Shanty Hollowreport and questions

[BigPoppy]

Well we wanted to take the girls blue gill fishing or as the wife calls it perch jerking today so we loaded up the gear and made the 40 minute drive over to Shanty Hollow for a little bank fishing, it is one of the few places where you can still drive close enough to the lake to bank fish with kids in tow. The perch were on the hunt, the trick was finding the good ones and they were in about 6 feet of water over rip rap on the windy side of the lake, We had a great time watching the girls landing these gamy little fish on ultralight rigs. But there was a storm blew in and we had to leave, but we spoke to some of the locals up at the Bait shop on 185 and they had been bring some nice cats, bass, crappie, and sun fish of all kind out this year. I know the state owns the lake and I noticed there were several stake beds placed around the lake. I was wondering is there a group of volunteers working with the state or how it is being maintianed I know the dam was repaired a few years back and they have a new concrete ramp now. So if anyone knows if there is a group involved with this lake or who from the state is in charge of the lake could give me a shout out here and let me know. We loaded up three garbage bags of trash from the bank and road way near the bank, this is such a beautiful little lake we hate to see it ruined by a bunch of lazy no goods that won't wipe their own butts so to speak. Or if there is anyone else out there that feels the same way we do maybe we could start a volunteer group to go out and clean up once a month or so maybe get some help from the state and have an event like some of the bigger lakes, just an idea. But if there is a group already please let us know and who is the state official in charge of the lake. Thanks Dennis

[pastorbass]

I was fishing there last year and was told by a student that at one time the rec department at WKU did a lot of work at the lake - cleaning, research, ect.

Shanty Hollow does have a lot of potential if it can be maintained and kept clean. I was warned by someone who lives in the area, when bank fishing, don't venture off the beaten path due to illegal activity going on.

[BigPoppy]

I can definetly understand that, it is remote and alot of the old four wheeler trails have been cut off and it looks like the walking trails have grown over too. it is a shame this could and should be a great place for family fun it is a very pretty lake, and with a small boat and a trolling motor an easy lake to fish. I am going to find out who the fisheries biologist is for the lake or the wild life officer and see what I can find out. I know in three hours the other day there were several cars and trucks full of folks who came through there and I do not think fishing was the goal in any way shape or form. so thanks for the advice on the trail and from now on I will make sure to carry a little more tackle for insurance with us. Igf I find a group or if I can start one I will post it here and try to find others to help ctreate a family fishery.

[RoadToad]

I had never heard of the place, but from what I've found on the web about it, it appears there's some nice camping not far away, and the fishing can be good! I'd like to check it out some time. Even if I don't, thank you for leaving it so much cleaner than you found it.

I believe your fisheries biologist would be Eric Cummins: http://fw.ky.gov/fishbiol.asp?lid=682&NavPath=C200