FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission established hunting seasons, user fees and other rules for the 2,155-acre Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area in Meade County at its Dec. 3 quarterly meeting.

The Commission recommends all hunting, fishing and boating regulations and approves all expenditures by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. All regulations also must be approved by a legislative process.

“The city of Louisville was forced to close Otter Creek Park because it cost too much to keep it open,” said Jon Gassett, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “We plan to reopen this park as an outdoor recreation area with a user fee to offset our operational costs. Most of our national parks charge access fees to help pay for their operation. Access fees can help keep the Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area open for generations to come.”

The area is currently closed. The department plans to reopen the property in late spring to early summer 2011.

A $3 per person daily access fee will be charged for activities such as picnicking, hiking, bird watching, disc golf, wildlife watching and geocaching. A person may buy a $30 annual fee for these activities. Children under the age of 12 may access the park for free.

Anglers and hunters will pay the $3 daily access fee in addition to a valid fishing or hunting license and appropriate permits.

“For almost 70 years, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources story has been one of self-sufficiency, thanks to the license purchases and fees paid by hunters, anglers and boaters,” Gassett said. “User fees support the department and its programs.”

An additional $7 daily activity permit will be charged for high impact activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking and use of the shooting ranges that will be constructed. A $70 annual permit will be available for those activities.

“We believe the most reasonable approach is to ask those who use this recreation area for picnicking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping and more to help shoulder the cost of operating it and keeping it open to the public,” Gassett said.

Hunters may pursue squirrels, rabbits, furbearers, turkeys and deer once the park reopens. Squirrel and furbearer hunting will be open under statewide regulations. In 2011, rabbits may be hunted from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31. 

Deer hunting with archery and crossbow equipment will be open under statewide regulations. Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area will host two firearms quota deer hunts on Nov. 19-20 and Dec. 10-11, 2011. The park will closed to all other activities during quota deer hunts and spring wild turkey season.

Otter Creek offers excellent stream fishing for smallmouth bass and rainbow trout. Once the area reopens to public use, anglers must possess a trout stamp to keep rainbow trout.