Title 301 | Chapter 003 | Regulation 160REG


PROPOSED
This document is not yet current.
TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE CABINET
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
(New Administrative Regulation)

301 KAR 3:160.Reciprocal agreements regarding fishing and hunting.

Section 1.

Fishing Agreements.

(1)

Persons fishing in Dale Hollow Lake, the Big South Fork portion of the Cumberland River, and a portion of the Kentucky Lake shall comply with the sport fishing requirements in the reciprocal sport fishing license agreement with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency incorporated by reference in this administrative regulation.

(2)

Persons fishing in the Mississippi River shall comply with the sport fishing requirements in the reciprocal sport fishing license agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation incorporated by reference in this administrative regulation.

(3)

Persons fishing in the Ohio River bordering Illinois or Indiana shall comply with both the sport and commercial fishing requirements in the reciprocal fishing license agreements with the Illinois and Indiana Departments of Natural Resources incorporated by reference in this administrative regulation.

(4)

Persons fishing in the Ohio River bordering Ohio shall comply with the sport fishing requirements in the reciprocal sport fishing license agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources incorporated by reference in this administrative regulation.

(5)

Persons fishing in the Big Sandy and Tug Fork rivers shall comply with the sport fishing requirements in the reciprocal agreement with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources incorporated by reference in this administrative regulation.

Section 2.

Hunting Agreements.

(1)

Persons hunting migratory birds on the Ohio River bordering Indiana or Ohio shall comply with the reciprocal hunting license agreements with the Indiana and Ohio Departments of Natural Resources incorporated by reference in the administrative regulation.

(2)

Persons hunting on the Big Sandy and Tug Fork rivers shall comply with the requirements in the reciprocal agreement with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources incorporated by reference in this administrative regulation.

Section 3.

Incorporation by Reference.

(1)

The following material is incorporated by reference:

(a)

"Reciprocal Sport Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency", 2025 Edition;

(b)

"Reciprocal Sport Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Missouri Department of Conservation", 2025 Edition;

(c)

"Reciprocal Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Illinois Department of Natural Resources", 2025 Edition;

(d)

"Reciprocal Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Indiana Department of Natural Resources", 2025 Edition;

(e)

"Reciprocal Sport Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Ohio Department of Natural Resources", 2025 Edition;

(f)

"Reciprocal Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources", 2025 Edition;

(g)

"Reciprocal Hunting License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Indiana Department of Natural Resources", 2025 Edition; and

(h)

"Reciprocal Hunting License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Ohio Department of Natural Resources", 2025 Edition.

(2)

This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or online at:

(a)

https://fw.ky.gov/Documents/TN-KY-Reciprocal-Fish-License-Agreement.pdf for the "Reciprocal Sport Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency";

(b)

https://fw.ky.gov/Documents/MO-KY-Reciprocal-Fish-License-Agreement.pdf for the "Reciprocal Sport Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Missouri Department of Conservation";

(c)

https://fw.ky.gov/Documents/IL-KY-Reciprocal-Fish-License-Agreement.pdf for the "Reciprocal Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Illinois Department of Natural Resources";

(d)

https://fw.ky.gov/Documents/IN-KY-Reciprocal-Fish-License-Agreement.pdf for the "Reciprocal Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Indiana Department of Natural Resources";

(e)

https://fw.ky.gov/Documents/OH-KY-Reciprocal-Fish-License-Agreement.pdf for the "Reciprocal Sport Fishing License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Ohio Department of Natural Resources";

(f)

https://fw.ky.gov/Documents/WV-KY-Reciprocal-Fish-Hunt-License-Agreement.pdf for the "Reciprocal Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources";

(g)

https://fw.ky.gov/Documents/IN-KY-Reciprocal-Hunt-License-Agreement.pdf for the "Reciprocal Hunting License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Indiana Department of Natural Resources"; and

(h)

https://fw.ky.gov/Documents/OH-KY-Reciprocal-Hunt-License-Agreement.pdf for the "Reciprocal Hunting License Agreement between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Ohio Department of Natural Resources".

