Crossing state lines on the water???

[Tim_T]

Anglers may use either a Kentucky or Tennessee license while fishing in the Wolf River arm of the reservoir. This includes the Illwill Creek embayment beginning at a line crossing the Wolf River at its mouth where it joins the Obey River and the main part of the lake.

[mhall]

I make that run many many times a year. From the State Park ramp to sulpher and back, on Dale Hollow the Smallmouth are 1 under 16" & 1 over 21", Largemouth and Spots are 15" so what does it matter where you are. And Yes I keep some of my spots to eat. I put in at State last Sat. with no trouble, 21' ProCraft.

Ky's don't have to be 15 inches, there is no size limit on Spots that I'm aware of only a daily creel of 6.

[mhall]

Unless there is a reciprical agreement between the states involved to recognize either license in the area you are stopped...you better have the right license and your creel better be within the limits of the state you are stopped.

There is your answer fellas.

[thebassman30]

I've never been checked in KY on Dale. I've seen them running the lake, but not when I'm there Nov-Mar. The TN DNR is out there checking all the time. They are really nice guys. Once they check you once, they'll leave you alone...typically. In your case, I wouldn't worry. They don't stop you running unless you are doing something to give them cause.

I would say in this situation, unless they witnessed you catch it in TN....it's your story. As long as your straight with them about everything else, you'll be fine. They are good folks! However, what Dave said is right on.

I'm not sure what your wanting to fish in Sulphur, but there is some great water in the Wolf River. For $35, you access the rest. Then your covered if you ever hit Barkley/KY lakes

[JUSTINHALL]

In most all USA water if you have connecting state lines within a body of water us must have both fishing license to carry fish across state lines by water. And no they do not have to see you fishing in TN or KY to give you a ticket for that state. If you are in KY and you have fish you must have a KY license and vise versus. That is like saying the officer did not see me catching the fish that’s in my live well so I am going to tell him those are from my buddy using my boat yesterday. No license its ticket time, but like others said it is only illegal if you get caught. Don’t flip the ranger off as you’re going by and he might not pull you over.
The same laws apply fishing international water, if in Michigan and cross over to Canadian you must have Canadian license, and if fishing in Canada and you are putting in on MI side you must have Canadian and MI license. Oh and did I mention if you are fishing in Indian reservation water in MI you must have an Indian license that cost $125.00 and only lasts 4 weeks. Get caught there and your on Indian turf with penalty of maximum $500.00 fine but up to 2 weeks in jail. I will take the $500.00 fine please.

[smalleychaser]

I talked to Richard of Eastport Marina last night and he told me the Corps called
him to tell him that they were getting ready to drop the lake 4 more feet and
to move his docks. It was really low 4 weeks ago when I was down there.

[Col Forbin]

Dave was dead on. While on the water, outside of reciprocal areas you have to have that State's liscense. You have to have this for physically fishing as well as for Possession/creel (livewell) within that state. I have been stopped several times here and they always check your livewell. I don't mind - they will usually tell about the guys livewell that is overflowing, and where and how they were catching them. Basically, if you are on fish here and get checked - tell them you caught them far away - they don't keep secrets. Anytime there is a big tournament here out of the Ky side, the Tn DNR will often check nearly every boat that passes out of the reciprocal area.

Here is the # to get Tn. Liscense, and they can tell you all about it. 1-888-814-8972.

[davidsa]

I believe to get from Sulpher Creek (which is mostly KY water on Dale) to Ilwill Creek (which is all KY property) you have to go around Dale Hollow SP point which in the water looks like Tennessee property. I don't keep any bass period but if I had crappie in my livewell out of Sulpher, and I was running (not fishing) in the Tennesse connector water to Illwill, and I got pulled over by a gamewarden and fined I would first fight it then if fined call it a bad day and move on.

First, I have never been pulled over by a warden if I was not fishing or taking out the boat. Does not mean it does not happened but has not happened in 25 years. Second, Dale is very different then KY or Barkley. In Dale, one could go from KY to Tennessee water 5 times in 5 minutes of driving. Gamewardens have common sense and I believe they would generally apply the law appropriately. Now, if I'm taking out in Tennessee with a livewell full of fish with only a KY lisence then I think that would be risky.

I would not be surprised if someone worried about this possibility does not run down the lake at +50MPH with no life jacket on. That seems like a much bigger risk all things considered

[Gregory]

I found the answer to your question, Dave Stewart was right on.

*At the present time, there is no reciprocal fishing agreement between Kentucky and Tennessee; a separate license is required for each state's waters.

http://dalehollowlake.com/

[rickhise]

I live here by Dale an keep a boat/state park, IM on the water a couple times a week except now when IM out there dayily, they check you when your fishing not when your moving, you would have to give them a reason while moving to be stopped.
they understand all to well the issue you mentioned. The state ramp will handle any bassboat this week..........but ask me next week.

Id be curious the last time anyone was check by a Ky Game warden, not creel surveyor's, in Ky on Dale. I wouldnt pay much attention to the comments about what you fish you keep ...........

[stsburnsy]

I believe to get from Sulpher Creek (which is mostly KY water on Dale) to Ilwill Creek (which is all KY property) you have to go around Dale Hollow SP point which in the water looks like Tennessee property. I don't keep any bass period but if I had crappie in my livewell out of Sulpher, and I was running (not fishing) in the Tennesse connector water to Illwill, and I got pulled over by a gamewarden and fined I would first fight it then if fined call it a bad day and move on.

First, I have never been pulled over by a warden if I was not fishing or taking out the boat. Does not mean it does not happened but has not happened in 25 years. Second, Dale is very different then KY or Barkley. In Dale, one could go from KY to Tennessee water 5 times in 5 minutes of driving. Gamewardens have common sense and I believe they would generally apply the law appropriately. Now, if I'm taking out in Tennessee with a livewell full of fish with only a KY lisence then I think that would be risky.

I would not be surprised if someone worried about this possibility does not run down the lake at +50MPH with no life jacket on. That seems like a much bigger risk all things considered

Always wear a life jacket and my boat will not go +50MPH.

[Tim_T]

I found the answer to your question, Dave Stewart was right on.

*At the present time, there is no reciprocal fishing agreement between Kentucky and Tennessee; a separate license is required for each state's waters.

http://dalehollowlake.com/

Well there is some reciprocal water on Dale where you can fish using either state's license.

"Anglers may use a either a Tennessee or Kentucky sport fishing license while fishing the Wolf River amr of Dale Hollow Lake. This includes the Illwill Creek embayment beginning at a line crossing the Wolf River at its mouth were it joins Obey River and the main part of the lake. Anglers must obey the regualtions of the state in which they are licensed."

Straight from the fishing guide.