Administrative Regulations

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 for 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. (See: 301 KAR 1:001.)

This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for obtaining a permit to propagate aquatic organisms and the associated requirements for all permit holders and is necessary to establish minimum standards for fisheries propagation permit holders to help conserve native aquatic resources. This amendment further clarifies the department may deny a propagation permit of aquatic organisms that are determined to be potentially damaging to Kentucky’s native ecosystems. It also cleans up language pertaining the KRS 13B hearing process. (See: 301 KAR 1:115.)

This administrative regulation controls the transportation of fish, fish eggs, live bait and other aquatic organisms into, through, and within the state and is necessary to protect the resident fish populations of Kentucky by preventing the unwanted spread of invasive aquatic organisms or diseases. This amendment clarifies the department may deny a transportation permit for the transportation of aquatic organisms that are determined to be potentially damaging to Kentucky’s native ecosystems. A non-substantive change was also made to the material incorporated by reference. (See: 301 KAR 1:125.)

This administrative regulation sets forth the conditions and provisions for a special commercial fishery using gill and trammel nets at Kentucky and Barkley lakes and is necessary to specify the waters open to, and other restrictions on the use of, gill and trammel nets at Kentucky and Barkley lakes. This amendment addresses a cleanup where “The Monthly Report of Commercial Fish Harvest in Kentucky” had been revised multiple times since 2008 (2014, 2019, and 2023 (submitted to LRC in December) and changes ​had been accounted for in 301 KAR 1:155. However, the reference to the same document in this administrative regulation was never changed and still refers to the 2008 document which is no longer being used. In addition, this amendment removes the definition section due to the creation of 301 KAR 1:001, which contains definitions for all 301 KAR 1 regulations. (See: 301 KAR 1:140.)

This administrative regulation establishes the legal methods that may be used by commercial fishers to harvest rough fish and is necessary to specify the types of legal gear that may be used by commercial fishers to harvest rough fish from waters open to commercial fishing. This amendment addresses several concerns about the current use of trotlines for commercial fishing, including requiring the tagging of trotlines at both ends and every 100 feet, reducing single trot line length from 6000 feet to 1000 feet, and requiring commercial trot lines to be set at least three feet under the surface of the water. In addition, the definitions section for this regulation was removed due to the creation of 301 KAR 1:001 which contains definitions for all 301 KAR 1 regulations. (See: 301 KAR 1:146.)

This administrative regulation establishes the areas where commercial fishing is allowed and is necessary to manage the commercial harvest of fish in Kentucky by establishing the waters open to commercial fishing. This amendment removes several creeks and rivers from the list of waters open to commercial fishing due either having no or very few records of commercial harvest in the last decade. In addition, due to the full removal of Lock and Dam 6 (previous upper boundary) and partial removal of Lock and Dam 5, this amendment sets a new upper boundary for commercial fishing on the Green River at Lock and Dam 4. Finally, this amendment closes a portion of Lake Cumberland (upstream from the confluence of the Rockcastle River on the Cumberland River Arm) to commercial fishing due to numerous conflicts between recreational users and commercial fishers and potential detrimental effects on Lake Sturgeon. (See: 301 KAR 1:150.)

This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for the Invasive Carp and Scaled Rough Fish Harvest Program and Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Pro1gram and is necessary to provide two important mechanisms for the removal of invasive carp from waters critical to sport fishing and recreational boating. This amendment adds the eligibility and participation requirements for the new voluntary Experimental Commercial Fishing Methods Program. This program allows commercial fishers to use special commercial fishing gear and methods to further the goal of invasive carp harvest in mass quantities. This amendment also removes the definitions section due to the creation of 301 KAR 1:001. Definitions for 301 KAR Chapter 1. Finally, this amendment changes all references to “Asian carp” to “invasive carp”.

This administrative regulation establishes commercial fishing requirements, protects certain species from overharvest, and regulates the buying and selling of roe-bearing species of rough fish. The regulation is necessary to effectively manage rough fish populations in Kentucky. This amendment removes the definition section due to the creation of 301 KAR 1:001 which contains definitions for all 301 KAR 1 regulations, aligns trophy catfish harvest regulations with recreational fishing catfish regulations, removes tributaries to the Ohio River from open waters for Lower Ohio River Trophy Catfish harvest for special permit holders below Cannelton Lock and Dam on the Ohio River, provides minor edits to the Monthly Report of Commercial Fish Harvest in Kentucky, which is incorporated by reference, and cleans up some non-substantive text throughout the regulation. By aligning the commercial and recreational fishing regulations for trophy catfish, better protection of these large catfish is provided to prevent overharvest. The removal of tributaries to the Ohio River below Cannelton Lock and Dam is based on trophy catfish abundance and declining harvest and use of these tributaries over the last ten years. It will provide better protection of these tributary trophy catfish populations. Finally, to make it easier to fill out the Monthly Report of Commercial Fish Harvest in Kentucky document, which is incorporated by reference, some formatting changes were made. (See: 301 KAR 1:155.)

This administrative regulation establishes the procedures for taking sport and rough fish by nontraditional fishing method 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 (2) fish, adds a possession limit of two (2) 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 lakes in Ballard County. This language conforms to restrictions used in the language of 301 KAR 1:082., Frog season; limits.​ (See: 301 KAR 1:410.)

