Kentucky's new license year for fishing and hunting began March 1 and the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has the latest to help anglers get a jump on spring fishing opportunities.
The 2023-24 Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide summarizes pertinent regulations. It's available on the department's website (fw.ky.gov) and wherever fishing licenses are sold.
Jeff Ross, the department's assistant director of Fisheries, suggests anglers keep a hard copy of the guide in the boat or vehicle for reference in cases where cell phone use isn't available.
The guide details new regulations, including for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Ross explained simplification and standardization are the main benefits.
Fisheries managers use protective slot limits to improve bass populations in lakes and streams. On waterbodies with the protective slot limit, only black bass under 12 inches or longer than 15 inches may be kept. Fish measuring within the protective slot length range must be released immediately.
Most daily limits for black bass are standardized to six fish and some modifications of minimum size limits for black bass are also now in effect.
Other new regulations affect muskellunge minimum size limits, trout streams, bow fishing, gigging and snagging. Check the guide for details and locations where the new regulations apply.
The annual Fishing Forecast details anticipated fishing for the coming year for popular species in various waterbodies around Kentucky, based on fish population sampling by fisheries biologists and other factors.
The Fishing Forecast makes a great resource to plan fishing trips in 2023 and is available on the department's website to view and download.
This year, the rating system for the Fishing Forecast changed to stars, with five-star being the best.
"The new rating system is designed to match the species ratings in the new Fish Boat KY smartphone app," Ross said.
Sponsored by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and developed in partnership with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, the new Fish Boat KY app now is available for download from the iTunes app store or Google Play Store.
The app will help more anglers find waterbodies, boat ramps and other water access on the fly.
The Fish Boat KY app also helps anglers find Fishing in Neigborhoods lakes. They are located near population centers and receive special stockings of trout and catfish.
Remember that the Kentucky Fishing license year ended Feb. 28. Anglers in Kentucky now must purchase 2023-24 fishing licenses. Licenses and permits can be purchased online via fw.ky.gov and in person at various locations throughout the commonwealth.
Anglers who are required to have a fishing license and intend to keep trout must have a trout permit. Individuals 16 years or older fishing the Cumberland River from the Wolf Creek Dam downstream to the Tennessee state line, including tributary streams up to the first riffle and all of Hatchery Creek, must possess a state trout permit. The permit is included in the resident Sportsman's, Senior and Disabled sportsmen's licenses.
