MANAGING FEE FISHING OPERATIONS

Forrest Wynne, Aquaculture Extension Specialist , Kentucky State University

Cooperative Extension Program, Graves County Cooperative Extension Office,

251 Housman Street, Mayfield, KY 42066-1165 Telephone:(270)247-2334 FAX:(270)257-5193

Revised January, 2001

There are approximately 175 documented, privately owned fee fishing operations in Kentucky. Fee fishing is the preferred business title by many operators; however these facilities may often be called pay lakes or fish‑out ponds. Fee fishing operations usually consist of one or more 1/2 ‑ 10 acre ponds. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) requires fee fishing operations to stock a minimum of 500 lbs of adult catfish per surface acre of water, at least twice a year. The KDFWR charges a pay lake license fee of $125.00. A fee of $20.00 per acre is charged for each additional surface acre of pond(s). Registered fee fishing operations are provided with daily licenses for customers. Yearly fishing licenses are required when fishing at non‑registered facilities.

Fee fishing ponds are typically stocked with 1‑4 lb channel catfish at densities of 1000‑4000 lbs per surface acre. Kentucky fee fishing ponds are often stocked with 300 lbs of fish or more, on a Thursday or Friday. Customers often observe weekly stockings. The fish are bought from live haulers at prices of $.95 ‑ 1.85 per lb. The price of fish paid by fee fishing operations is often dependent on the quantity of fish ordered and the distance they must be transported.

Heavy pond stocking and aeration helps insure fishing success. Aeration devices and water testing equipment should be available for operations which stock 1000 lbs of fish per surface acre, or greater. Aeration devices should be placed so they can operate effectively, but provide as little inconvenience and potential danger to customers as possible. Electric aeration devices rated at 1 hp per acre may be placed on timers and used for supplemental aeration. Larger gasoline or diesel powered aerators may be more desirable for severe oxygen depletions and other emergency situations.

Natural waters will produce 20 ‑ 200 lbs of fish per surface acre. Additionally, many of these fish may be undersized or be an undesired species. Fee fishing lakes provide an alternative fishing resource for those who are not interested, or unable to utilize more natural fisheries. Kentucky's fee fishing industry annually imports about 2 million lbs of catfish from other southern states, while producing roughly 6% of the fish it requires.

Fee fishing operations accept frequent, small deliveries of variable size fish. Fee fishing lakes provide a local market for beginning and small scale catfish producers. Fee fishing markets have provided a vital link in establishing the pond raised catfish industry in other southern states. One or two fee fishing operations exist in many Kentucky counties. Often these facilities will be located near large population centers. However, many successful operations exist in more rural areas. A 1984 KSU fee fishing survey indicated 42% of Kentucky customers fished alone, while 44% fished in family groups. Most customers were male, and traveled from local or nearby areas.

Fee fishing operations should have limited access for security purposes. Irregular shaped ponds of 1/2 ‑ 2 acres will provide a more natural and aesthetic fishing environment. Smaller ponds are easier to manage. Two or three ponds provide management advantages over a single pond operation. If fish are off flavored, become diseased, will not bite, or if pond repairs are needed, the business will not be forced to close.

Drain structures should be installed to allow rapid pond draining. Shallow pond areas, less than 2 feet in depth, should be avoided since they promote aquatic plant growth. Triploid grass carp may be stocked to control soft stemmed aquatic plants; however, these fish are periodically caught by hook and line.

If possible, fee fishing ponds should be constructed with a 3 ‑ 5 foot depth. A smooth pond bottom permits the seining of non‑biting fish. The numbers of non‑biting, or hard to catch fish has been estimated as high as 40% in a survey of Alabama fee fishing operations. Good parking facilities and a combination ticket/concession stand should be located at the main entrance. Property liability insurance may be considered, or accident release forms should be signed as customers enter the property. The Kentucky fee fishing season generally runs from the middle of March to early November. Some fee fishing operations are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Others have limited hours or are open Thursday through Sunday.

Kentucky fee fishing operations charge either a general admission fee of about $5 ‑ 7.00 a day (called "Ticket Lakes"), or charge a smaller admission fee of $2 ‑ 3.00 and an additional $1.25 ‑ 1.85 per pound of fish caught (called "Pound Lakes"). Selling fish by the pound provides more accurate fish stock records but requires an attendant to weigh the fish as customers leave. Customers should be discouraged from returning captured fish to the pond since they often do not survive.

Bonus ponds may be stocked with hybrid bream or large catfish. Rainbow trout may be stocked during the fall, winter and spring months when water temperatures remain below 68 degrees F. Bonus ponds have been used successfully to attract fee fishing customers. Stocking largemouth bass, crappie, shad, bluegill and other fish into fee fishing ponds can make pond management difficult and should be avoided.

Catfish will "take the hook" better if they are fed less than 1% of their body weight per day. Feeding will allow the fish's immune system to combat disease and to maintain its body weight. Supplemental feeding will keep the fish healthier making them hungrier. Convincing fee fishing customers of the benefits of supplemental feeding may be difficult. Feeding may especially discourage customers in general admission lakes as opposed to those lakes which charge on a per pound basis. Night feeding using a sinking feed, feeding when the operation is closed, or choosing not to feed may be the best management policy depending on the clientele.

Fee fishing operations make most of their profits from the sale of concession items. Fishing tackle, worms, chicken livers, stink baits, soft drinks, and candy are commonly sold. Fishing rods and reels may be sold or rented. Cane poles or spin casting gear is most frequently used. Deposits may help discourage rental equipment vandalism. Many fee fishing operations use holding tanks to sell additional fish to fishermen, or to customers not interested in fishing. Some fee fishing operations will accept food stamps.

Fish cleaning ($.25 ‑ .35 per lb or fish) and food vending services are often provided. Adequate restroom facilities are necessary to insure the success of an operation. Consult the county health department about existing regulations regarding these types of facilities. Some fee fishing operations provide alternative activities for non‑fishermen such as pony rides, game rooms, playgrounds, camping, etc.

Aesthetics, facility cleanliness and safety are important details which can determine an operation's success. Providing paved or gravel pond banks which are clear of vegetation near the water's edge will improve accessibility. Benches, picnic tables, shelters, and shade trees may be located a short distance from the pond. Litter containers and life saving gear should be readily accessible. Entrance signs displaying regulations such as, the limit of two fishing rods per fishermen, fish size or quantity limits, and prohibiting the use of alcohol, abusive language etc. are useful management tools.

Many fee fishing operations depend on repeat customers and word of mouth advertising to attract business. Attractive roadside signs as well as radio, television, and newspaper advertisements may also attract customers. A fee fishing operation's success will depend on the manager's ability to run a business and manage the public, in addition to managing the fish. It is important to remember that fee fishing customers expect to catch fish.