Kentucky Fish and Wildlife recently amended regulations

​FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2025) - In accordance with KRS 150.025, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is providing updated information about proposed fish and wildlife-related regulation amendments that have received final legislative approval and are now in effect.

​​​The following is an overview of changes:

Chapter 1 – Fish

301 KAR 1:001. Definitions for 301 KAR Chapter 1.

This administrative regulation is necessary to avoid confusion when interpreting the meaning of terms used in 301 KAR Chapter 1.

​​​This amendment adds definitions for “Gill net” and “Trammel net”, which are sampling gears used while commercial fishing. The phrase “commercial fisherman” was changed to “commercial fisher” throughout the regulation as well. These definitions will help clarify the specifications of each gear type and assist in enforcement of commercial fishing regulations.

​​​Effective Nov. 5, 2024.

301 KAR 1:410. Taking of fish by nontraditional fishing methods.

This administrative regulation establishes the procedures for taking sport and rough fish by nontraditional fishing methods and is necessary to effectively manage the fish populations of Kentucky and to provide for reasonable recreational fishing opportunities.

This amendment clarifies the dates when it is illegal to possess a gig, adds a shovelnose sturgeon possession limit of two fish, adds a possession limit of two fish for sportfish taken by trot line, jug line, or set line, requires sport fishing trotlines to be tagged at both ends with the angler’s customer identification number, and prohibits hand grabbing on lakes less than 500 acres owned or managed by the department, except Ballard, Peale, and Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lakes in Ballard County. This language conforms to restrictions used in the language of 301 KAR 1:082. Frog season; limits.

​​​Effective Nov. 7, 2024.

Chapter 5 – Licensing

301 KAR 5:022. License, tag, and permit fees.

This administrative regulation establishes fees and terms for licenses, permits, and tags sold by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and is necessary for the department to establish reasonable license fees, permit terms, and the expiration dates of licenses and permits.

This amendment creates a resident and nonresident experimental commercial fishing methods program permit that is tiered into a tier I and tier II category. It also moves the fish transportation permit to the correct section based on KRS 150.180(6). This amendment would increase nonresident hunting license by $10, increase nonresident deer permit by $50, and increase nonresident spring and fall turkey permits by $25. Amended language will also clarify provisions for the youth sportsman’s license.

Effective Nov. 5, 2024.

For updated information about proposed and recently enacted amendments to administrative regulations, visit fw.ky.gov.

Another way to stay abreast of changes to administrative regulations is to sign up with RegWatch, a free service that enables users to register to be notified of changes to existing administrative regulations or to receive notice of newly-proposed regulations. Notifications are sent for four years after initial sign-up. More information about the service is available via the KAR FAQs online at legislature.ky.gov​.