Orders Being Taken for New Smallmouth Bass License Plate
The Kentucky Department of Transportation recently approved the sale of a new special license plate depicting the world record smallmouth bass.
“The new license plate commemorates David L. Hayes’ world record smallmouth bass caught in Kentucky from Dale Hollow Lake in 1955,” said Chad Miles, director of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “The proceeds from the sale of this plate support conservation education efforts in Kentucky, mainly the summer conservation camps at Camp John Currie on Kentucky Lake, Camp Earl Wallace on Lake Cumberland and Camp Robert C. Webb on Grayson Lake.”
Hayes caught the 11-pound, 15-ounce world record smallmouth bass while trolling a Bomber crankbait near the location of the new boat ramp at Dale Hollow State Resort Park on the morning of July 9, 1955. The center of the new license plate is a reproduction of renowned wildlife artist Rick Hill’s painting of the world record smallmouth.
The plate costs $25. Preorders are now being accepted. “You get a $25 credit and will receive a postcard in March of 2013 to pick up your plate,” Miles said. “Early signups will be taken until Oct. 20. Our goal is to sell 900 plates by then.”
This special plate replaces a normal license plate. “They will have the correct sticker for your birth month on the plate when you pick it up,” Miles explained. “It will be the same when you go to renew your tags.”
To purchase a plate, visit www.kentuckywildilfe.com and click on the link provided.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, is responsible for the conservation of fish and wildlife resources and for boating projects in the state. A commissioner appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission heads the department. The commission, which is responsible for department policy, is a nine member bipartisan body appointed by the governor from a list of candidates voted upon by sportsmen's organizations in each of nine districts.
