Catfish permits would end and live fish transport would be limited

The fishing department would let existing permits for lower Ohio River trophy catfish expire and would stop issuing or reissuing those permits after the deadline. This covers blue or flathead catfish at least 40 inches long and channel catfish at least 30 inches long in the lower Ohio River and its tributaries open to commercial fishing. The department would not issue or reissue a new permit after the deadline. A surrendered permit could not be transferred or reissued after the Act takes effect. Each covered permit would expire on May 31, 2027; the no-transfer and no-reissue rule for surrendered permits would begin when the Act takes effect.

A person would be barred from transporting a live trophy catfish except by boat while legally fishing. This covers blue or flathead catfish at least 35 inches long and channel catfish at least 28 inches long. The person must be fishing legally, either commercially or recreationally. The person must have all permits and licenses required by the fishing department. The transport restriction would apply after the Act takes effect; a first conviction would be a Class A misdemeanor, and each later conviction would be a Class D felony.