KY: Kentucky Dept Fish and Wildlife -

This guide is current March 2006 through February 2007. It is an accurate summary of the laws regarding fishing and boating. It is not a reprint of any Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) or Kentucky Administrative Regulation (KAR) in its entirety and should not be used as such. If you have questions regarding the information in this publication, contact the KDFWR. Numbers listed under section headings in this guide refer to the pertinent regulations and statutes. Complete KAR and KRS can be referenced at http://www.lrc.state.ky.us.

A statewide 20 fish daily creel limit and 40 fish possession limit on redear sunfish.

A statewide aggregate daily creel limit of 6 with a 12 fish possession limit on sauger, walleye and their hybrids (except the Ohio River refer to Special Fishing Regulations Section).

A statewide aggregate daily creel limit of 15 on white bass, yellow bass and hybrid striped bass with a 30 fish possession limit. No more than 5 white bass or hybrid striped bass in the daily creel limit may be greater than 15 inches long.

Limb lines, set lines and jug lines are prohibited on any state owned or managed lake under 500 acres in size (the waterbodies on Ballard, Swan and Peal Wildlife Management Areas are exempt from this rule).

Jug lines and limb lines are now prohibited on Bullock Pen, Elmer Davis, Kincaid, Greenbo and Carter Caves lakes.

There is a statewide 2 fish daily creel limit on paddlefish for snagging (except in the Cumberland River below Barkley Dam and the Tennessee River below Kentucky Dam).

Big Bone Creek ( Boone County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used.

Cave Run Lake : Gigging and snagging is prohibited in the main lake and all tributary streams to the first riffle.

Chimney Top Creek, including Right Fork Chimney Top Creek ( Wolfe County ): A 16-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish daily creel limit for brown trout and only artificial baits may be used.

Clear Creek ( Bell County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used.

Cumberland River ( Lake Barkley tailwater): Snagging only permitted downstream of the U.S. 62 bridge with a daily creel limit of 8 paddlefish. Bow anglers may now fish up to 200 yards below Barkley dam.

Cumberland River from Wolf Creek Dam to Tennessee state line: Trout stocking dates will no longer be announced.

Lake Malone : There is a 150-horsepower limit on boat motors except boats with up to 200 horsepower can be used from the first weekend after Labor Day through the first weekend prior to Memorial Day.

Pikeville City Lake ( Pike County ): All largemouth bass caught must be immediately released.

Tennessee River ( Kentucky Lake Tailwater): The area from Kentucky Dam to the new U.S. 62 bridge will be open to snagging 24 hours per day from January 1 through May 31. From June 1 through December 31, the area is open to snagging from sunset to sunrise (local time). The area of the Tennessee River from the new U.S. 62 bridge to the I-24 bridge is closed to snagging year round. The area from the I-24 bridge to the confluence with the Ohio River is open to snagging year round. There is now a daily creel limit of 8 fish in aggregate and shall not exceed the daily creel limit for any sport fish in which the creel limit is under 8 fish per day. All fish snagged, except shad or herring, must be kept and counted toward the daily creel limit. Snagging must cease if any sport fish creel limit is attained. Bow anglers may fish up to 200 yards below Kentucky Dam.

Need A Place to Fish?

Check out new fishing information on waterbodies all over Kentucky by going to http://fw.ky.gov/waterbody.aspx . Anglers may search lakes, rivers and creeks for boat ramps and access points, what species are available and maps of how to get there plus other useful information.

Also, log on to fw.ky.gov to find the 2006 Fishing Forecast found at http://fw.ky.gov/fishingforecast06.asp . The Fishing Forecast details the anticipated fishing success for each species in the major waterbodies of Kentucky based on population samples conducted by KDFWR fisheries biologists.

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.

** No more than 5 fish in the daily creel limit may be more than 15 inches long.

Statewide size and creel limits apply to all Kentucky waters, public and private, except some waters have different limits (see, "Special Fishing Regulations".) The Kentucky Trout Waters information is now incorporated into this guide. Please see page ____.