RICH STORM, Commissioner
APPROVED BY AGENCY: June 11, 2025
FILED WITH LRC: June 12, 2025 at 11:45 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on August 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at KDFWR Administration Building, 1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five workdays prior to the hearing, of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing was received by that date, the hearing may be cancelled. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted through August 31, 2025. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person.
CONTACT PERSON: Jenny Gilbert, Legislative Liaison, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 1 Sportsman’s Lane, phone (502) 564-3400, fax (502) 564-0506, email fwpubliccomments@ky.gov.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Jenny Gilbert
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation identifies all current reciprocal agreements established between Kentucky and bordering states pertaining to hunting and fishing and establishes procedures for applying the administrative regulations of Kentucky and the states bordering Kentucky who share common waters.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
To allow for effective management and enforcement of bordering waters.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 150.025(1)(h) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of the chapter. KRS 150.170(8) authorizes the department to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states so that a person holding a resident or nonresident fishing license, or a resident or nonresident hunting license issued by the state shall be permitted to perform the acts authorized by the license upon certain contiguous waters and land areas adjacent to the common boundaries.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation will assist in the administration of the statutes by describing those reciprocal agreements which have been established upon waters which form common boundaries between Kentucky and bordering states.
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
Due to a previous administrative regulation expiring (301 KAR 1:220), this new regulation is being proposed to allow for updated fishing and hunting reciprocal agreements to become effective. This regulation also fits better under Chapter 3 of Title 301.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This is a new regulation, replacing a previous regulation that expired.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
N/A.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
N/A.
(3) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
All individuals fishing and/or hunting on bordering waters listed in these reciprocal agreements between Kentucky and the states of Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia will be affected by this regulation.
(4) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (3) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (3) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
Individuals of bordering states fishing and/or hunting on the waters listed in the reciprocal agreements will need to follow the requirements of the agreements and possess the appropriate licenses and permits.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (3):
There will be no additional costs to the individuals identified in question (3).
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (3):
Individuals of bordering states fishing and/or hunting on the reciprocal waters will only need to obtain a single license from their state instead of obtaining a resident license from their state and a non-resident license from the bordering state.
(5) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
This administrative regulation will result in no initial change in administrative cost to the Department.
(b) On a continuing basis:
There will be no additional cost on a continuing basis.
(6) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation:
The source of funding is the State Game and Fish Fund.
(7) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
It will not be necessary to increase any other fees or increase funding to implement this new administrative regulation.
(8) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
No new fees will be established.
(9) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
Tiering is not applied as all individuals of the bordering states who are fishing and/or hunting on these reciprocal waters will follow the same requirements.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(1) Identify each state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation:
KRS 150.025(1)(h) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of the chapter. KRS 150.170(8) authorizes the department to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states so that a person holding a resident or nonresident fishing license, or a resident or nonresident hunting license issued by the state shall be permitted to perform the acts authorized by the license upon certain contiguous waters and land areas adjacent to the common boundaries.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
This amendment is not expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly but is promulgated pursuant to KRS 150.025.
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The promulgating agency is the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. No other Kentucky state agencies are affected.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected state unit, part, or division identified in (3)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
This regulation will not result in any additional expenditures for the department.
For subsequent years:
This regulation will not result in any additional expenditures for the department.
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
This regulation will not result in any change in revenues for the department.
For subsequent years:
This regulation will not result in any change in revenues for the department.
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
This regulation will not result in any cost savings for the department.
For subsequent years:
This regulation will not result in any cost savings for the department.
(4)(a) Identify affected local entities (for example: cities, counties, fire departments, school districts):
No local entities should be affected by this regulation.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected local entity identified in (4)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
No other entities should be affected by this regulation.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
(6) Provide a narrative to explain the following for each entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a)
(a) Fiscal impact of this administrative regulation:
This regulation will not have any significant fiscal impact.
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This regulation does not increase any fees or otherwise create a financial burden to state or local government agencies or to regulated entities.
(7) Explain, as it relates to the entities identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a):
(a) Whether this administrative regulation will have a "major economic impact", as defined by KRS 13A.010(13):
This regulation will not have a major economic impact.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This regulation does not increase any fees or otherwise create a financial burden to state or local government agencies or to regulated entities.

7-Year Expiration: 6/20/2032

Last Updated: 6/23/2025


Page Generated: 2/4/2025, 3:28:47 PM