For immediate release

Stanford, KY, May 21, 2003 - Numerous state and local officials and on-lookers were on hand Wednesday for a release of fish at Cedar Creek Lake outside Stanford. Cedar Creek is Kentucky’s newest public fishing lake owned and managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR).

KDFWR officials announced today that the $8.5 million, 784-acre lake would be managed as a trophy bass lake beginning in March of 2004.

“This has been a long-term project for us, but I believe it will have untold benefits for our local anglers and the economy of this region,” said Frank Brown, KDFWR Sixth District Commissioner from Richmond.

“We’ve designed this as a lake for fishermen, and are providing some unique opportunities for boat and bank anglers you won’t find elsewhere,” said Brown.

Houseboats and personal watercraft are not permitted on Cedar Creek Lake, and a 300-foot buffer zone created around the shoreline means anglers can fish from the bank anywhere they like. No shoreline structures are permitted so the lake can be maintained in a more natural state.

KDFWR fisheries personnel have created numerous fish attractor sites in the lake, which should assist fishermen in being successful.

Currently, there is a 15-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass and a three fish daily creel limit. (In 2004, the size limit will increase to 20 inches and there will be a one-fish daily limit on bass.) A nine-inch size limit and 15 fish daily creel limit apply to crappie. Bluegill and redear sunfish anglers can keep up to 30 per day, and up to four channel catfish can be kept per day.

Anglers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the 2003 Kentucky Sport Fishing & Boating Guide, published by the KDFWR, from license outlets or by calling (800) 858-1549 weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also get fishing laws from the agency’s website at fw.ky.gov.