Trout fisheries in Kentucky’s streams are represented by brown, rainbow, and
brook trout. Before 1980, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources (KDFWR) stocked primarily rainbow trout for put-and-take
fisheries. As of 2008, the trout program includes six streams (17.2 miles)
that have natural brook trout populations and three tailwaters (78.4 miles)
and 11 streams (59.2 miles) for put-grow-take brown trout or rainbow trout
fisheries. There are a total of 302.5 miles (88.4 miles in tailwaters) of
trout fisheries in 67 streams (Paint Creek and Beaver Creek listed twice)
that include 14 tailwaters. Forty-three percent (130.8 mi) of the total
miles of trout stream fisheries is represented by brown trout. There are
8.7 miles in two streams that are managed for put-and-take and put-grow-take
brown and rainbow trout fisheries at Fort Campbell Military Reservation that
lies in both Kentucky and Tennessee.
Rainbow trout have been utilized in the trout program since being stocked as
catchable-size fish into both Lake Cumberland and Herrington Lake tailwaters
in 1952. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established brook trout in two
streams from stockings in 1968. The KDFWR has expanded trout fishing waters
for wild brook trout to several streams with the Owhi strain, beginning with
introductions of 3-4 inch brook trout in a headwater stream in 1980 and
1981. Headwater streams are considered for wild brook trout management if
they have the following: (1) at least 1 mile of suitable coldwater habitat,
including a maximum water temperature of <68oF; (2) an
excellent rating for all trout stream rating parameters; (3) are within
public land; (4) 100% of their watershed is in silviculture; (5) there is no
road access within at least 0.5 mi; and (6) they are either located above
2,000 ft msl or have a natural fish barrier.
Brown trout (Plymouth Rock strain), 3-4 inches long, were first stocked by
the KDFWR in Laurel Creek during 1981-1984, resulting in the creation of a
high quality put-grow-take fishery for brown trout. This stream and eight
others began to be annually stocked with fingerling brown trout in 1988.
These streams were selected for put-grow-take stockings of brown trout due
to being rated good or excellent, having good pool habitat for good brown
trout growth and survival, and not fitting the criteria for wild brook trout
management.
Annual stockings of 8-inch brown trout began in the Lake Cumberland
tailwater in March 1982. Herrington Lake tailwater has been annually
stocked with 8-inch brown trout since 1988. Laurel River Lake tailwater has
received brown trout since 1995.
In
1986 and 1987, fingerling brown trout were stocked into 10 streams to
establish wild brown trout fisheries without success. Brown trout
reproduction was documented in a few of these streams, but not at a level to
sustain a fishable population. Two of these streams are now being stocked
annually with 4- or 8-inch brown trout for providing a put-grow-take fishery
- Chimney Top Creek since 1990 with 4-inch fish and Bark Camp Creek since
1992 with 8-inch fish. Annual stockings of 8-inch brown trout began in 1997
at Slabcamp, Stonecoal, Minor, Laurel, and Big Caney creeks. Trammel Fork
began to be annually stocked with 8-inch brown trout in 1991 instead of
4-inch fish to improve survival. Eight-inch brown trout have been stocked at
East Fork Indian Creek (Menifee County) since 1993. Laurel River Lake
tailwater was added in 1995. Brown trout stocking in Slabcamp Creek /
Stonecoal Branch was discontinued in 2006.
Brown trout are stocked at a rate of about 200 4-inch or 100 8-inch trout
per mile in headwater streams <20 ft wide; 200 8-inch trout per mile
in streams 21-40 ft wide; 300 8-inch trout per mile in 41-60 ft wide
streams; 400 8-inch trout per mile in 61-100 ft wide streams; and 500 8-inch
trout per mile in >100 ft wide streams. At 50% survival through age 6 (or 5
lb fish), the biomass from these rates would result in about 30-60 lb of
trout per acre. The mean standing stock of all fish in streams in Kentucky,
based on fish sampling data using rotenone by KDFWR, is about 62 lb/acre,
excluding the Ohio River and lower Cumberland River.
There are a total of 12 streams that have designated sections for a seasonal
catch-and-release season. Seasonal catch-and-release regulations became
first effective in 1999 at Bark Camp Creek, Cane Creek, East Fork Indian
Creek, Hawk Creek, and Rock Creek (Bell Farm Bridge to TN border). Hawk
Creek was deleted from stocking in 2002. Otter Creek was added in 2002.
