Forrest Wynne, State Extension Specialist for Aquaculture
two acres of ponds and $50.00 for each additional acre. Additionally, the application asks about the stocking of wild-caught, trophy flathead and blue or channel catfish that exceed 28 inches in length. This application is subject to change, but can be found at the following link:
Privately owned fee fishing operations are located throughout Kentucky, but most are concentrated in the central and eastern regions of the state. Fee fishing facilities may often be referred to as pay lakes or fish out ponds. These operations provide an alternative fishing resource for those who are unable or are not interested in utilizing more traditional fisheries (Cichra et al 19941).
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) requires an annual fee fishing permit for commercial operations. This allows customers to fish there without a personal KDFWR state-issued fishing license. Registered fee fishing operations are provided with daily fishing permits for their customers. Yearly fishing licenses are required when fishing in non-permitted facilities or public waters.
KDFWR issues two different fee-fishing permits depending on whether the catfish stocked are farm-raised fish from private farms or wild-caught fish from public waters. If all or some of the catfish stocked into facility ponds are wild-caught fish, the license fee is $600.00 for the first two pond acres and $50.00 for each additional acre of water. If only farm-raised catfish are stocked, or no catfish are added at all, the fee is $250.00 for the first two acres of ponds and $50.00 for each additional acre. Additionally, the application asks about the stocking of wild-caught, trophy flathead and blue or channel catfish that exceed 28 inches in length. This application is subject to change, but can be found at the following link:
Fee fishing operations may stock wild-caught catfish from commercial fishermen, farm-raised catfish, or both. Wild-caught catfish may be less expensive than farm-raised catfish, which must be fed a commercial catfish food to grow. Larger fish (greater than 10 lbs.), including blue and flathead catfish, are more commonly available from commercial fishermen. Wild-caught catfish are harvested by gillnets, hoop nets or slat traps. Catfish are kept alive onboard open boats in tanks that exchange water from the rivers or lakes. Unfortunately, fish health may be negatively affected due to handling stress when they are held and transported, particularly during warm weather.
Although farm-raised catfish may be more expensive, they may be less prone to disease due to reduced handling stress. Farm-raised fish are grown in small ponds of known origin and are typically cultured without other fish species, which may further reduce the incidence of disease.
Fee fishing operations usually consist of one or more 1/2 10 acre ponds. Ponds are typically stocked with 1 4 pounds catfish at densities of 1,000 4,000 pounds per surface acre. Ponds are often stocked weekly with 500 pounds of fish or more, on a Thursday or Friday for weekend fishing. Customers often observe fish stockings. Catfish are bought from live haul truck operators at prices that may vary from $0.70 – $2.00 per pound. The price of fish paid by fee fishing operations is dependent on factors such as: the source of fish (wild-caught or farm raised), the current price paid by catfish processing plants, the