Kleber WMA

April 2009

by John Kirkland

Kleber WMA straddles the Franklin and Owen County lines.  A small two  acre pond is situated on the southwest side of the area, and can be  accessed from Stamping Ground by going north on 227, then west (left) on  1707, and drive about a mile and a half.  On the right, there is a sign  and a gravel parking lot.

On a warm April day, I decided to find and fish this little body of  water.  I had looked for it once before, and could not find it.  After  consulting the KDFWR site, I found a map online with the location, and  set out to check it out.

After parking in the small lot, there is a short walk up the dirt  path to the earthen dam.  A dirt path circles the whole pond, surrounded  by cedars and openings.  A couple of others were there-one set up for  catfishing and a group casting for bass.  It was still cool at that time  of year, and there was not much action. After throwing a couple of  lures, I switched to worm and hook, and quickly landed a small catfish.   That was all I caught that day.

I’ll have to try Kleber again in the warmer weather.  It is pleasant  and quiet, and though it is in the middle of nowhere, it is not terribly  far away from Lexington.  Access is by foot only, and the path would be  difficult to navigate if you have trouble getting around.  It may be  possible, with someone to help, to get a wheelchair onto the dam.

One note about Kleber—it is a Wildlife Management Area, and  is  frequented by hunters in various seasons.  I was there during spring  turkey season, and could hear hunters calling turkeys.  Also to note,  there is a public shooting range located on the other side of the WMA—to  reach it, take 227 past 1707, then turn left at the sign for  Kleber—signs will guide you to the range. One could fish and sight in a  rifle in one afternoon.