Swift Camp Creek, Left Fork Beaver Creek, Lick Creek, and Casey Creek were
added in 2003. Beaver Creek, Elk Spring Creek, Middle Fork Red River, and
East Fork Clarks River were added in 2004. East Fork Clarks River was
deleted from stocking in 2007. Big Bone Creek and Clear Creek became
designated as a seasonal catch-and-release stream in 2006. No trout are
allowed to be kept from October 1 - March 31, except at Swift Camp Creek
where the seasonal catch-and-release season extends through May 31. Only
artificial baits are permitted during these months. Rainbow trout are
stocked at a rate of about 100-500 fish per mile, depending on number of
stocking sites and stream size.
A
15-inch size limit on brown trout was imposed in 1989 at Herrington Lake
tailwater, but was changed back to statewide regulations in 2008. A 20-inch
size limit was implemented on brown trout at Lake Cumberland tailwater in
1996. Four brook trout streams have had catch and release regulations and
no live bait restrictions on fishing tackle since 2000. A 15-20 inch
protective slot limit on rainbow trout was established at Lake Cumberland
tailwater in 2004. The daily limit is 5 rainbow trout, of which only 1 fish
can be over 20 inches long. A statewide 12-inch size limit and 3 fish
daily creel limit on brown trout became effective in 2000.
A
3.6-mile section of Paint Creek became the first stream in 2005 to be
managed with a 16-inch size limit on trout and 1 trout daily creel limit.
In 2006, Chimney Top Creek (2.3 mi) and Right Fork Chimney Top Creek (1.0
mi) were added to streams having this regulation. Anglers must fish with
only artificial bait in these streams where the regulation applies.
Trout Streams Classification
A systematic approach to
trout management began in 1983 in conjunction with an inventory and rating
of both existing and potential trout streams. Streams are rated based on a
score of 1 (excellent), 2 (good), 3 (fair), or 4 (poor) for each of six
parameters: (1) trout utilization (if previously stocked), (2) fish
population structure, (3) water quality, (4) habitat, (5) fishing success,
and (6) aesthetics. A mean score of 1.0-1.4 is excellent, 1.5-2.4 good,
2.5-3.4 fair, and 3.5-4.0 poor for each stream. A stream may not be
considered for trout management even though it received a fair or good
rating, if any of the parameters rate poor or there is lack of public
access. Several streams that have an overall rating of excellent or good
are only managed for a put-and-take rainbow trout fishery due to a fair or
poor rating for water quality, fish population structure, and/or fish
habitat.
The
classification system for trout streams is based on the management scheme
and rating for each stream. Four classes of trout streams were created as
follows: Class I - exceptional trout streams that are rated excellent and
have natural brook trout populations; Class II - high quality trout streams
that are rated either excellent or good and are managed for put-grow-take
trout fisheries or have carryover beyond one year; Class III - general trout
streams that are rated either excellent or good and are managed for
put-and-take trout fisheries; and Class IV - marginal trout streams that are
rated fair and are managed for put-and-take trout fisheries.
The
trout streams classification identifies 17.2 miles in 6 streams classified
as exceptional trout streams (Class I) that have an excellent rating and
have natural brook trout populations. Bad Branch is not open to fishing due
to the occurrence of rare plants along the stream and need for protection by
Nature Preserves Commission. Class II streams provide 78.4 miles of
put-grow-take fisheries for brown trout in 3 tailwaters and 59.2 miles in 11
other streams. Rainbow trout Class II put-grow-take fisheries exist in 78.4
miles of 3 tailwaters and 28.6 miles of 5 streams. Class III streams
include 8.5 miles of put-and-take fisheries for rainbow trout in 9
tailwaters and 80.5 miles in 19 streams. Class IV streams provide 1.5 miles
of put-and-take rainbow trout fisheries in 2 tailwaters and 57.2 miles in 19
streams. Streams that rated poor were either not considered for trout
management or were discontinued as streams managed for trout.
Twelve trout streams are in the Daniel Boone National Forest that offer 50.2
miles of trout fishing water. Five of 27 streams that are rated as
exceptional (Class I) or high quality (Class II) trout streams reside in the
Daniel Boone National Forest. These streams represent 14.6 of the 154.8
miles (9%) of Class I and II streams.
Two
streams in Fort Campbell Military Reservation have been cooperatively
managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Fort Campbell Military
Reservation, and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources since
1991. Although these streams are in Tennessee, they are available to
Kentucky anglers to fish with a resident fishing license and trout permit,
along with an annual fishing permit for Fort Campbell. Both streams are
high quality (Class II) trout streams that have a combined 8.7 miles of
trout fishing water.