Measure all fish from the tip of the lower jaw (closed) to the tip of the tail with fish laid flat on rule with tail lobes squeezed together. Undersized fish must be returned immediately to the waters from which they were taken in the best possible physical condition.

A Kentucky (spotted) bass is legally defined as any black bass, except the smallmouth, with a patch of teeth on its tongue. A smallmouth bass does not have a horizontal stripe. It is generally a brownish color with vertical markings.

The public waters listed below have different size and/or creel limits than statewide regulations allow. Statewide size and creel limits apply unless otherwise mentioned below. Special boating regulations are listed in the Boating section of this guide.

Some privately owned waters may have special size and creel limits as posted by signs. Always ASK FIRST before entering privately owned land.

Addington WMA: See Starfire WMA

Bark Camp Creek ( Whitley County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used.

Barren River Lake : The boundaries of Barren River Lake are from the dam upstream to the Highway 100 bridge, Long Creek to the Highway 100 bridge, Beaver Creek to the Highway 1297 bridge, Skaggs Creek to the Matthews Mill Road bridge and Peter Creek to the Peter Creek Road bridge.

LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS -- 15-inch size limit except 1 fish in the daily limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.

Beaver Lake ( Anderson County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Beaver Creek ( Wayne County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 in the section of Beaver Creek from the Hwy. 90 bridge upstream to the Hwy. 200 bridge shall be immediately released. Only artificial baits may be used.

Bert Combs Lake ( Clay County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Big Bone Creek ( Boone County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used.

Boltz Lake ( Grant County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Briggs Lake ( Logan County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

MUSKELLUNGE –- 40-inch minimum size limit, one fish daily limit

Bullock Pen Lake (Grant and Boone Counties ): Jug and limb lines prohibited.

Cane Creek ( Laurel County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period.

Carpenter Lake ( Daviess County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Carter Caves State Park Lake (also called Smokey Valley Lake ): Fishing during daylight hours only. Jug and limb lines prohibited.

Casey Creek ( Trigg County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be released immediately and only artificial baits may be used.

Cave Run Lake : Gigging and snagging prohibited in the main lake and all tributaries up to the first riffle.

LARGEMOUTH BASS –- 13 to 16-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass between 13 and 16 inches in length must be released immediately.

BLUEGILL AND REDEAR SUNFISH (shellcracker) –- 30 fish daily limit, singly or combined

Chimney Top Creek: ( Wolfe County ): A 16-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish daily creel limit for brown trout and only artificial baits may be used.

Clear Creek ( Bell County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used.

Corinth Lake ( Grant County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Cumberland River, including Hatchery Creek, below Lake Cumberland from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee state line:

BROWN TROUT –- 20-inch size limit, 1 fish daily limit, also applies to all tributary streams.

RAINBOW TROUT – 15 to 20-inch protective slot limit. All trout caught between 15 and 20 inches must be immediately released. Five fish daily limit, only one rainbow trout may be longer than 20 inches. Also applies to all tributary streams.

All anglers must possess a trout permit on this portion of Cumberland River . This also includes Hatchery Creek and all tributaries up to the first riffle.

Cumberland River from Barkley Lake Dam downstream to confluence with Ohio River :

Snagging only permitted downstream of U.S. 62 bridge with a daily creel limit of 8 fish. Harvesting of sportfish by snagging is prohibited.

Special fishing regulations are in effect on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park . For complete fishing information on this area contact: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park , PO Box 1848 , Middlesboro , KY 40965 , phone (606) 248-2817.

BLACK BASS CREEL -- includes largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky (spotted) bass -- 5 fish daily limit on black bass singly or combined, only two of which may be smallmouth bass.

SMALLMOUTH BASS – 16 to 21-inch protective slot limit. One fish over 21 inches and one fish under 16 inches may be kept daily.

RAINBOW and LAKE TROUT -- April 1-Oct. 31: no size limit, 7 fish daily limit (only 2 may be lake trout). Nov.1-March 31: 22-inch size limit, 2 fish daily limit, singly or combined.

Dix River from Herrington Lake Dam downstream for two miles: Fishing with artificial lures or flies only.

