Kentucky phases out lower Ohio River trophy catfish permits and penalizes live transport

Original title: AN ACT relating to trophy catfish.

Last action · April 15, 2026: recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)Sponsors: DJ Johnson and 3 others

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What This Bill Proposed

Kentucky prohibits the transfer or reissue of surrendered lower Ohio River trophy catfish permits, sunsets all existing permits on May 31, 2027, and bans the live transport of trophy catfish except by boat while legally fishing. The measure also establishes criminal penalties, making a first violation of the live-transport ban a and subsequent offenses a .

Why it matters

Commercial and recreational fishers targeting large catfish in the lower Ohio River face an outright expiration of their permits by mid-2027 and strict new felony penalties for unlawfully transporting live trophy-sized catfish.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

commercial fishers

Commercial fishers holding permits for lower Ohio River trophy catfish face permit expiration by May 31, 2027, and restrictions on permit transfers.

Directly affected

recreational fishers

Recreational fishers must comply with new length thresholds and restrictions regarding the live transport of trophy catfish.

Key Facts

Defines 'Lower Ohio River trophy catfish' downstream of Cannelton Lock and Dam as blue or flathead catfish at least 40 inches long, or channel catfish at least 30 inches long.
Defines general 'trophy catfish' as blue or flathead catfish at least 35 inches long, or channel catfish at least 28 inches long.
Requires all permits issued to take lower Ohio River trophy catfish to expire on May 31, 2027, with no new permits issued after that date.
Prohibits the transfer or reissuance of any surrendered permit to take lower Ohio River trophy catfish after the effective date of the Act.

Show all 7 facts

Prohibits transporting live trophy catfish except by boat while legally fishing commercially or recreationally with all necessary permits.
Makes a first conviction for violating the live-transport restriction a Class A misdemeanor.
Makes any subsequent conviction for violating the live-transport restriction a Class D felony.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do lower Ohio River trophy catfish permits expire?

All permits issued by the department to take lower Ohio River trophy catfish expire on May 31, 2027.

Is it legal to transport live trophy catfish?

A person cannot transport live trophy catfish except by boat while in the course of legally fishing, either commercially or recreationally, with all necessary permits and licenses.

What are the penalties for violating the live-transport restriction?

A first offense is a , and each subsequent offense is a .

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

6 actions

Apr 15, 2026HouseCommittee
recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
Feb 10, 2026House
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
Feb 6, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules
Feb 5, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
Jan 23, 2026HouseCommittee
to Natural Resources & Energy (H)
Jan 15, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Version history

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