​​​FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2024) — The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has opened a new Wildlife Management Area in eastern Kentucky using funds from the Kentucky Wetland and Stream Mitigation Program for stream restoration projects on Little Sexton Creek.​​​

​​​Located in Clay and Jackson counties, Little Sextons Creek WMA comprises 1,114 acres along and north of Little Sexton Creek in Clay County, a tributary of the South Fork Kentucky River in neighboring Owsley County. Located north of Manchester, Kentucky, the property provides public access for hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, and is open under statewide regulations.

​​​The Kentucky Wetland and Stream Mitigation Program, also known as the Fees-In-Lieu-of Mitigation Fund or “FILO” for short, uses monies paid by developers who choose to pay into a restoration fund rather than directly mitigate their impacts made to streams or wetlands regulated under the U.S. Clean Water Act. These monies are held in a dedicated fund in the state treasury and used solely for wetland and stream mitigation projects like this.

A wildlife management area on Little Sexton Creek was created to restore aquatic habitat and water quality in headwater streams in the creek’s watershed benefitting downstream fisheries and the larger Kentucky River basin. Future habitat restoration activities will remedy erosion caused by stream bank instability.

Utilizing funds procured from modern development projects, we can work to restore and enhance natural wildlife areas that are so important for a healthy environment,” said Mike Strunk, southeast regional coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “The opening of this new WMA is a testament to our ongoing efforts to conserve fish and wildlife species and provide sustainable land use for future generations.”​​​

​​​Consisting mostly of forested and moderately steep terrain, the property has experienced both coal and timber harvest activity. It offers stands of trees of mixed age and reclaimed coal mine areas which offer opportunities for deer, turkey, bear and squirrel hunting. The property is also near to the Daniel Boone National Forest, which is known for its many hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is committed to providing more opportunities for hunters and anglers in Kentucky,” Strunk said. “The addition of Little Sextons Creek to our network of WMAs provides even more opportunity for those that love the outdoors.”​​​

​​​Due to stream restoration planning and construction, public access to the property may be limited at times. Notifications will be posted as alerts on the department’s website at​ fw.ky.gov and will be posted on signage at parking lots or access points to the property.

Updated WMA information and mapping are available on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website’s Public Lands Search page. Type “Little Sextons Creek” in the search box in the top right corner of the fw.ky.gov​ homepage.

Licenses and permits are sold online through Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s website on the License Sales portal and at vendor locations across the state. A list of license agents by county is available on the department’s website.​​​​