Water patrol GREATLY increased

I spoke with my local CO this morning, and he filled me in on a few things.

Water patrol is now being greatly increased across the state. It has something to do with the KDFWR needs to have X number of hours of water patrol in order to get Federal grant/aid money that is available to the state. The CO said water patrol is pretty much the only thing any of them are doing now, and they're doing a lot of it.

So when you go to the lake, be sure you have your ducks in a row. Random inspections are WAY up this year.

Good! I wonder if there's a shortage of COs with all this patrolling?

It's probably a good time to be a poacher right now. All the CO's are on the water. LOL

Got checked last wednesday night on laurel. I believe it was the first time I have been checked there in about 7 years. One other thing, he was not to friendly either so don't look for them to overlook anything. Horns, fire extingiushers, life jackets etc. We were checked so hard that he probably now knows more about me than my wife does.LOL He left us us and I didn't even get his name LOL

Be a good time to check all mandatory safety regulations and make sure your up to date before hitting the water. Gonna double check myself to make sure nothing has been added since the last time I accounted for everything. Next outing is Herrington so I'll make sure my spray bottle of Monster-Away is full.

hopefully he starts siting for docking lights being on

Basswipe is right, have all your ducks in a row, especially on Barren. I have been fishing Barren for 20 years and never had a patrol boat check me for everything like he did last year while fishing at midnight on a Monday night. I have had the water patrol check me for a fishing liscense but not come on board and go through everything at this time of night. He was just doing his job and he was never out of line or rude, but don't fudge on a fish and be up to date on the regulations on boating. I was lucky and just so happened to have all my ducks in a row, meaning fire ext. was charged, throw cushion, etc. and this cat won't miss a thing either. I work and fish on Barren and the patrol has picked up this year during the day. I have noticed patroling during the week in the daytime, which is something I have not seen very much. This is not a bad thing whatsoever, but is something I have not seen very much. We all need to be ready, prepared and don't be suprised if it happens.

LH.

I frequently carry a handgun in my boat and have a concealed carry permit. I guess I should know for sure, but I don't. Are they any regualations against doing this? If I was fishing around a state park area? I have noticed some signs before near boat ramps prohibiting firearms, so I guess I was illegal until I lauched at the minimum.