Dog Fork ( Wolfe County ): Only artificial bait with a single hook shall be used. BROOK TROUT shall be immediately released.

East Fork Clarks River ( Calloway County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 on the section of East Fork, Clarks River from Bee Creek upstream to the Old Salem Road bridge shall be immediately released. Only artificial baits may be used.

East Fork Indian Creek ( Menifee County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial bait shall be used during this period.

Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County from confluence of North and South forks downstream to Kentucky River :

LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS – 12 to 16-inch protective slot limit. Largemouth and smallmouth bass between 12 and 16 inches long must be immediately released. Daily limit of 6 may include no more than 2 fish longer than 16 inches.

Elk Spring Creek ( Wayne County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used.

Elmer Davis Lake ( Owen County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Jug and limb lines prohibited.

LARGEMOUTH BASS –- 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All black bass between 12 and 15 inches in length must be released immediately.

LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS –- 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth and smallmouth bass between 12 and 15 inches long must be released immediately.

UPPER GAME FARM LAKE : Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS -- 15-inch size limit, 3 fish daily limit, 6 fish possession limit.

Only children 12 years of age and younger may fish, 3 fish daily limit regardless of species.

Greenbo Lake ( Greenup County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Jug and limb lines prohibited.

Special fishing regulations are in effect for ponds and small lakes within Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. For complete fishing information on this area, anglers should contact: Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond, KY 42231, phone (270) 924-2000.

Left Fork, Beaver Creek ( Floyd County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be released immediately and only artificial baits may be used.

Lick Creek ( Simpson County ): All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be released immediately and only artificial baits may be used.

Lincoln Homestead State Park Lake ( Washington County ): Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

McNeely Lake ( Jefferson County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Middle Fork, Red River ( Powell County ): Within the Natural Bridge State Park, all trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used.

LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS -- 15-inch size limit, except 1 fish in the daily limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.

Lake upper boundary extended to the Wheelers Mill Road bridge in the Nolin River arm and to the Hwy. 728 bridge in the Bacon Creek arm (formerly defined as first riffle upstream in Bacon Creek and Nolin River ).

WALLEYE, SAUGER and their HYBRIDS -- no size limit, 10 fish daily limit, singly or combined.

WHITE BASS, YELLOW BASS, STRIPED BASS and their HYBRIDS -- 30 fish daily limit, only 4 fish in daily limit may be 15 inches or longer.

Otter Creek ( Meade County ): All trout caught in Fort Knox Military Reservation and in Otter Creek Park from October 1 through March 31 shall be released immediately and only artificial baits may be used. Fort Knox Military Reservation requires the purchase of a $10 permit to fish and is closed to fishing on Tuesdays. Anglers must check-in with the Fort Knox Hunt Control Office at (502) 624-2712 before each day’s fishing. There is a one-mile section of Otter Creek as posted by signs in Fort Knox Military Reservation where trout fishing is open to statewide regulations.

Paint Creek ( Johnson County ): 16-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish daily creel limit on trout from the KY 40 bridge downstream to the first U.S. 460 bridge crossing and only artificial baits may be used.

Parched Corn Creek ( Wolfe County ): Only artificial bait with single hook shall be used. BROOK TROUT shall be immediately released.

Fishing open March 16 through October 14, during daylight hours only. In addition to a fishing license, a $12.50 user permit is required of persons age 16 and over while on Peabody WMA. Permits can be purchased where fishing licenses are sold.

LARGEMOUTH BASS –- 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches must be released immediately.

Poor Fork and its tributaries ( Letcher County ): Downstream to the first crossing of Highway 932, only artificial bait with single hook shall be used. BROOK TROUT shall be immediately released.

Reba Lake ( Madison County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Rock Creek, ( McCreary County ): From Bell Farm Bridge upstream to Tennessee state line, all trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial bait shall be used during this period.

LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS -- 15-inch size limit except 1 fish in the daily limit 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long.

Shanty Hollow Lake ( Warren County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Shillalah Creek, ( Bell County ): Outside the Cumberland Gap National Park as posted, only artificial bait with single hook shall be used. BROOK TROUT shall be immediately released.

