Fish cleaning and food vending services may be provided. Adequate restroom facilities are necessary to ensure the success of an operation. Consult your county health department about existing regulations in regards to these types of facilities.

Facility cleanliness, safety and aesthetics are important details that can determine an operation's success. Some facilities provide alternative activities for non fishermen such as games, playgrounds, camping, etc. Providing paved areas or gravel pond banks clear of vegetation near the water's edge will improve accessibility. Benches, picnic tables, shelters, and shade trees may be located a short distance from the pond. Litter containers and lifesaving gear should be readily accessible. Entrance signs that display regulations (such as, the limit of two fishing rods per fishermen, fish size or quantity limits, prohibiting the use of alcohol, and abusive language etc.) are useful management tools.

Many fee fishing operations depend on repeat customers and word of mouth advertising to attract business (Cichra et al 19942). Attractive roadside signs as well as radio, television, and other forms of advertisement will attract customers. A fee fishing operation’s success will depend on good management. Customer relations and the ability to run a clean and safe business is critical. It is important to remember that fee fishing customers expect to catch fish!

Cichra, C. E. 1998. Fee Fishing in Florida. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Publication CIR809.

Masser, M.P., C.E. Cichra and R.J. Gilbert 1993. Fee-Fishing Ponds: Management of Food Fish and Water Quality. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Publication No. 480, Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.

Cichra C.E., M.P. Masser and R.J. Gilbert 19941. Fee-Fishing Ponds: An Introduction. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Publication No. 479, Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi

Cichra C.E., M.P. Masser and R.J. Gilbert 19942. Fee-Fishing Ponds: Location, site Development and Other Consideration. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Publication No. 482, Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi

State Extension Specialist for Aquaculture Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program McCracken County Extension Office 2025 New Holt Road Paducah, KY 42001 Telephone: (270)554-9520 Email: forrest.wynne@kysu.edu

Cremer, M. C., S. D. Mims and G. M. Sullivan 1984. Pay Lakes as a Marketing Alternative for Kentucky Fish Producers. Kentucky State University, Graphics Department. Masser, M.P., C.E. Cichra and R.J. Gilbert 1993. Fee-Fishing Ponds: Management of Food Fish and Water Quality. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Publication No. 480, Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.

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