The lock chamber of the Lake Barkley tailwater has closed to fishing, bowfishing, and boat anchoring in order to protect an experimental barrier being installed to block the movement of Asian carp into the lake.
Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife say the bio-acoustic fish fence to deter Asian carp from moving through the local chambers of the dams is set to become operational during the first week of November.
The device, which uses a combination of bubbles, sound, and light to create an underwater curtain, is being used to discourage invasive carp from entering the lock chamber. Officials say fishing access is restricted within 200 feet of the bio-acoustic fish fence because hooks, arrows, and weights could potentially damage the acoustics and air system.
Signs are being posted to advise boaters of the protective zone, which is allowed under Kentucky Fish and Wildlife regulations.
According to officials, the experimental system will be tested for at least three years. If successful, the technology could be deployed in other rivers as a permanent deterrent to the upriver mitigation of Asian carp.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials held several meetings to inform the public about the experiment and the need to establish a restricted area and received no negative comments.
