Commission raises black-bass aggregate daily limit to 10 on multiple lakes, removes certain slot limits

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission on Dec. 5 approved regulatory changes to black-bass size and daily limits designed to reduce overabundant small bass on selected lakes.

Staff recommended removing the largemouth slot limit at Cave Run Lake (no size limit on largemouth), increasing the aggregate daily black-bass limit from six to ten on named lakes, leaving the 18-inch minimum for smallmouth intact, and adding two small water bodies to the Fishing In Neighborhoods (FINS) program. Staff said the intent is to allow greater harvest of smaller fish to improve growth of remaining fish.

Commissioner Fritz proposed an amendment that of the 10 fish allowed at Cave Run, no more than five may be 12 inches or larger to protect larger fish; staff opposed adding complexity but accepted the motion as a permissible amendment. The motion, as amended, was seconded and passed on roll call with unanimous affirmative votes recorded in the transcript.

Staff also recommended daily limits for shovelnose sturgeon (two) and for skipjack herring (100) and updates to incorporated-by-reference lists.

Next steps: staff will update the regulatory text for 301 KAR 1201 and related conforming changes and proceed through notice and adoption steps.