State Sen. Gary Boswell, R-Owensboro, has filed Senate Bill 39 in what he said is an effort to reaffirm private property rights by clarifying fishing and stocking rules for privately owned lakes and ponds.
Boswell said Senate Bill 39 ensures private landowners are not subject to state limits on creel size, possession, or methods of take when fishing in privately owned lakes or ponds located on their property. The bill also allows landowners to extend those fishing privileges to others through written or electronic permission.
The legislation further clarifies that private pond owners are exempt from state stocking requirements, except for invasive species, and confirms that certain largemouth bass, including first-generation F1 bass, are not considered invasive for stocking purposes.
“This is about respecting private property and common sense,” Boswell said. “If someone owns the land and the water, they should have clear authority over how it’s used, while still protecting against truly invasive species.”
Senate Bill 39 focuses on landowner rights, outdoor traditions, and regulatory clarity without affecting public waters or conservation enforcement, Boswell said.
Stay updated on legislative measures, including SB 39, at legislature.ky.gov.