This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for commercial hunting and fishing guides and is necessary to establish minimum regulatory standards and qualifications for commercial guides. This amendment creates a requirement that all commercial guide license holders report to the department information related to their guiding activity, establishes parameters for the revocation of the license if the report is not submitted, updates the commercial guide application that is incorporated by reference and clarifies the definition of a commercial guide.​ (See: 301 KAR 2:030.)

This regulation establishes the manner in which captive cervids may be held in captivity or moved within the state. This amendment references a new regulation by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). 302 KAR 20:066 was repealed and a new regulation, 302 KAR 22:150 was promulgated and is now referenced. This amendment ensures KDFWR is referencing the proper KDA regulation within ours for the captive cervid program. (See: 301 KAR 2:083.)​

This administrative regulation establishes seasons, bag limits, and methods of take for small game and is necessary to effectively manage wildlife populations in Kentucky, specifically those designated as small game. This amendment extends the season for squirrels by two days through the third Sunday in June. (See: 301 KAR 2:122.)

This administrative regulation establishes the manner in which white-tailed deer may be taken in Kentucky on public land. Deer are a public resource entrusted to the state for management. As such, there must be regulations in place to control the method and manner in which deer may be taken. This amendment removes two additive hunts where the deer densities are below objective, changes the preference point option from female to antlerless deer, and establishes new requirements when utilizing portable stands on public properties.​ (See: 301 KAR 2:178.)

This administrative regulation establishes requirements and prohibitions for take of protected and unprotected species and sets year-round hunting seasons for specific species. This amendment is necessary to provide clear guidance on which species can be taken year-round and identifies species as protected or unprotected. This regulation defines exotic wildlife and sets forth the requirements and prohibitions for take of protected and unprotected species. This amendment will prohibit sport hunting of wild pigs, require a hunting license to hunt starlings or English sparrows to adhere to statute KRS 150.320, correct inaccurate language regarding coyote trapping seasons, and align the definition of exotic wildlife with other Department regulations. (See: 301 KAR 3:030.)

This new administrative regulation establishes procedures to allow individuals meeting defined criteria for mentored events to boat, fish, hunt, shoot, or trap as part of a department-approved activity or program, prohibits certain actions inconsistent with the intended purpose of conservation camp properties, establishes requirements for other uses, and stipulates the guidelines for participation in events. This administrative regulation is necessary to establish guidelines under which the department may operate special mentored events on conservation camp properties and prohibits certain actions inconsistent with the intended purpose of conservation camp properties, establishes requirements for other uses, and stipulates the guidelines for participation in events. (See: 301 KAR 3:130.)

These administrative regulations established restrictions for entry and activities within Ballard Wildlife Management Area and the Swan Lake Unit of Boatwright Wildlife Management Area. The repeal is necessary as the amendments to 301 KAR 2:222 included the subject matter from 301 KAR 4:020 and 301 KAR 4:050, consolidating the requirements for waterfowl hunting on public lands into one location. (See: 301 KAR 4:021.)

This regulation establishes definitions for terms used within 301 KAR, Chapter 5. This amendment will change the existing administrative regulation by removing terms that are no longer applicable and adding terms that are to be utilized in amendments made to other regulations in 301 KAR, Chapter 5. (See: 301 KAR 5:001.)

This regulation establishes the methods for application and operation of license agents. This regulation is necessary to create a network of license agents to partner with the department to effectuate the sale and distribution of the department’s licenses, permits, and other items sold by the department. This amendment establishes updated contractual language in the document incorporated by reference to be consistent with changes in other 301 KAR, Chapter 5 regulations. (See: 301 KAR 5:010.)

This regulation establishes procedures for agents of the department to sell and issue the department’s licenses and permits. This regulation is necessary to define legal sales parameters to protect the interests of agents, customers and the department in implementing 301 KAR, Chapter 5. The amendments update language to include statutorily permissible fees and remove conflict with KRS 45.345(2) and KRS 64.840(3) while placing private entities on even footing with public entities that are acting as license agents. (See: 301 KAR 5:020.)

This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for hunters participating in the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and is necessary to ensure all migratory bird hunters operate within the law and participate in survey data as required in 50 C.F.R 20.20. There is no change to the substance of the regulation. The amendments are to improve the readability of the regulation and to bring the regulation in line with current drafting styles to be consistent with other recently enacted regulations. (See: 301 KAR 5:040.)

This regulation establishes the procedures for the application, award, and reporting of the Special Commission Permit fund raising opportunity for incorporated nonprofit wildlife conservation organizations. This amendment adds Black Bear as a species for which permits will be eligible, clarifies the benefit of the receiving a waterfowl permit, moves the application and reporting process to an online submission portal, and removes language that is no longer needed. This amendment is necessary to provide additional fund-raising opportunities through black bear permits, to clarify ambiguous language regarding the benefits of possessing a special waterfowl permit, and streamlines the application and reporting process via an online system that will provide various error controls to assist organizations in properly completing the applications and reports. This regulation is recodified from 301 KAR 3:100 and listed now in 301 KAR, Chapter 5 Licensing to better organize regulations by topic for the end user. (See: 301 KAR 5:200.)

This new administrative regulation establishes a limited number of special agency fundraising permits to hunt big game species, which will generate agency revenues through collection of drawing application fees. The regulation does not increase existing fees, but establishes new fees for voluntary applications for the drawings to award the new special permits.* (See: 301 KAR 5:210.)

*Note:​ The department has initiated all required procurement, IT, and administrative steps necessary to implement the provisions of this regulation to be able to receive applications for and to conduct these special drawings for the applicable 2025-26 hunting seasons.​