Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Serving People,
Conserving Fish & Wildlife

To learn more about the Department’s mission and programs, please follow this page and visit https://fw.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx.

TODAY IS THE DAY!The last day to enter the draw for the Special Agency Fundraising Permits is here.Enter today for your ...
05/30/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY!

The last day to enter the draw for the Special Agency Fundraising Permits is here.

Enter today for your chance to win one of these packages:

• Elk Hunt Sweepstakes Permit – one elk of either s*x
• Premium Combo Big Game Permit – one elk of either s*x + bonus deer, bear & spring turkey permits
• Standard Combo Big Game Permit – bonus deer, bear & spring turkey permits

Each package also comes with a 2-night stay at a Kentucky State Parks resort lodge (subject to availability).

These permits support wildlife conservation across Kentucky while giving you the chance to win several incredible hunting opportunities.

You have until 11:59 PM (ET) tonight, so don’t wait- APPLY NOW!

🔗 Enter online only at fw.ky.gov → “Buy Licenses”

Happy Fishing Friday! Do you know what it’s almost time for… (hint: check the photo)It’s noodlin'-time!Starting June 1, ...
05/29/2026

Happy Fishing Friday! Do you know what it’s almost time for… (hint: check the photo)

It’s noodlin'-time!

Starting June 1, tickling and noodling season officially begins here in the bluegrass state. Get ready to get out there and land yourself a catfish the old-fashioned way!

Reminder: Tickling and noodling are only allowed in specific waters. Be sure to check the 2026 Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide before heading out.

🔗 Check the guide here:https://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Documents/fishingguide.pdf

(Tickling and noodling season runs from June 1 - August 31)

05/28/2026

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife operates and maintains multiple shooting ranges across the Commonwealth. We are committed to improving safety, accessibility, and overall user experience at our existing ranges — while also working to build new ranges in areas where they’re needed most.

To support these efforts, we now require a range permit for individuals 16 and older using these ranges.

To get a permit, head to fw.ky.gov, and click on “My Profile” or follow the link: https://app.fw.ky.gov/myprofile/

We hope to see you at one of our ranges soon!

05/27/2026

It’s the time of year when fawn births are peaking!

Most are born in late May and early June. They’re born scentless and are left alone for long stretches of time; this is a survival mechanism that is natural for them. By being scentless and without the adult doe present, drawing attention to the area, the fawns can hide and elude predators.

The does will come back intermittently to feed or relocate them, but in the meantime, many people find fawns hiding on their own, as they have evolved to do, and believe them to be abandoned. They think they are doing a good thing by “rescuing” the abandoned fawn, but in reality, they are significantly decreasing its chances at a healthy, wild life.

So please, do not touch or move fawns!

Although they appear to be alone, in the vast majority of cases, the doe is not too far away and will be coming back for their young.

If you've recently spent time at larger rivers or reservoirs, you may have noticed that osprey have returned to nest sit...
05/27/2026

If you've recently spent time at larger rivers or reservoirs, you may have noticed that osprey have returned to nest sites throughout Kentucky. Did you know that osprey populations (along with many other raptor species) suffered range-wide declines during the mid-1900's?

This decline was mostly attributed to the widespread use of the pesticide DDT, which caused eggshell thinning, resulting in decreased productivity. As a result, no successful osprey nests were documented in Kentucky between 1949 and 1985.

Thanks to the banning of DDT and major restoration efforts, osprey have bounced back and Kentucky's nesting population increased - jumping from 52 occupied nests in 2008 to 155 in 2017.

Kentucky Fish & Wildlife biologists monitor the state's osprey population periodically to track population growth and trends.

YOU can support conservation efforts for vulnerable raptors, songbirds, pollinators, and more by becoming a member of Kentucky Wild. Click here to join today: https://bit.ly/3p1jPg0

Photos by Kate Slankard

Every expert hunter started as a beginner, with many getting their start hunting squirrels.Squirrel season is a perfect ...
05/26/2026

Every expert hunter started as a beginner, with many getting their start hunting squirrels.

