Yellowbank Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located 60 miles west of Louisville in Breckinridge County, is the destination for hunting, hiking and birdwatching. This 6,000-acre area borders the Ohio River and includes bottomland forests, farmland and 3,500 acres of upland deciduous wooded forests.
Approximately 1,000 acres of Yellowbank WMA is rotational farmland, with 400-600 acres planted each year in corn, soybeans and wheat. Another 1,500 acres contains old fields managed for small game, songbirds and other wildlife.
The
northernmost area includes a 125-acre waterfowl impoundment that attracts
waterfowl and shorebirds during their annual migrations. This lake is closed to
the public from Oct. 15 to March 15. However, a 5-acre Ducks
Unlimited-sponsored slough to the south is open to hunting.
The
southernmost area has a camping area with a pit restroom located off KY 259. An
archery trail and range behind the campground features more than 30 targets.
Yellowbank does not have a shooting range for guns.
Yellowbank
has two loop hiking trails. Both are ideal for spring wildflower viewing. One
trail begins near the information station, located south of the campground.
This 3-mile trail takes hikers into forest, past a lake, wetlands and around
geological formations.
The
second trail is located off Chenault School Road in the central section of the
WMA. This 1.8-mile trail goes through upland forests and features great views
of the Ohio River valley.
Yellowbank
is open for only two kinds of deer hunting: Archery (15-inch minimum spread on
bucks) and a youth-mentor quota gun hunt. Yellowbank is open for rabbit,
squirrel, dove and turkey hunting. Check your hunting guide for more information.
Waterfowl
hunting is good when the weather pushes in birds. However, few inland lakes or
ponds are available for duck and goose hunting, so most waterfowlers use the
boat ramp at Yellowbank Creek to access the Ohio River. Yellowbank WMA features
3.5 miles of Ohio River frontage.
For
anglers, the area features several ponds stocked with bluegill, bass and
channel catfish. The river also offers good angling in summer for catfish.
Although boats provide the best access to the river, there are some areas where
anglers can walk a short distance to the Ohio River.
The
area has 10 miles of maintained gravel roads with plenty of pull-off areas.
Another 25-plus miles of grass roads provide additional foot access.
Maintained
roads are open to horseback riders. Riding is not allowed off-trail or along
hiking trails. Groups of 10 or more riders must obtain a permit through the
manager's office at least 30 days in advance.
Birders
should note that Yellowbank is a frequent stop for warblers migrating in the
spring, including some uncommon varieties. Bald eagles nest on the opposite
shoreline and are present year round. Ospreys, cormorants, wood ducks and many
other species of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors also use the area throughout
the year.
For
a detailed map of the area, go to http://fw.ky.gov
on the Internet. Click the “Species Information, Maps and GIS” button then
click “WMA Maps.”
Steve McMillen manages
Yellowbank WMA for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
From
Owensboro: Take U.S. 60 east. Turn north onto KY 259 toward Hardinsburg and go
approximately 20 miles. From Louisville or Elizabethtown: Yellowbank is 20
miles west of Brandenburg, off KY 144 to KY 259 (north).