Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to host public meetings for input on boat dock, shoreline use regulations on department-owned lakes

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 16, 2026) — The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources regulates boat docks and shoreline uses for 11 department-owned lakes it manages through a permit system.

Department officials are planning to recommend amending these permit regulations for its lakes and will hold a series of public meetings to explain the current system and seek public input on potential changes. Permits are necessary to construct a boat dock or encroach upon the department-owned buffer zones around these state-owned lakes.

The next public meeting will concern Beaver, Elmer Davis and Guist Creek lakes in central Kentucky. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. (EST) Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Capital City Christian Church, 15 Locust Drive, Frankfort, KY in the Main Worship Center. Parking will be available on the upper-level lot. Those with property interests in the area, or users of these lakes, are encouraged to participate.

Beaver Lake is in Anderson County. Elmer Davis Lake is in Owen County. Guist Creek Lake is in Shelby County.

The regulation for discussion is 301 KAR 1:016, which governs boat docks and shoreline use activities at the subject lakes. A Guide for Construction on KDFWR Lakes and Land Buffer Areas is a summarization of the regulations in a more user-friendly format and can be found on the Access Structure and Private Boat Docks - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife webpage on the department’s website (fw.ky.gov).

Those unable to attend public meetings may still provide comments to the Boat Dock/Shoreline Use Working Group. Written comments may be directed to “Boat Dock/Shoreline Use Public Comment” at Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601, or by email with “Boat Dock/Shoreline Use Public Comment” in the subject line to fwboatdocks@ky.gov. Please send public comments to arrive by Friday, April 10.

Commenters should include their first and last name, county and state of residence, angler or landowner designation, and organization represented with position held in the organization, if applicable.

A public meeting was held on Feb. 3 in Dry Ridge for public input on Boltz, Bullock Pen, Corinth and Kincaid lakes in northern Kentucky. Future meetings are planned for Carpenter, New Kingfisher and Old Kingfisher lakes in Daviess County, and Lake Malone in Muhlenberg, Logan and Todd counties. Dates and locations will be announced.

Final recommendations incorporating public input will be presented to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission at a future meeting for further action.​