An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Here is your one-stop shop to discover and download the latest edition of our Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Regulation Summaries Guides. Each guide provides a SUMMARY of the latest rules and regulations to help keep every hunter and angler safe and legal during the outdoor seasons.
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Beginning in January 2026, Kentucky will implement an inflation-based system to adjust its license and permit fees during even-numbered years. Pricing will be adjusted based on the combined Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of the last two years. The CPI is the national measure of inflation calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The new system adds transparency and avoids sudden and substantial rate increases. This will help the department maintain programs such as fish stocking, wildlife management, and research by keeping up with costs while keeping the amount of increase lower.
Check out the latest issue of the Kentucky Fall Hunting & Trapping Guide (2025-26) - Regulations Summary.
Deer Hunting:
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Zone:
To continue monitoring for the presence of CWD in Kentucky, special hunting restrictions apply to the CWD Surveillance Zone. This includes the following changes:
For more information, including live updates, please consult the Chronic Wasting Disease pages.
Youth-only Modern Gun Season Expanded:
Bear Hunting:
New Bear Zone 3. Clinton and Wayne counties form a new Bear Zone 3. Season dates are the same as Zone 2, except for an expanded archery/crossbow season.
Migratory Bird Hunting:
Dove Decoy Restriction: Dove hunters may not use decoys on department-controlled lands during September.
Waterfowl Hunting:
New Season Information: Teal hunting season has been reduced to five days (now Sept. 20-24); The daily harvest limit for pintail ducks is now three birds.
Public Lands:
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Check out the latest issue of the Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (2026- 27) - Regulations Summary.
También está disponible para descargar una edición en Español.
Kentucky Bordering States Reciprocal Fishing Agreements Updates:
Reciprocal fishing agreements with surrounding states concerning bordering waters are back in place. For the latest information, please check our Reciprocal Fishing Agreements page.
Clear Fork, Gasper River (Logan and Warren Counties):
Catch-and-release: Remove the catch-and-release-only regulation for this stream. Clear Fork is now under statewide regulations for all species.
Kentucky River WMA-Boone Tract (Henry County):
Sunfish and Catfish: Removed the 15-fish daily limit on sunfish and 4-fish daily limit on catfish. All lakes and ponds are now under statewide regulations for all species.
Nolin River Lake (Grayson, Edmonson, and Hart Counties):
Crappie: The minimum size limit for crappie is now 10 inches.
Rockcastle River and tributaries:
Walleye: There is now a 2-fish daily limit and an 18-inch to 26-inch protective slot limit on walleye. Walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released.
Rough River Lake (Breckinridge and Grayson Counties):
Crappie: The crappie minimum limit is now 10 inches.
New Licence and Permit Fees:
The new system adds transparency and avoids sudden and substantial rate increases. This will help the department maintain programs such as fish stocking, wildlife management, and research by keeping up with costs while keeping the amount of increase lower.
Nontraditional Fishing Regulations:
Aircraft Restrictions: Anglers may not use aircraft to take fish.
Fishing Guide
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Check out the latest issue of theKentucky Spring Hunting Guide (March - June 2025)- Regulations Summary.
2025 KY Spring Hunting Quick Reference:
Need Kentucky Hunting Season information quickly? Download the 2025 KY Spring Hunting Quick Reference for a condensed 1-page summary of the 2025 Spring Hunting Season information. For a more extensive Regulations Summary, download the 2025 Spring Hunting Guide. If you have additional questions, contact our Information Center at 1-800-858-1549.
Nonresident Licenses and Permit Fees Increased:
Nonresident License and Permit fees have been increased for the 2025-26 Season:
Squirrel Hunting:
Spring Squirrel Hunting Season has changed:
Statewide spring squirrel season runs from the third Saturday in May (May 17, 2025) through the third Sunday in June (June 15, 2025).
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Quick Reference
Check out the latest issue of the Kentucky Hunting Guide for Migratory Birds and Waterfowl (2025-26) - Regulations Summary.
Dove Hunting:
The use of decoys, both motorized and static, is prohibited on public dove fields before Oct. 1.
Dove Field Locations Can Change
The 2025-26 Kentucky Dove Fields locations and information are subject to change. The field information will be updated as it is received. Fields are also subject to change based on weather conditions. Please check the Public Doves Field page before heading out into the field.
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Kentucky manages wildlife for conservation and provides hunters, anglers, and outdoors enthusiasts with exciting experiences in the field. As part of its management strategy, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources sets seasons, bag limits, hunting areas, and other regulations based on science, research, and input from the people who enjoy using these resources. Our guides are a SUMMARY of hunting, fishing, boating, and trapping regulations. These guides are intended solely for informational use. It is not a reprint of any referenced statute or regulation and should not be used as such.
Questions about the information in these guides should be directed to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at 1-800-858-1549 BEFORE engaging in the referenced activities.
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A person shall not enter upon the lands of another to hunt, fish or trap without the oral or written permission of the landowner, tenant or person who has the authority to grant permission. Those who fail to obtain permission are subject to arrest and prosecution. Railroad tracks and rights of way are privately owned property and permission to hunt, fish or trap must be obtained prior to entry. (KRS 150:092)