Squirrel season is a perfect opportunity to learn the ins and outs of hunting, and you’re in luck… because spring squirrel season is happening right now! (May 16 - June 21)

Fast facts about squirrel hunting in Kentucky:

• Kentucky has two huntable squirrel species: the eastern gray and the northern fox.
• Squirrels are active year-round in Kentucky, breeding in both summer and winter, with most litters averaging 3–4 young (hence multiple hunting seasons). Within about two months, those young squirrels are on their own.
• Food availability plays a major role in squirrel activity, and their diet primarily consists of nuts, fruits, buds, and twigs. They also store food in caches to help make it through winter.
• Squirrels are usually most active early in the morning and again late in the afternoon. Moving slowly and staying quiet can make the difference between spotting squirrels and spooking them!

To learn more about squirrel hunting and how you can get involved, or get someone you know involved, head to the “Learn to Hunt Squirrel” page on our website: https://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Learn-to-Hunt-Squirrel.aspx

Happy Memorial Day, from all of us at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, to you!Today, let us remember those who fought for our...
05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day, from all of us at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, to you!

Today, let us remember those who fought for our country and paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

As many Kentuckians head to the water to celebrate those who have served, we want to share a couple of reminders:

1. Wear a life jacket
2. Boat sober
3. Be weather aware

Whether you’re fishing, tubing, or just cruising, remember to make safety a part of the fun today!

05/23/2026

Wear your life jacket- it’s that simple!

Not only do they save lives, but Kentucky law actually requires each boat occupant to have ready access to a Coast Guard-approved life jacket that properly fits each person, and children younger than 12 must always wear a life jacket that fits them while in the open portion of a moving boat.

If your plans include hitting the water this Memorial Day weekend, make sure a life jacket is on your packing list!

🔗 To learn more about boat safety in Kentucky: https://fw.ky.gov/Boat/Pages/Boat-Safety.aspx

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists have confirmed the first detection of Alabama bass hybrids in Kentucky waters at L...
05/22/2026

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists have confirmed the first detection of Alabama bass hybrids in Kentucky waters at Lake Linville in Rockcastle County.

During routine fisheries surveys, biologists collected two fish initially identified as spotted bass that were later confirmed through genetic analysis to be Alabama bass/spotted bass hybrids. Additional testing is now underway to determine the extent of their presence in the lake.

Alabama bass are native to parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, but outside their native range they can negatively impact fisheries by competing and interbreeding with native bass species. Biologists are especially concerned about potential impacts to Kentucky’s smallmouth bass and spotted bass populations.

Anglers and boaters: Please do not move fish or plants between waterways. Transporting aquatic species can unintentionally spread invasive species and threaten Kentucky’s native fisheries and aquatic resources.

🔗 The Lake Linville discovery: https://fw.ky.gov/News/Pages/Invasive-Alabama-bass-found-at-Lake-Linville-in-Rockcastle-County.aspx
🔗 FAQs about Alabama Bass: https://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/AL_Bass_FAQ.aspx

Join us in congratulating Kentucky’s very own Harrison County High School on placing FIRST PLACE in the high school divi...
05/21/2026

Join us in congratulating Kentucky’s very own Harrison County High School on placing FIRST PLACE in the high school division of the 2026 NASP Eastern National Bullseye Tournament!

Over 5,000 high school archers, making a total of 262 teams, competed in the tournament, and Harrison County made it out on top.

Additional congratulations are in order for Avery Muntz from Southside Elementary (also in Harrison County), who placed first out of 757 archers in the elementary female division in the 3D tournament!

Kentucky archers represented the state well, with several other top 3 finishes:

• Abigail Smith (Frederick Douglas High School):
➝ 2nd place: high school females in bullseye
➝ 3rd place: high school females in 3D

• Avery Muntz (Southside Elementary):
➝ 3rd place: elementary female in bullseye

We are proud of all of those who competed- way to go, archers!

Address

1 Sportsmans Lane
Frankfort, KY
40601

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18008581549

Website

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