Latest rules; how, where, and what to fish for; much more included
PRATT — Printed copies of the 2011 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary booklet will be available in early Jan., according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). Among other things, the publication lists new regulations that take effect Jan. 1, 2011. From new regulations expanding handfishing for flathead catfish to weigh-in regulations for black bass tournaments, the booklet has everything the angler needs to begin the New Year right.

The following information details Kansas fishing regulation changes for 2011:

Fishing where Kansas and Missouri share a common Missouri River boundary

• five fish daily creel limit on blue catfish, and flathead catfish;
• 15-inch minimum length limit and 10 fish daily creel limit on channel catfish;
• 15-inch minimum length limit on sauger and walleye;
• 15 fish daily creel limit on yellow bass, striped bass, white bass, and their hybrids, single species or in combination;
• two fish daily creel limit on paddlefish; and
• six fish daily creel limit on black bass (largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass; single species or in combination).

Black bass tournaments

Anglers holding a Tournament Black Bass Pass (TBBP) during a weigh-in tournament are allowed to cull fish once they have reached their five-fish daily creel limit. In addition, they may possess two short bass over 15 inches on waters with special length limits above the statewide 15-inch minimum length limit (to be released after weigh-in) from Sept. 1 through June 15. Only five fish may be kept.

District fisheries newsletters

Anglers can sign-up to receive seasonal email newsletters produced by district fisheries biologists. Go to www.kdwp.state.ks.us, click on the “Fishing” link at the top of the page, then click on the “Newsletter Request Forms” in the Fishing Quick Links box on the right-hand side of the page.

Handfishing

Handfishing, for flathead catfish only, is legal from sunrise to sunset June 15 through Aug. 31 on the entire length of the Arkansas River in Kansas, all federal reservoirs from beyond 150 yards of the dam to the upper end of the federal property, and on the Kansas River from its origin downstream to its confluence with the Missouri River.

Resident youth multi-year license

A multi-year resident youth hunting and/or fishing license is valid from time of purchase through the year the holder turns 21. The new youth licenses will be valid for youth age 16 through 20 years of age and offers considerable savings. The one-time purchase, multi-year youth fishing or hunting license is $40. Combination license is $70.

Trout fishing

Four new Type 2 locations have been added: Holton-Elkhorn Lake, Atchison City Lake #1, Syracuse-Sam’s Pond, and Belleville City Lake (Rocky Pond). The Cimarron Grasslands Pits will change from a Type 1 Water to a Type 2 Water. (From Oct. 15-April 15, Type 1 waters stocked with trout require a $12.50 trout permit for fishing. Type 2 waters require a trout permit only for anglers fishing for or possessing trout.)

The 2011 booklet also features state park and cabin information and detailed regulations for each body of water managed by KDWP.

In addition, a full-color fish identification guide lists all the state's sportfish, complete with text descriptions and detailed illustrations by renowned fish illustrator Joseph Tomelleri. Look-alike species are grouped together with complementary text to help the angler discern the difference between such closely-related species as white bass and wipers; blue catfish and channel catfish; the state's three black basses; black and white crappie; and pallid, shovelnose, and lake sturgeon.

The booklet also provides the latest information about aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in Kansas waters. Two pages are dedicated to this subject, complete with detailed illustrations and tips on how to prevent the spread of ANS plants, mollusks, and fish.

Anglers who want to contact a district fisheries biologist will find a listing of names and phone numbers of the nearest biologist, as well as regional supervisors. A listing of natural resource officer contacts is also included.

For more information, contact the nearest KDWP office, pick up a copy of the 2011 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary wherever licenses are sold in early Jan. Copies may also be downloaded from the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, in early Jan.. Click the “Fishing” icon at the top of the page, then “Fishing Regulations” in the left-hand column.
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