New public access aquired-Cumberland River

Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources News Release


Frankfort, Ky. – Anglers floating the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam now have a new public access site to stop and wade or fish from the bank. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recently purchased a 20-acre island and adjacent 5-acre parcel of land in Clinton County. The island is shown on some maps as Long Bar and known locally as Snow Island.
“There is no road access to the area at this time,” said Ryan Oster, fisheries division federal aid coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “We will develop this area for parking and bank access for wading anglers in the near future.” Presently, access to the area is only by water.
In the meantime, floating anglers may stop and wade or bank fish this area. The property lies in Wells Bottom, approximately 10 miles downstream of Wolf Creek Dam, between the Helm’s Landing and Winfrey’s Ferry boat ramps. It is one of the more productive fishing shoals in this section of the Cumberland River.
“It is one of my regular rainbow and brown trout sampling areas,” said Dave Dreves, fisheries research biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “There usually are good numbers of quality-sized rainbow and brown trout on the shoals and in the channels adjacent to this island. Presently, there is a lack of bank fishing access on the upper part of the Cumberland tailwater, especially on the Clinton County side. This property will be a quality bank fishing and wading spot.”
Anglers coming from the south of the Cumberland River will no longer need to drive all the way around to the north side of the river to fish.
“This property was purchased using Sport Fish Restoration funds that come from excise taxes on motor boat fuels and fishing equipment,” Oster said. “This is a great example of using angler’s dollars to benefit anglers.”
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife plans to construct a road to the area within the next year, along with a parking area. Once completed, the area will be opened to the public for parking and bank fishing.
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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.