Department of Fish and Wildlife
Special Regulations On Striped Bass, Walleye On Lake Cumberland Rescinded

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources rescinded the special emergency regulations on striped bass in Lake Cumberland effective Oct. 12. The previous 2-fish daily creel limit on striped bass with a 24-inch minimum size limit is now back in effect on the lake.

Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett issued a Wildlife Disaster Contingency Measure on Sept. 1 because high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels stressed striped bass to the point of death.

“Lake water conditions improved recently and the striped bass are no longer dying,” said Ron Brooks, director of fisheries for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “The normal Lake Cumberland striped bass regulations will again be enforced.”

The ongoing repair work on Wolf Creek Dam propels the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep lake levels much lower than normal to reduce pressure on the ailing structure. Lower water levels along with this past summer’s high heat caused the poor water conditions impacting striped bass. Fisheries biologists observed striped bass floating dead or dying on the surface of Lake Cumberland late this past summer, prompting the implementation of the contingency measure.

“We will continue to work in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to closely monitor lake conditions during each summer and early fall until lake levels return to normal,” Brooks said.

The contingency measure lowered the minimum size limit to 22 inches and increased the daily creel limit to two striped bass caught by pole and line. Anglers could also keep three striped bass daily of at least 22 inches in length found floating on the surface.