LBL closes portions of nine wildlife refuges until March 15

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area has closed nine wildlife refuges to human entry and all activities including hunting, fishing, and boating.

According to a news release, the areas will remain closed through March 15, 2022 and the closed areas are marked with buoys or signs.

The wildlife refuge closures include portions of Duncan Bay, Smith Bay, and Rushing Bay on Kentucky Lake, Fulton Bay and Honker Bay on Lake Barkley, the western one-third of Energy Lake—all of Energy Lake and Bards Lake are closed to hunting—while the eastern two-thirds of Energy Lake and all of Bards Lake remain open to fishing, Long Creek Refuge at the back of Elbow Bay and Hematite Lake and Honker Lake are closed to fishing and boating while the hiking trails remain open.

Closing the refuges provide undisturbed resting and feeding areas for waterfowl, shorebirds, and bald eagles.

Hunters should be aware that hunting is not permitted within 150 yards of any Land Between the Lakes facility and waterfowl hunting is not permitted within 200 yards of a refuge boundary. Staff at Land Between the Lakes asks for public cooperation with refuge regulations designed to provide much needed sanctuary.