Spurlington Lake ( Taylor County ): Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Starfire WMA (formerly known as Addington WMA): Starfire WMA is now closed to public fishing access.

Swift Camp Creek (Clifty Wilderness, Wolfe County ): All trout caught from October 1 through May 31 shall be released immediately and only artificial baits may be used.

Lake upper boundary extended to Dry Dock Road on Salt River (formerly defined as first riffle upstream in Salt River ). The area east of Van Buren Boat Ramp as marked by buoys and signs is closed to all hunting, fishing, boating and trespassing (except for quota deer hunts) November 1 through the last day of February, except the area between Van Buren Boat Ramp and the Hwy. 248 bridge is open to fishing November 1 through November 14.

Tennessee River from Kentucky Lake Dam downstream to confluence with Ohio River :

The area from Kentucky Dam to the new U.S. 62 bridge will be open to snagging 24 hours per day from January 1 through May 31. From June 1 through December 31, the area is open to snagging from sunset to sunrise. The area of the Tennessee River from the new U.S. 62 bridge to the I-24 bridge is closed to snagging year round. The area from the I-24 bridge to the confluence with the Ohio River is open to snagging year round. There is now a daily creel limit of 8 fish in aggregate and shall not exceed the daily creel limit for any sport fish in which the creel limit is under 8 fish per day. Snagging must cease if any sport fish daily creel limit is attained. All fish snagged, except shad or herring, must be kept and counted toward the daily creel limit.

SPORT FISHING LICENSES & PERMIT FEES

(301 KAR 3:022; KRS 150.225)

Type of License/Permit RESIDENT NONRESIDENT

Annual Combination Hunting/Fishing 22.50 *

Senior/Disabled Combination Hunting/Fishing** 5.00 *

Annual Resident Fishing 15.00 35.00

Trout Permit 10.00 10.00

Joint Husband/Wife Annual Fishing 27.00 *

1 Day Fishing 6.00 7.00

2 Day Fishing 12.00 14.00

Nonresident 3 Day Fishing 21.00

Nonresident 15 Day Fishing 25.00

Sportsman’s License ** 80.00 *

(includes combination hunting/fishing, statewide

deer permit, all spring and fall turkey permits,

state waterfowl permit & trout permit)

Elk Quota Hunt Application Permit 10.00 10.00

(avail. thru May)

Peabody WMA User Permit 12.50 12.50

Land Between the Lakes (LBL) User Permit 20.00 20.00

* Not available

** Peabody, Addington and LBL user permits and elk quota hunt application permit not included.

Annual license/permit authorization numbers are valid from the date of purchase through the last day in February. New licenses are required annually March 1. A temporary fishing license is valid for the period shown on the license. (301) KAR 3:022

Fishing season is open year-round in Kentucky , except on waterfowl refuges and as otherwise noted in this guide. Some waters have more restrictive limits than the statewide size and creel limits, check special fishing regulations section for details. Always ASK FIRST before entering privately owned land.

License and Permit Fees

BUYING LICENSES & PERMITS

Kentucky fishing (and hunting) licenses and permits can be purchased from more than 1,000 locations throughout the Commonwealth. Most Wal-mart, K-mart, county court clerk offices and outdoor sporting goods stores sell licenses. A complete list of license retailers can be found on the internet at fw.ky.gov.

Unless license exempt, anglers must purchase and carry the correct type of fishing license and/or permit while fishing. Anglers who purchase a “paper” license must fill in their Signature, Address, City, State, Zip Code, Eye color, Hair color, Sex, Height and Weight in the blanks provided on the license prior to fishing.

Licenses and permits, in the form of a license authorization number can also be purchased TOLL-FREE by phone 24-hours a day, or on the internet. Authorizations numbers serve as proof of buying a license, and must be retained in the angler’s possession, in addition to a PICTURE ID while fishing.

2006 Kentucky Sport Fishing and Boating Guide

Section 1

Go to Section 2

SPORT FISHING LICENSES & PERMIT FEES

License and Permit Fees

BUYING LICENSES & PERMITS