Protecting Kentucky’s Trophy Catfish: Why House Bill 397 Matters Now

At Kentucky Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, we’ve been working alongside local anglers and the catfishing community along Ohio River, and after multiple years of advocacy, we’re starting to break the surface of the water. Anglers, guides, and conservationists have long seen pressures mounting on prized trophy catfish populations in the Ohio River. In response, the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly has introduced House Bill 397, legislation aimed at tightening protections for trophy catfish by setting clear size thresholds, phasing out certain trophy harvest permits on the Lower Ohio River, and restricting live transport of wild trophy catfish.

Recent enforcement actions underscore why this bill isn’t just timely. In Operation River Raid, a 10-month multi-agency investigation revealed widespread illegal commercial harvesting and sales of catfish from public waters, including over 300,000 pounds of illegally taken fish. Officials anticipate more than 700 criminal charges spanning six counties, with allegations of harvest under-reporting that undermine fishery management and sustainability, especially for trophy fish that can take decades to reach breeding size.

This crackdown isn’t isolated. In 2023, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s multi-year probe into pay lake practices cited more than 60 facilities for violations related to operating without licenses, failing to document purchases, and improperly obtaining catfish, including trophy-sized fish up to 47 pounds. These investigations were sparked by concerns from the public water anglers who saw valuable fish leaving public waters and showing up in unregulated private fisheries.

Biological data from annual Ohio River sampling further reflects the need for thoughtful regulation. Decades of catch and effort data compiled by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife show how recreational and commercial pressures, combined with inconsistent harvest reporting, have made it difficult to track true population trends for catfish species that provide iconic fishing experiences for generations of Kentuckians.

While many private pay lakes operate responsibly, protecting public fisheries from overexploitation is essential to maintaining trust, access, and opportunity for all anglers. Across social media and other angler forums, the conversation is clear: sportsmen and women overwhelmingly support efforts to protect trophy catfish. Comments on posts about Operation River Raid are filled with gratitude for enforcement and concern for the future of the fishery, one angler even shared how “after years chasing catfish in Kentucky waters, seeing the population drop makes these protections essential.”

At its core, Kentucky Backcountry Hunters and Anglers exists to defend public lands and public waters, uphold the ethic of fair chase, and ensure that everyday sportsmen and women continue to have meaningful access to the outdoor traditions that define our Commonwealth. Trophy catfish are not commodities for sale, they are public resources that belong in our rivers and lakes, where anglers of all backgrounds can pursue them legally, ethically, and on equal footing. Thoughtful protections like those proposed in House Bill 397 help ensure these fish remain part of healthy, sustainable fisheries rather than being quietly removed from public waters and redirected elsewhere.

We encourage hunters and anglers across Kentucky to stay engaged, share their experiences, and make their voices heard as House Bill 397 moves forward. Talk with your fellow sportsmen and women, participate respectfully in public discussions, and reach out to your legislators in support of fair, science-based conservation. Together, we can safeguard Kentucky’s waters, preserve the tradition of fair chase, and ensure that future generations have the same chance to pursue trophy catfish in the public waters.