Early Summer on Elkhorn Creek

[redneckshadrap]

Since the boy drowned at Great Crossings the ramp ABOVE the Robinson Dam is roped off. This was last yr. I live in Georgetown.
Several 4-5 milers without portages. It's 7 miles from Switzer to the Forks...No dam...12 mile from Knights to the River...no dam.

[Fntsyfbgod]

Me and my cousin got a kick out of the Bassmaster article on Elkhorn. In the little numbers box it had the number of bridges that crossed the Elkhorn stems which was a high number and it said that they could all be used as access points. Yeah right some you can. The access to Elkhorn gets worst every year I cant believe the state hasnt bought a couple little spots for people to use as access points. Especially being so close to Frankfort and being one of the states most famed fisheries. The way access is treated on Elkhorn would be unimaginable in most parts of the state. The good news is if you ask nicely many landowners will let you put in.

[bassman_ky]

Since the boy drowned at Great Crossings the ramp ABOVE the Robinson Dam is roped off. This was last yr. I live in Georgetown.
Several 4-5 milers without portages. It's 7 miles from Switzer to the Forks...No dam...12 mile from Knights to the River...no dam.

Yeah there are longer portages. Never been from knights to the river. Have fished stillwaters area though. I was trying to give him something a lttle less swift where he is not using a canoe. I have grown up fishing the stretch from woodlake to switzer. Been fishing this area 20+ years. It still never gets old. Don't get me wrong I love ky lake, barren, etc but sometimes it feels good to get back to your fishin roots. That is it for me.

[redneckshadrap]

Yeah there are longer portages. Never been from knights to the river. Have fished stillwaters area though. I was trying to give him something a lttle less swift where he is not using a canoe. I have grown up fishing the stretch from woodlake to switzer. Been fishing this area 20+ years. It still never gets old. Don't get me wrong I love ky lake, barren, etc but sometimes it feels good to get back to your fishin roots. That is it for me.

That's the only stretch I haven't been on....Would like to give it a whirl one of these days.

[DKing07]

I came across a little harsh there. My panties were indeed in a bunch. Just realize that when you toss the "Internet cast net" you're going to catch several species. Some just do want to fish, others might not have the resources best interests in mind. The Internet is a big pond and it doesn't discriminate with regards to the type of person tha can obtain the information. I was lucky enough to get "the lecture" many many years ago and in the many years since I've grown to love and respect those that gave it. Just use a little caution is all I'm saying.....

I'm sorry if it seemed like I was insulting you, I was only trying to keep the peace, it seems like you really appreciate taking care of the fishing resources out there.

[bassman_ky]

That's the only stretch I haven't been on....Would like to give it a whirl one of these days.

There is a lot deeper pools that still have quit a bit of current in them. I have an uncle that lives about a mile up from the woodlake bridge and another uncle that lives about 5 miles up from switzer covered bridge. Those are my access points. There is a dam about a mile and half below the woodlake bridge that dynamite.

[redneckshadrap]

Are Woodlake and White Oak on in the same?

[bassman_ky]

Are Woodlake and White Oak on in the same?

Woodlake is about 3 miles downstream from White Oak. If you go st ground rd(227) toward st grd Woodlake rd is a hundred and fifty yards past the bank on the left. The bridge I am talking about is 3-4 miles down that road.

[revoreeler]

Woodlake is about 3 miles downstream from White Oak. If you go st ground rd(227) toward st grd Woodlake rd is a hundred and fifty yards past the bank on the left. The bridge I am talking about is 3-4 miles down that road.

Bassman, you bring back a lot of memories of fishing from growing up. I fished Woodlake, White Oak, Galloway and Switzer with my dad when I was a kid. In the early 70's they stocked trout at Galloway Pike bridge. Did your greatgrand parents own a farm between Stamping Ground and Switzer that backed up to Elkhorn? If they did, I use to fish there with your Mom's cousin Mark.

[colonelmeyer]

I'm definitely going to be able to make it down there this year. One of my pals at work always talks about how great the Elkhorn is. Finally got my own boat, even if its just a kayak. Can't wait. Anyway I have a few access questions. I know that the property owners rights extend to the stream bed even if it is under water all year. Also know that if you float there you can legally get out and wade in the water as long as you don't get to far out of the water. Question one, it was my understanding that if a bridge was built with tax dollars that an easement corridor comes with that bridge. So in lay terms without considering parking, is it legal to put in/take out under a bridge payed for and maintained by my tax dollars?

[DKing07]

I'm definitely going to be able to make it down there this year. One of my pals at work always talks about how great the Elkhorn is. Finally got my own boat, even if its just a kayak. Can't wait. Anyway I have a few access questions. I know that the property owners rights extend to the stream bed even if it is under water all year. Also know that if you float there you can legally get out and wade in the water as long as you don't get to far out of the water. Question one, it was my understanding that if a bridge was built with tax dollars that an easement corridor comes with that bridge. So in lay terms without considering parking, is it legal to put in/take out under a bridge payed for and maintained by my tax dollars?

Sure, as long as you get permission from the landowner of the land that you use to get down to the water

[colonelmeyer]

I found this on American Whitewater and I think I have seen it before on this very board.

State Test of Navigability
Kentucky, through its case law, has adopted a state test of navigability that makes streams navigable if they are navigable in the legal or technical sense and not the ordinary sense.2) The criteria for navigability of a river is whether it is “generally and commonly useful for some purpose of trade or commerce of a substantial and permanent character, for, if this were not so, then there is scarcely a creek or stream in the entire country which is not navigable water of the United States.”3) This essentially means that ”[I]f the stream, in its natural condition, is capable of being used for floating vessels, rafts, logs, etc., and has in the past been used for that purpose, the public has an easement in it.”4) However, the “use of a stream by a boat a few times in many years for a picnic or excursion cannot be deemed a navigation.”5) The courts in Kentucky also expressly reject the recreational boating test, so the fact that a skiff, small raft or canoe are able to float a stream is not sufficient to constitute navigability.6) The courts have even gone so far as to state that streams that have pools of water formed in which a ferry could pass does not constitute a navigable stream throughout its length, but only in that particular area.7)


Now, if Canoe KY can rent canoes and trips for profit, than I would call that “generally and commonly useful for some purpose of trade or commerce of a substantial and permanent character,"