Beginning float fishing classes offered
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will host three public meetings to gather comments from people interested in ruffed grouse management in the state.
Department biologists developed the state’s Ruffed Grouse and Young Forest Strategic Plan to lead focused management efforts to improve grouse numbers in eastern Kentucky.
The department has already received public comments by phone and email. The upcoming meetings provide additional opportunity for the public to learn about the plan in detail and add their input.
Meeting dates, local times and locations include:
· Ashland area: 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, Northeast Fish and Game Club, Dezarn Lane (off South Big Run Road), near Coalton community.
· Whitesburg: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, 7 p.m., University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Office, 478 Extension Drive.
· London: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Office, 200 County Extension Drive.
The Ashland event will include an inaugural trap shoot and cookout sponsored by the Kentucky River Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society. The event will be held prior to the grouse plan meeting. Doors open at 9 a.m. for the event, with trap shooting from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Food will be provided.
Beginner Float Fishing Classes Offered in August
Enrollment is underway for novice anglers who want to try their hand at fishing from a kayak.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, in partnership with Canoe Kentucky of Frankfort, will offer free basic fishing classes in August through its Anglers Legacy program. Courses include three 90-minute classes that cover the basics of fishing, followed later by a fishing trip on the department’s headquarters lake and the Kentucky River or Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County.
Classes are offered as part of Canoe Kentucky’s Explore Nature Series. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife employees will teach the classes and offer their fishing expertise as part of the department’s ongoing effort to increase angling participation.
Registration is available by calling Canoe Kentucky’s Chris Howard at (502) 227-4492, or emailing him atchris@canoeky.com. The course is limited to 20 participants. Equipment is provided. Participants must have a valid Kentucky fishing license.
Classes will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Eastern time) on Aug. 9, Aug. 16 and Aug. 23. During the Aug. 16 session, Lower Sportsman’s Lake, on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife campus near Frankfort, will close at 4 p.m. for a class session. The lake will reopen for public use at daybreak, Aug. 17.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife encourages all anglers to enjoy float fishing trips around the state. Recommended floats, along with maps, mileages and descriptions, are available on the department’s website, fw.ky.gov. Search under the keywords “Blue Water Trails” for more information.
From F&W Communications
