By Chris Erwin
They are six lakes in Kentucky where large outboard motors are restricted but state fish and wildlife officials are now taking public comments as they consider changing some of these rules to improve access for people with large boat motors.
Greenbo Lake has been operating under these proposed regulation changes for some time and it appears to be working. However, if you have concerns or would like to sit in on these meetings I wanted to make you aware of them. The news release below lists the meeting dates, times and locations.
FRANKFORT The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will hold a series of public meetings to discuss a proposal to lift motor restrictions on several small department-owned lakes in the state.
A series of meetings will begin March 18 concerning Boltz Lake, Bullock Pen Lake and Corinth Lake in Grant County, Beaver Lake in Anderson County, Elmer Davis Lake in Owen County and Kincaid Lake in Pendleton County. Adjoining landowners and the angling public are encouraged to attend these meetings.
Currently, boaters cannot use a motor larger than 10 horsepower on these lakes. The proposal would lift the horsepower restriction but only allow larger motors to run at idle speed on these lakes. Idle speed restrictions would be strictly enforced. Boat motors that are 10 horsepower or less could continue to operate at any speed.
The proposed regulation would also affect Shanty Hollow Lake near Bowling Green and Swan Lake in Ballard County. The public can submit comments concerning the proposal to lift horsepower restrictions on these two lakes during March and April by calling the department at 1-800-858-1549, or sending an email to the department at fw.fisheries@ky.gov.
The series of meetings will include the following:
- Kincaid Lake, 7 p.m. (Eastern), Tuesday, March 18, multipurpose building at Kincaid Lake State Park, 565 Kincaid Park Rd, Falmouth.
- Corinth Lake, 7 p.m. (Eastern), Wednesday, March 19, Corinth Community Center, 315 Owenton Road, Corinth.
- Beaver Lake, 7 p.m. (Eastern), Thursday, March 27, Emma B. Ward Elementary School Cafeteria, 1150 Bypass North, Lawrenceburg.
- Elmer Davis Lake, 7 p.m. (Eastern), Tuesday, April 1, Owen County Cooperative Extension Service, 265 Ellis Hwy, Owenton.
- Boltz Lake, 7 p.m. (Eastern), Wednesday, April 2, Curtis Gates Lloyd Wildlife Management Area (WMA) clubhouse, 230 Gardnersville Road, Crittenden. From I-75, take Crittenden exit and continue onto U.S. 25 South. Turn left onto Gardnersville Road, cross railroad tracks and continue to clubhouse.
- Bullock Pen Lake, 7 p.m. (Eastern), Thursday, April 3, Curtis Gates Lloyd Wildlife Management Area (WMA) clubhouse, 230 Gardnersville Road, Crittenden. From I-75, take Crittenden exit and continue onto U.S. 25 South. Turn left onto Gardnersville Road, cross railroad tracks and continue to clubhouse.
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I also wanted to report that while most of our lakes are beginning to thaw, and some activity is starting to occur, lakes like Laurel, Dale Hollow and Lake Cumberland are beginning to heat up. The smallmouth and crappie are starting to become active. They are still in deep water, however, this week I received reports from a few different people reporting catches.
I am from Louisville KY, born and raised. I have also been going north since I was born. Now we got to BWCA, one of the best maintained fisheries in the United States. They have strict regulations on every thing, a few huge lakes have any motor size.
99% of the lakes have 25 or below or no motor at all which is much nicer and promotes fishing, your not getting run off the water by a 200 HP skinny ass bass boat. They also have a fishing seasons, meaning they close fishing during the spawn to promote population growth which KY officials have no concept of. “Spring is here go fish and catch the spawning fish. So smart.
I would like to see changes to our regulations to improve our fishery from what it is starting with fishing seasons and strict regulations to improve population growth. Need to know how, google MN DNR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
richard most guys like me have nice boats with big motors have enough since to be respectable to everybody. We would like to idle to where we are going to fish instead of burning our batteries up on our trolling motors. We also need to use our big motors to get our boats on the trailer without getting wet. We all just want to catch fish and use all of our equipment that we work hard everyday to pay for. Good luck on the water!!!!
Hi Richard,
Thanks for visiting Kentucky Angling News,I have approved your post, it’s worth noting that we are an outdoor magazine not directly connected to the DFWL, However, I can assure you they do read the magazine and some of the stories here are by writers for the DFWL as this article is.
I have know idea if any of them will directly address your comments. However, the subject of having a closed season has been debated many times here in Kentucky. Our DFWL has concluded that it doesn’t matter when you take a fish it results in one less breeding fish the following year. Instead a comprehensive study is done each year by electro-fishing and supplemental stocking is done in fisheries where numbers are low or not living up to expected levels. Hp limits and, or, idle speeds are imposed on small bodies of water where excessive wave action may adversely effect fish population or the tranquility of small lakes.
While I’m only an outdoor writer, and I write about this state every week I am impressed with the job our DFWL does.
Did this pass? Is there still a restriction on Shanty Hollow Lake?