Aquatic Nuisance Species Laws and Regulations

A number of laws and regulations are designed to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

This page does not include a complete list of applicable statutes and regulations. Please consult the KDWPT Regulations page for more information.

To report potential violations of the law, call Operation Game Thief toll-free, 1-877-426-3843 or use the Operation Game Thief Report Form.

All Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Regulations and Statutes

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Designated Waters in Kansas

KANSAS STATUTES ANNOTATED (K.S.A.)

Kansas statutes are enacted into law by the Kansas Legislature.

 

General

K.S.A. 32-956: Wildlife Importation Permits

K.S.A. 32-1002: Taking or Dealing in Wildlife

K.S.A 32-1004: Unlawful Possession of Wildlife


KANSAS ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS (K.A.R.)

Regulations are approved by the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission and administered by the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

General

K.A.R. 115-7-3: Use it where you catch it. Wild-caught bait may be used only in the common drainage where taken as long as it is not transported above a dam or natural barrier, except that bluegill and green sunfish collected from non-designated aquatic nuisance waters may be possessed or used as live bait anywhere in the state. 

K.A.R. 115-7-10: Take no live fish from waters with an aquatic nuisance species designation. You cannot possess live fish upon departure from a body of water with an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) designation. If the water contains zebra mussels, Asian carp or white perch, all fish must be dead prior to leaving.

K.A.R. 115-8-6: More use it where you catch it. You can catch minnows, bait fish and other fishing bait for non-commercial purposes on department lands and waters, but it must be used where taken, except that bluegill and green sunfish collected from non-designated aquatic nuisance waters may be possessed or used as live bait anywhere in the state.

K.A.R. 115-8-12: Don't dump bait. You cannot stock or release wildlife on department lands or waters, navigable publicly-owned waters and federal reservoirs unless authorized. Dispose of unused bait on dry ground or in an approved bait receptacle.

K.A.R. 115-30-13: Drain water. You must drain livewells and bilges and remove drain plugs from all vessels before they are transported on any public highway.

K.A.R. 115-18-10: Protect Kansas from nuisance species. You cannot import, possess, or release the listed live wildlife species without a permit.

K.A.R. 115-20-3(c): Don't release exotic wildlife. You cannot release exotic wildlife onto the lands or into the waters of the state of Kansas.


CERTIFIED BAIT DEALER STATUTES AND REGULATIONS

K.S.A. 32-701(o): Defines Private Water Fishing Impoundments

K.S.A. 32-807(q): Powers of the Secretary

K.S.A. 32-941: Commercial Harvest Permits

K.S.A. 32-974: Private Water Fishing Impoundment Exemptions

K.A.R. 115-17-1: Commercial Harvesting of Fish Bait

K.A.R. 115-17-2: Commercial Sale of Fish Bait

K.A.R. 115-17-2a: Testing of Live Aquatic Bait for Pathogens

K.A.R. 115-17-3: Permits for the Harvest, Sale, or Purchase for Resale of Fish Bait

K.A.R. 115-17-4: Legal Equipment and Methods for Commercial Harvest of Fish Bait

K.A.R. 115-17-5: Locations Where Commercial Harvest of Fish Bait Is Allowed

K.A.R. 115-15-1: Threatened and Endangered Species

K.A.R. 115-15-2: Non-game Species