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Hunting and Fishing Regulation Summary Guides

Hunting, trapping, and fishing regulation guides layout

Be Informed Before You Go Out!

Here is your one-stop shop to discover and download the latest edition of our Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Regulation Summary Guides. Each guide provides a summary of the latest rules and regulations to help keep every hunter and angler safe and legal during outdoor seasons.

Fall Guide cover  
 

New This Year!

Check out the latest issue of the Kentucky Fall Hunting & Trapping Guide (2026-27) - Regulations Summary.

Deer Hunting:

  • Zone classifications that dictate how many deer can be harvested were changed for 30 counties. All 30 will see higher bag limits for the 2026-27 season. See the deer section for specific changes.
  • A special antlerless-only season in September for zone 1-3 counties within the CWD Surviellance Zone has been extended to four days.

License/Permit Fees:

  • ​New reduced-cost First-Time Buyer Sportsman's License available.
  • Permit now required for use of firearms or archery equipment at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife ranges. The permit is free for residents and nonresidents who purchase any annual hunting or fishing license, including a Sportsman's License. But the permit is not automatically included - you must check the "shooting range permit" box on the order form. For those who don't buy a license, the permit includes a fee.
  • Cost of permits/licenses was adjusted across the board in January 2026. Future adjustments, which will happen every two years, will be tied to the national Consumer Price Index.
Drones:
  • It is illegal to use manned or un-manned aircraft (drones) in the hunting of wildlife.

​Trapping:

  • Furbearer trapping has been extended through March 31 for water sets (only), as defined in regulation.

Waterfowl Hunting:

  • The electronic version of the federal duck stamp is now available through Kentucky's online license purchase system. Electronically purchased stamps (E-Stamps) will appear on a hunter's license and do not require a signature. Physical duck stamps, such as those purchased at a post office, must still be signed and affixed to the license.

Public Lands:

  • Many changes governing access to various tracts of West Kentucky WMA.
  • Czar Hunting Access Area is closed to public use due to termination of access agreement.
  • The management of Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area formerly operated by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has been transferred to the Meade County Fiscal Court, though Fish and Wildlife will continue to operate the shooting range.​

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 2026 Proposed Changes Awaiting Legislative Review Include:

  • ​Expanded bag limits for otter and bobcat.

  • Several new laws enacted by the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly affecting deer seasons and creating night hunting seasons for bobcats and beavers.

    • ​ ​​Information regarding these changes will be communicated to the public through press releases, social media, and this website as changes are finalized.

Migratory Birds and Waterfowl Guide cover  
 

New This Year!​​

Check out the latest issue of the Kentucky Hunting Guide for Migratory Birds and Waterfowl (2026-27) -Regulations Summary.

Licenses:

Waterfowl Hunting:

  • Hunters may use modern or muzzle loading shotguns for waterfowl hunting on Barren River Lake including the primitive weapons area know as the "Peninsula Unit".
  • The drawing time for the youth, veteran's and Thanksgiving Day waterfowl quota hunts at Boatwright Wildlife Management Area may be different than the normal drawing time for daily waterfowl hunts. Please consult the Waterfowl Quota Hunts page a few weeks before these hunts for the correct drawing time.

Dove Field Locations Can Change

The 2026-27 Kentucky dove field locations and information are subject to change. Field information will be updated as it is received and may change. Please check the Public Dove Field page before heading out.

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Fishing and Boating Guide  ​
 

New This Year!

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 License and Permit Fees:

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.

Nontraditional Fishing Regulations:

Aircraft Restrictions: Anglers may not use aircraft to take fish.

Fishing Guide En Español
Kentucky Spring Hunting Guide cover  
 

New This Year!

Check out the latest issue of the
Kentucky Spring Hunting Guide (March - June 2026)
- Regulations Summary.​

License/Permit Fees:

  • New reduced-cost First-Time Buyer Sportsman’s License available.
  • Shooting range permits now required to shoot at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Ranges.
    • Free to residents or non-residents who purchase any annual hunting or fishing license, including a Sportsman’s License. Be sure to check the box on the order form for the shooting range permit; the permit is not automatically included in annual licenses.
    • For others, yearlong shooting permits $26.43.
    • One-day permit costs $5.29.
  • Cost of permits and licenses was adjusted across the board in January 2026. Further adjustments are now tied to the national Consumer Price Index.

Trapping:

Furbearer trapping has been extended through March 31 for water sets only, as defined in regulation.

Public Lands:

  • Many changes governing access to various tracts of West Kentucky WMA. Please review the West Kentucky Public Lands page for more information.
  • Czar Hunting Access Area now closed to public use due to termination of access agreement.
  • Green River National Wildlife Refuge is now open to archery and crossbow hunting of turkey for youth during April and May in the Horseshoe Bend Hunt Unit and the Tscharner West section of the Bluff Unit.
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Click Cover to Explore​

2026-27 Fall Hunting and Trapping Guide cover 2026-27 Fall Hunting & Trapping Guide

Fishing and Boating Guide cover 2026-27 Fishing & Boating (English)
Fishing and Boating Guide Spanish edition cover 2026-27 Pesca y Navegación (Español)
Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Guide cover2026-27 Migratory Bird  & Waterfowl Guide

On Using the Guides

Kentucky manages wildlife for conservation and provides outdoor recreation opportunities. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources sets seasons, bag limits, hunting areas, and regulations based on science, research, and public input.

These guides are a SUMMARY of regulations and are intended for informational use only. They are not legal statutes and should not be used as such.

Questions should be directed to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 before participating in regulated activities.

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FISHING LICENSE

Landowner Permission Required

A person shall not enter private land to hunt, fish, or trap without permission from the landowner or authorized agent. Failure to obtain permission may result in enforcement action. (KRS 150:092)

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