Officials at Land Between The Lakes have announced the closures of nine wildlife refuges to human entry and all activities including, hunting, fishing, and boating, beginning November 1st.  These areas will remain closed through March 15. The refuge closures provide undisturbed resting and feeding areas for waterfowl, shorebirds, and eagles.

The wildlife refuges include portions of Duncan Bay, Smith Bay, and Rushing Bay on Kentucky Lake; Fulton and Honker Bays on Lake Barkley; and Long Creek Refuge at the back of Elbow Bay. Hematite Lake and Honker Lake, which are two inland bodies of water, also carry the November 1 to March 15 closure dates for fishing and boating. The hiking trails around these two lakes remain open to hikers during the refuge period. 

The western one-third of Energy Lake will also be closed as a refuge from November 1 to March 15.  All of Energy Lake and Bards Lake are closed to hunting, however, the eastern two-thirds of Energy Lake and all of Bards Lake remain open to fishing.