The
trout streams classification serves the purpose of identifying trout fishing
streams, their extent, and type of fishery, as well as providing a better
basis for making future management decisions. The inventory and rating of
trout streams have been useful in identifying streams to be recommended for
inclusion in Kentucky’s stream use classification as coldwater aquatic
habitat. This classification will benefit other state agencies with
environmental responsibilities that need this information for providing
better protection of streams from habitat degradation.
Future trout stream management decisions that are based on inventory data
and ratings will hopefully eliminate the addition of any more marginal
streams that are stocked with trout that are given a poor rating. This
classification is structured based on both the rating and type of trout
management for each stream, which should serve as a guideline for deciding
on the type of trout stocking to recommend.
CLASSIFICATION OF TROUT STREAMS IN KENTUCKY
AS OF 2007
CLASS I STREAMS: exceptional trout streams that have an excellent
(1.0-1.4) rating and have a natural brook trout population.
|
Stream1 |
County |
Rating2 |
Miles of trout
fishing water |
Location of trout
fishery |
Type of trout
fishery |
|
1) |
Bad Branch (Wild
River) - closed to fishing by Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission |
Letcher |
1.0 |
3.2 |
1,800 ft msl to
headwater and lake in Right Prong |
Brook - wild |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2) |
Dog Fork |
Wolfe |
1.0 |
1.0 |
Mouth to falls |
Brook - wild |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3) |
Martins Fork
(Wild River) - section in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
closed to fishing |
Bell/
Harlan |
1.0 |
4.2 |
Park boundary to
headwater |
Brook - wild |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4) |
Parched Corn
Creek |
Wolfe |
1.0 |
1.1 |
Falls upstream to
2nd tributary on left |
Brook - wild |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5) |
Poor Fork
(Jefferson National Forest) |
Letcher |
1.0 |
3.1 |
0.4 mi below
confluence of left and right forks to 1.2 mi up left fork and 1.5 mi
up right fork |
Brook - wild |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6) |
Shillalah Creek -
section in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park closed to fishing |
Bell |
1.0 |
4.6 |
1.2 mi from 1,400
ft msl to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and 3.4 mi from
park boundary to headwater |
Brook - wild |
|
Total miles |
|
|
17.2 |
|
|
1Streams
underlined are in the Daniel Boone National Forest.
2Streams
are rated based on the mean of individual scores for six characteristics as
follows: fish population structure, trout utilization, water quality,
habitat, fishing access, and aesthetics. A score of 1 = excellent, 2 =
good, 3 = fair, and 4 = poor.
-
Catch and
release required of all brook trout and no use of live bait at Dog Fork,
Parched Corn Creek, Shillalah Creek below the Cumberland Gap National
Historical Park (CGNHP), and Poor Fork above Hwy 932 bridge.
CLASS II STREAMS CONTINUED
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stream1
|
County |
Rating2 |
Mile of trout
fishing water |
Location of trout
fishery |
Type of trout
fishery3 |
|
8) |
Lick Creek
|
Simpson |
1.8 |
6.6 |
Mouth to 6.6 mi
upstream |
Rainbow p-t &
carry over; scr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9) |
Otter Creek
|
Meade |
2.0 |
9.7 |
Mouth to 9.7 mi
upstream |
Brown p-g-t
Rainbow p-t &
carry over; scr |
|
10) |
Paint Creek
|
Johnson |
1.6 |
3.6 |
Upper Hwy 460
bridge upstream to Hwy 40 bridge |
Brown p-g-t
Rainbow
p-g-t |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11) |
Trammel Fork |
Allen |
1.8 |
4.4 |
Mi 23.4 - 27.8 |
Brown p-g-t
Rainbow
p-t |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal miles : |
|
|
59.2 |
|
|
|
Total miles: |
|
137.6 |
|
|
1
Streams in italics have a
16-inch length limit, 1 fish daily creel limit, and artificial bait
requirement for trout; streams underlined are in the Daniel Boone National
Forest; seasonal catch and release streams are in bold.
2Streams
are rated based on the mean of individual scores for six characteristics as
follows: fish population structure, trout utilization, water quality,
habitat, fishing access, and aesthetics. A score of 1 = excellent, 2 =
good, 3 = fair, and 4 = poor.
3P-g-t:
put-grow-take fishery; p-t: put-and-take fishery; scr: seasonal
catch-and-release
-
12-inch statewide size limit on and 3 fish daily creel limit brown trout.
