Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area officials have announced the typical closures of nine wildlife refuges to human traffic — which includes hunting, fishing and boating — from now until March 15 of next year.
These areas include portions of Duncan Bay, Smith Bay and Rushing Bay on Kentucky Lake, Fulton Bay and Honker Bay on Lake Barkley, Long Creek Refuge at the back of Elbow Bay, and the western third of Energy Lake.
All of Energy and Bards lakes will be closed to hunting, but the eastern two-thirds of Energy Lake and all of Bards Lake will remain open to fishing.
Hematite and Honker lakes will be closed to fishing and boating, but their trails will remain open.
These closures will provide undisturbed resting and feeding zones for waterfowl, shorebirds and bald eagles, and the staff at LBL is asking for public cooperation with refuge regulations designed to provide sanctuary.
All hunters should remain aware that hunting is not permitted within 150 yards of any LBL facility. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted within 200 yards of any refuge boundary, and state regulations should be followed while navigating both the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.
These closed areas will be marked with buoys and signs.
