Fort Knox Military Reservation

WMA Overview

Size: 108618 acres
Location: Bullitt, Meade & Hardin
Contact: Fort Knox Hunt Control Office (502) 624-7311 or (502) 624-2712
Elevation: minimum feet, maximum feet.
Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 37.9299, Longitude W -85.9469
Area Habitat: open land 14.07%, forest 72.57%, wetland 12.78%, open water 0.59%.

Regulations

Spring Hunting: Open under statewide regulations, except:

  • Spring Turkey: Turkeys take are bonus birds.
  • Spring Squirrel: Open to spring squirrel hunting. See small game hunting guidelines on iSportsman for authorized methods of take and season dates, or call the Hunt Control Office.

Post permit and iSportsman account required. Hunters must register firearms at the Visitor Center located at the Chaffee Gate before bringing them into the installation. Hunters ages 12-60 must have a hunter education card, or hunter education exemption permit.

For season dates, hunting requirements, information about firearms registration, and other details, please call (502-624-7311 or 502-624-2712) or visit Fort Knox’s Hunting Guidelines. (https://ftknox.isportsman.net/)

Directions & Description

Active military installation located thirty miles south of Louisville on US 31W. Approximately 65,000 acres are potentially available for hunting and fishing when the military mission permits. Access to the installation for hunting and fishing is coordinated through the Hunt Control Office and is strictly controlled and rigidly enforced. An iSportsman account (https://ftknox.isportsman.net/) is required for all persons wishing to obtain a hunting or fishing permit. Checking into and out of hunting and fishing areas will be conducted through the iSportsman system or at the Hunt Control Office located in Building 9297, 4916 Wilson Road (Latitude N 37.92985, Longitude W -85.94689).

Primarily forested with rolling uplands, broad ridge tops, and narrow valleys with steep slopes, Fort Knox has a variety of habitats that support hunting for small game species such as squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, raccoon, and migratory birds as well as quality deer and wild turkey hunting.

There is a variety of quality fishing resources available on the installation. This includes trout fishing in Otter Creek; largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill fishing in the seven managed and numerous unmanaged lakes; and smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and longear sunfish fishing in Mill Creek, Cedar Creek, and Otter Creek.

Quota archery and gun deer hunts by application only through the iSportsman system. Weapons registration and Fort Knox hunting and fishing permits required. Camping is allowed for nonmilitary affiliated personnel only during the deer season at Camp Carlson (502-624-4836). Area also features the U.S. Bullion Depository, Patton Museum, and Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area.

Hunting and fishing on Fort Knox is available to the general public within the constraints of the resources and safety.