources, Division of Law on first aid and CPR training. occur as the result of a boating accident, Enforcement, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, HYPOTHERMIA collision, etc., a Boating Accident Re- Frankfort, KY 40601, or by calling port must be made: 1-800-858-1549. Four elements cause hypothermia • death or disappearance of a person; – cold, moisture, wind and exhaustion. RENDERING AID • injury to a person which requires Symptoms of hypothermia are uncontrol- medical attention or incapacitates An operator of a vessel involved lable shivering, slurred speech, stumbling, that person for 24 hours or more; in a boating accident shall render aid blue skin, decreased heart and breathing • loss or damage to property (including to other persons and vessels as long as rate, weak pulse and unconsciousness. the vessel) in an amount of $500 or it doesn’t endanger his crew, passengers All hypothermia symptoms demand more. or vessel. Also, the operator of any ves- immediate attention. As soon as pos- The operator of a vessel is required sel involved in an accident shall give his sible, a victim of hypothermia should be to complete the report. If the operator is name, address, and identification of his brought out of the weather. Wet cloth- not capable of filing the report and is not vessel, in writing, to any person that is ing should be replaced with dry clothing. the owner of the vessel, then the owner injured or to the owner of any property If the victim shows mild symptoms, get shall be required to fill out a boating ac- that is damaged. them near a fire or other heat source or cident report. put them in a warm sleeping bag. For FIRST AID Note 1: Even if a Law Enforce- victims with advanced symptoms of hy- ment Officer fills out a boating accident This section includes suggestions pothermia, seek immediate medical at- report, this does not exempt the opera- that may save a life. First, boats should tention. Never give alcohol to the victim. tor from filing a report. be equipped with a first aid kit. This kit The best cure for hypothermia is Note 2: The reports filed by op- should be able to provide treatment for prevention. Monitor weather reports erators of vessels are confidential and burns, insect bites, cuts and abrasions. when you plan to be in the outdoors. are not available as public record (KRS Second, boaters should take a first aid Dress in layers and always have foul- 235.250). However, reports made by of- course so they know how to treat victims weather gear handy. ficers are available for review. with sprains, broken bones and shock. FATIGUE Accidents involving death or seri- Third, boaters should know how to ous injury must be submitted to the perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Boaters should be aware of the fac- Division of Law Enforcement within (CPR) in case they encounter victims of tors that induce fatigue while on the 48 hours. All others must be submitted near drowning, heart attack or trauma water. The wind, sun, engine noise and within five days. from boating accidents. In many cases, constant motion of the boat can greatly Boating accident report forms emergency medical help is further away reduce a person’s reaction time.

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Visit youtube.com/kyafield for episodes on demand! 37 DEFINITIONS before sunrise and end one-half hour Commission and approved by legislative after sunset. committees. Daily limit is the maximum number of Release means return of the fish, in the (301 KAR 1:201, KRS 150.010) a particular species or group of species a best possible condition, immediately af- Fishing-related definitions not person may legally keep in a day or have ter removing the hook, to the water from listed here are included in appropriate in possession while fishing. which it was taken in a place where the sections of this guide. Fishing is taking or attempting to take fish’s immediate escape shall not be pre- fish in any manner, whether or not fish vented. Angling means taking or attempting to are in possession. Resident is anyone who has established take fish by hook and line in hand, rod Lake means impounded waters, from permanent and legal residence in Ken- in hand, jugging, set line or sport fishing the dam upstream to the first riffle on the tucky and residing here at least 30 days. trotline. main stem river and tributary streams or Size limit is the legal length a fish must Artificial baits are lures or flies made of as specified in regulation. be if it is in possession. (Fish length wood, metal, plastic, hair, feathers, pre- Length means the distance from the is measured from the tip of the closed served pork rind or similar inert materi- front tip of a fish’s lower jaw with mouth lower jaw to the tip of the tail with fish als and having no organic baits includ- closed to the tip of its tail with the fish laid flat on rule and tail lobes squeezed ing dough bait, putty or paste type baits laid flat on a rule with its tail lobes together.) designed to attract fish by taste or smell. squeezed together. Slot limit means fish within a speci- Authorization number is the number Organic baits are insects, minnows, fish fied minimum and maximum size range assigned to a person in lieu of fishing or eggs, worms, corn, cheese, cut bait or must be released. hunting license when the license is pur- similar substances used as a lure. Single hook is a hook with only one chased over the phone or Internet. Possession limit is the maximum num- point. Black bass includes largemouth, small- ber of unprocessed fish a person may Tenant is any resident sharecropper or mouth, Kentucky (spotted) and Coosa hold after two days or more of fishing. lessee who lives and works on farmland bass. Regulation is a written document ad- owned by his/her landlord. Daylight hours begin one-half hour opted and approved by the KDFWR DEFINITIONS & INDEX

Live Bait...... 10 Navigating INDEX Measuring Fish...... 3 Crossing...... 34 New Laws...... 2 Meeting...... 34 FISHING Nuisance Species...... 22 Overtaking...... 34 Asian Carp...... 22 Parasites and Grubs in Fish...... 17 Equipment Bordering Waters...... 15 Pond Stocking...... 15 Fire Extinguishers...... 35 Brook Trout Streams...... 26 Possession Limits...... 3 Marine Sanitation Devices...... 36 Bullfrogs...... 9 Size and Creel Limits...... 3 Muffling Devices...... 36 Consumption Advisories...... 17 Special Regulations...... 4 Navigation Lights...... 36 Didymo...... 25 Sport Fish List...... 3 Personal Flotation Devices...... 35 FINS Lakes...... 4 State Record Fish...... 28 Signaling Devices...... 36 Fish Species Identification...... 19 Trophy Fish/Master Angler Program.. 27 Ventilation...... 36 Fishing Methods Trout Seasonal Catch and Release...... 23 Idle Speed...... 33 Trotlines, Jugging and Set Lines.....10 Trout Stocking...... 23 Inflatables...... 32 Gigging and Snagging...... 11 Turtles...... 9 Locks and Dams...... 33 Tickling and Noodling...... 11 Zebra Mussels...... 22 Personal Watercraft...... 32 Bow Fishing...... 11 Prohibited Riding...... 34 Spear Fishing...... 11 BOATING Reckless Operation...... 32 Fishing Tournaments...... 16 Accidents Registration Grass Carp...... 9 First Aid...... 37 Display of Numbers and Decals...... 30 Licenses Hypothermia...... 37 Fees...... 30 Fees...... 12 Rendering Aid...... 37 Transfers...... 30 Requirements and Exemptions...... 13 Reporting Requirements...... 37 Restricted Zones...... 34 Senior/Disabled License...... 14 Age Restrictions...... 31 Scuba Diving...... 32 Trout Permit...... 13 Airborne Devices...... 31 Swimming...... 32 Pay Lakes...... 14 Alcohol...... 33 Waterway Markers...... 34 Free Fishing Days...... 14 Boat, Motor and Lake Restrictions.....31 Water Skiing ...... 31 Littering...... 32 Buoys...... 34

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