Catfish Trafficking Ring Bust Results in Over 180 Violations for Nine Suspects Across Three States

When it comes to catching catfish, one way to do it is by way of pay lakes, which are often private lakes that, as the name suggests, require outsiders to pay to play. In the case of these pay lakes, anglers from across the country will pay for the opportunity to hook into some massive fish. They provide great opportunities for both young and experienced anglers alike, offering a great way for youngsters to catch a pile of fish on their first time out.

While the concept of pay lakes is one that typically operates comfortably within the confines of the law, when it comes to stocking them, pay lake operators are required to keep detailed records regarding any fish that have been put into their lake and where they came from. 

Originally tipped off by a series of social media posts advertising anglers taking over their legal limit of catfish at pay lakes in Kentucky, the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife wasted no time investigating.

The focal point of the investigation was on Green Valley Pay Lake located in Glasgow, Kentucky. According to officials, non-commercial fishermen were going to Barren River Lake and catching over their limit of catfish and selling them to Green Valley Pay Lake at a discount. Because commercially-licensed anglers are legally able to sell fish species to pay lakes, their prices often reflect that. In an effort to cut down on the cost of acquisition, the investigation uncovered a network of illegal anglers on the Barren River Lake, which is closed to commercial fishing and has a strict limit of one trophy catfish per day.

As the investigation progressed, search warrants and a number of compliance checks revealed that a number of pay lake operators were knowingly purchasing catfish from restricted waterways from unlicensed fishermen.  According to reports, throughout 2023, anglers from both Kentucky and Alabama caught thousands of pounds of catfish without permits and transported and sold them to pay lakes, sometimes across state lines.

Given the fact that the investigation was now entangled in Lacey Act violations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also got in on the action.

In total, nine people have been cited for 180 wildlife violations spread across Kentucky, Alabama and Tennessee. 

Local news outlet WBKO filed a public information request with KDFW that revealed the identities and charge sheets for five of the nine suspects:

• Melinda Carter, age unspecified, Glasgow, Kentucky, pay lake operator: 81 counts of buying, selling, and transporting protected wildlife, 2 counts of violating pay lake operations regulations. Court proceeding pending.

• Danny Whitmire, 50, Town Creek, Alabama, commercial fisherman: 7 counts of buying, selling, and transporting protected wildlife, 2 counts of violating regulations due to lack of transportation permit and live fish/bait dealer’s license. Court proceeding pending.

• April White, 46, Bridgeport, Alabama, commercial fisherman: 7 counts of buying, selling, and transporting protected wildlife, 2 counts of violating regulations for lack of transportation permit and live fish/bait dealer’s license. Court proceeding pending. 

• Samuel Hatcher, 45, Glasgow, Kentucky, cooperating witness: pled guilty to 9 counts of size and creel violations, resulting in a $450 fine.

• Brandon Patrick, 30, Glasgow, Kentucky: 68 counts of buying, selling, and transporting protected wildlife, 4 counts of violating commercial fishing regulations, additional unknown license violations. Court proceedings pending.

The investigation remains on-going and as such, we expect more details in the coming weeks.