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.

It’s hard to believe it, but spring squirrel season has almost come to an end.Tomorrow, June 21, is the last day to hunt...
06/20/2026

It’s hard to believe it, but spring squirrel season has almost come to an end.

Tomorrow, June 21, is the last day to hunt squirrels this spring. How fitting, because what better way to spend Father’s Day than out in the field!

Get outside, make some memories, and enjoy the last day of the season.

For more on squirrel hunting in Kentucky: https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Squirrel-Hunting.aspx

Do you have a young hunter at home, counting down the days until the fall season? Or maybe you, yourself, are excited to...
06/19/2026

Do you have a young hunter at home, counting down the days until the fall season? Or maybe you, yourself, are excited to get out for the first time this fall!

If that’s you, and you have not received your Hunter Education Certificate, the summer is a perfect time to do that!

Use this time, when the kids are out of school, and you’re not caught up in the busyness of the impending hunting season, to sign up for a Hunter Education course, so when it is time for the fall season, all you have to do is grab your gear and head outside.

Hunters 12 and older are required to have completed Hunter Education, either through an in-person class or by taking the course online and pairing it with an in-person Range Day.

Don’t wait until two days before the season opens to remember that you still need your certification- sign up today!

🔗 To learn more about Hunter Education, or to register for a course: https://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Hunter-Education.aspx

Hunter education is more than just a safety initiative—it’s a key part of preserving Kentucky’s outdoor heritage.

📸: Morgan Rabbeth

Happy National Go Fishing Day! Today is a good reminder to take a break from your normal routine and spend some time out...
06/18/2026

Happy National Go Fishing Day! Today is a good reminder to take a break from your normal routine and spend some time out on the water.

In honor of today, check out these recent Trophy Fish Award-winning catches:

Sawyer W. (Franklin County)
• Sauger
• Kentucky River
• First Trophy Fish Award

Maverick R. (Russell County)
• Rainbow Trout
• Cumberland River
• Second Trophy Fish Award

Ashlyn K. (McCreary County)
• Redear Sunfish
• Laurel Creek
• First Trophy Fish Award

Daniel M. (Cumberland County)
• Smallmouth Bass
• Lake Cumberland
• First Trophy Fish Award

Congrats to these young anglers, your future in Kentucky fishing is bright!

Do you think you’ve got a catch that qualifies for a Trophy Fish Award? Click here to learn more about the qualifications and how you too can be on your way to becoming a Master Angler: https://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/Trophy-Fish-Program---Master-Angler-Award.aspx

Did you know - 80% of Kentucky's 200+ native fishes include darters, minnows, suckers, small sunfishes, and other groups...
06/17/2026

Did you know - 80% of Kentucky's 200+ native fishes include darters, minnows, suckers, small sunfishes, and other groups that are rarely encountered by most people?

These fish may be easy to overlook, but they serve important roles in the rivers and streams they inhabit, signaling water quality and overall health and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.

Kentucky's State Wildlife Action Plan lists over 70 fishes as species of greatest conservation need because they're known to be rare or have experienced recent population declines. Research, survey, and monitoring efforts, as well as habitat restoration projects, are currently underway to prevent further imperilment of these important species.

You can support vulnerable wildlife throughout the commonwealth when you become a Kentucky Wild member! Learn more and join here today: https://bit.ly/3q7pt0J

Buck darter photo by Matt Thomas

A huge win for wild pig eradication efforts at Land Between the Lakes!USDA APHIS Wildlife Services recently completed an...
06/16/2026

A huge win for wild pig eradication efforts at Land Between the Lakes!

USDA APHIS Wildlife Services recently completed an extended season of aerial wild pig removal operations at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL), removing 1,802 wild pigs from the Kentucky-Tennessee area.

Using helicopters equipped with FLIR (thermal imaging) technology and aerial removal equipment, crews significantly reduced the wild pig population. Follow-up surveys showed an estimated 90% decrease in wild pig numbers!

Winter removal efforts occurred from January through March 2026. The focus was primarily on female pigs, which travel in groups called sounders, that are easier to locate from the air than lone individuals.

Trapping efforts will continue until all remaining wild pigs are removed. USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Land Between the Lakes remain committed to the complete eradication of wild pigs at LBL and throughout Kentucky.

With wild pig numbers greatly reduced, hunters should see improved opportunities for deer and turkey hunting throughout LBL! Reducing wild pig populations helps protect native wildlife, conserve habitat, and preserve outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations.

As always, if you see something, say something at http://squealonpigs.com

📸: USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

06/15/2026

Home-grown catfish coming to a body of water near you!

Did you know that Kentucky has two state hatcheries for warm-water fish and a federal hatchery that raises cool-water species, like trout?

Fish stocking is a valuable tool for managing and enhancing fishing opportunities in lakes and streams. Most fish populations are very good at maintaining themselves, but sometimes they need a bit of assistance from managers to reach their potential. Spawning fish in a hatchery allows us to protect the young fish until they are less vulnerable to predation.

One of our most active stocking programs is for the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) program. The FINs program stocks trout and catfish into small ponds, primarily in urban areas, to provide fishing opportunities to local communities.

Check out these catfish getting loaded up at the Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery in Frankfort to be stocked at FINs lakes across the state!

🔗 To learn more about fish stocking, FINs lakes, and to check out the monthly stocking schedules, click here: https://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/Fish_Stocking.aspx

Visiting one of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s shooting ranges is a great opportunity to not only practice your aim, but f...
06/14/2026

Visiting one of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s shooting ranges is a great opportunity to not only practice your aim, but firearm safety, too.

These ranges are open to the public, whether you’re a seasoned shooter or it’s your first time trying target shooting.

Kentucky Fish & Wildlife offers many locations across the state! Find a range today: https://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/ShootingRanges.aspx

We want to extend a huge congratulations to our newest Kentucky Game Wardens!Last week, Academy Classes 29 and 30 were s...
06/13/2026

We want to extend a huge congratulations to our newest Kentucky Game Wardens!

Last week, Academy Classes 29 and 30 were sworn in at the historic Old State Capitol in Frankfort. These 23 graduates are now in the field completing their field training program.

Thank you to these Game Wardens for all their hard work so far (completing over 1,300 hours of training) and for their commitment to Kentucky’s people, wildlife, and resources. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement

06/12/2026

Mood on this fine fishing Friday:

Here’s your reminder to grab your fishing license and head out on the water this weekend!

You can purchase your license here: https://app.fw.ky.gov/myprofile/

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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