The Dates
The dates for the convention will May 29 - June 1, 2025. A full itinerary will be published soon.
Thursday: Registration check in at KY Dam Village Lodge
Open Day: We encourage
you to check out the surrounding "Land Between the Lakes" area. There
are many activities to do on the water or land.
- Boat rentals are available at the Lodge.
- Visit Kentucky Dam
- Check out the Woodlands Nature Station and the Elk and Bison Sanctuary
- Multiple Beaches
- Many Hiking trails
Friday:
9:00am - 1:00pm
Electro-Fishing of the
Kentucky Lake tailwaters with Matthew Dollenbacher of the KDFWR. We
will have large water troughs setup with fish for IDing and photos on
the beach next to the ramp
Meet at the tailwaters boat launch: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J3e6YdTCsweFkjZi9
For anyone that wants to get on the shock boat, they will have to watch this 25 minute video before they can do so:
Lunch on your own.
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Presentations
- Cameron Layne: An eDNA Assessment of the Diamond Darter
- Tyler Muller: A taxonomic revision of Pirate Perches
- Brian Zimmerman: Ohio reintroduction updates
- Timothy Spier, Murray St University: Alligator Gar Tracking and Shawnee Cavefish
Banquet:
Southern Fried Chicken,
Home Style Meatloaf,
Mashed Potatoes,
Macaroni and Cheese,
Blackberry Cobbler,
& Banana Pudding
7:00pm-10:00pm Auction
Saturday: Field Trips
The 2025 NANFA Convention will offer 4 unique fish collecting experiences. See Field Trip summaries below.
Also, we will be working with KDFWR on species documentation. Please sign up for this project and document species that are found. If you don't want to use inaturalist, you can still report data to the KDFWR via lists and photos.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2025-nanfa
Also, we will be working with KDFWR on species documentation. Please sign up for this project and document species that are found. If you don't want to use inaturalist, you can still report data to the KDFWR via lists and photos.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2025-nanfa
Locations map
Sunday:
Exit trips same as Saturday
Field Trips: The 2025 NANFA Convention will offer 4 unique fish collecting experiences.
Trip 1: Mississippi River Drainage: Collecting locations west of the convention location. Will visit streams and sloughs, as well as ponds and larger bodies of water.
Species of Interest:
- Banded Pygmy Sunfish
- Bantam Sunfish
- Blacktail Shiner
- Redfin Shiner
- Red Shiner
- Gulf Darter
- Firebelly Darter
- Brighteye Darter
- Golden Topminnow
- Bowfin
Trip 2: Ohio, Tradewater, & Cumberland Drainages: Collecting locations of creeks and streams that feed into each of these systems.
Species of Interest:
- Slabrock Darter
- Fringed Darter
- Channel Shiner
- Mississippi Silvery Minnow
- Mud Darter
- Flier
- Red Shiner
- Topminnows
- Ribbon Shiner
Trip 3: Green & Lower Cumberland Drainages: Collecting locations to creeks and main water bodies on the Green & Cumberland Rivers
Species of Interest:
- Saffron Darter
- Fringed Darter
- Slabrock Darter
- Redtail Chubs
- Redline Darter
- Scarlet Shiner
- Slenderhead Darter
- Steelcolor Shiner
- Spring Cavefish
- Harlequin Darter
Trip 4: Electro-Shocking with Tim Spier: Boat shocking at the Ballard and Boatwright WMA's. Backpack shocking at the Land Between the Lakes.
The Venue
Kentucky Dam Village, on the shore of Kentucky Lake. Offers lakeside beauty with easy access to the outdoor paradise of Land Between the Lakes.
Address
166 Upper Village Dr, Gilbertsville, KY 42044
Registration Info:
Payment includes all Activities (trips and presentations), Banquet, and Convention T-shirt.
*TOM WATSON MEMORIAL STUDENT CONVENTION AWARD APPLICATION
For the 2025 convention in Kentucky, NANFA will provide free registrations (including a t-shirt, all activities, and banquet), plus a year’s free membership, for up to six (6) students.
Click here to get an application
For the 2025 convention in Kentucky, NANFA will provide free registrations (including a t-shirt, all activities, and banquet), plus a year’s free membership, for up to six (6) students.
Click here to get an application
| Individual Registration | $100 |
| Student Registration | $50 * |
| Individual + Spouse | $100 + $35 |
Registration is closed at this time (we have reached capacity for our venue).
Lodging
Kentucky Dam Village, on the shore of Kentucky Lake, offers rooms, cottages, and campsites. The venue is holding a limited number of lodge rooms for the group, but please book quickly. Click here to make a reservation and remember to mention Group Code: 5420
- Lodge:
- Room Type: 2 Double Beds
- Thursday: $98.96
- Friday & Saturday: $107.96/night
- Cottages:
- These are not subject to our group code and vary in price depending on the unit. Visit the link above and search Without the group code.
- Camping:
- Primitive campsites as well as RV sites are available. Visit the above link to view and book.
Travel Considerations
If you are planning to fly in and then drive, Kentucky Dam Village is approximately 2 hours from Nashville TN or 3 hours from Louisville KY.
Convention and Kentucky Regulations
In cooperation with the KDFWR the following rules will be in place for all attendees:
Anyone fishing, microfishing, or in the water with hands on seines will need a valid Kentucky Fishing Licenses
The linked documents outline equipment regulations and baitfish regulation:
Sportfish Regulation
Baitfish Regulation
Furthermore, the following fish are considered No Take Species. These include Federally Threatened and Endangered species, as well as State listed species. NANFA No-Take Species