For Travis Woosley, a longtime goal of building something meaningful for his family has turned into a new business that’s already drawing visitors from across the region. Woosley recently opened Travis’s Trophy and Tackle, a pay lake and outdoor-focused business located along KY 144 West on the Hancock-Daviess County line.
The venture officially launched on April 24 and is part of a broader effort that includes several other businesses he operates.
“We’ve got three businesses going right now — and a fourth on the way,” Woosley said.
In addition to the pay lake, Woosley runs a farm and feed operation, sells metal buildings, and is in the process of becoming a licensed firearms dealer.
The inspiration behind the lake, however, is deeply personal — rooted in family, legacy, and a love of the outdoors.
“The pay lake has been on my to-do list for a few years,” he said. “My dad was a dozer operator, and I’ve always wanted a lake where my kids could go fishing and know their granddad helped build it — something they can look back on even after he’s gone.”
Woosley said he has long enjoyed visiting pay lakes and wanted to create a space where families could gather and spend time together outdoors.
“I’ve always enjoyed pay lakes and seeing kids come out,” he said. “On the weekends, you’ll see families set up with picnics and canopies, kids playing, and everyone just having a good time.”
The business offers several fishing options designed to be accessible and flexible. Visitors can purchase different fishing tags based on how long they plan to stay and how many fish they want to catch.
“We offer a few different ways to fish,” Woosley said. “You can choose from three tags — five hours/five fish for $15, eight hours/eight fish for $20, or 12 hours/12 fish for $25.”
The lake also features tagged fish that can earn customers prizes through the store, adding an extra layer of excitement for visitors.
In an effort to keep the experience affordable, Woosley said he created a family-friendly pricing model that allows children to fish without additional cost.
“We offer a family plan to keep it affordable,” he said. “Kids 12 and under can fish on an adult’s ticket — things are just too expensive now for families to enjoy their time otherwise.”
Since opening, Woosley said the response has exceeded expectations, with visitors traveling from well beyond the immediate area.
“It’s been unreal,” he said. “We’ve had people traveling from Louisville, southern Indiana, and all around the counties surrounding us.”
Looking ahead, Woosley hopes to expand the impact of the business by hosting community-focused events, particularly for young people.
As president of the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, he said he would like to organize events similar to “JAKES Days,” which introduce children to outdoor activities.
“I’d like to start hosting events where kids can come out,” he said. “With community support covering the costs, they can enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs, receive their own fishing pole, and fish for free.”
Travis’s Trophy and Tackle is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Woosley said he hopes the business continues to grow as a place where families can slow down and spend time together.
For him, the lake represents more than just a business — it’s a way to bring people together while honoring the past and creating lasting memories for the next generation.
“I’ve always wanted something like this,” Woosley said.
