BLUE CATFISH
The blue catfish looks much like the channel cat, except the blue has a humped back, an anal fin with 30 or more rays, and grows bigger. Blues are native to several rivers in northeastern Kansas including the Kansas and Missouri. Blues are seldom caught on the concoctions used for channel cats, preferring cut or live bait. The largest blue cat on record weighed 109 pounds, 4 ounces. The Kansas record weighed 102.8 pounds.
Dates: 06/15/2024 - 08/31/2024
Handfishing, for flathead catfish only, is legal from sunrise to sunset June 15 through August 31 at these locations:
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.
A special permit ($27.50) is required in addition to a fishing license. Anyone handfishing may not use hooks, snorkeling or scuba gear, or any other manmade device OR possess any fishing gear except a stringer. Stringers may not be used until the fish are caught by hand and are at or above the surface of the water. No man-made object — such as a barrel, box, or bathtub — may be used to attract fish.
The blue catfish looks much like the channel cat, except the blue has a humped back, a longer anal fin, and grows bigger. Blues are native to several rivers in northeastern Kansas including the Kansas and Missouri. Blues are seldom caught on the concoctions used for channel cats, preferring cut or live bait. The largest blue cat on record weighed 143 pounds. The Kansas record weighed 102.8 pounds.
| Impoundment | Size | Stocking Date | Quantity | Species | Stocking Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacygne Reservoir | Intermediates | 2023-09-21 | 2605 | Blue Catfish | 2023 |
| Perry Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2023-09-21 | 10639 | Blue Catfish | 2023 |
| Pomona Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2023-09-21 | 4016 | Blue Catfish | 2023 |
| Lacygne Reservoir | Unknown | 2022-10-04 | 2637 | Blue Catfish | 2022 |
| Perry Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2022-10-04 | 16817 | Blue Catfish | 2022 |
| Pomona Reservoir | Unknown | 2022-10-04 | 4058 | Blue Catfish | 2022 |
| Perry Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2022-10-05 | 4548 | Blue Catfish | 2022 |
| Perry Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2022-10-05 | 25682 | Blue Catfish | 2022 |
| Cheney Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2021-09-20 | 19811 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Cheney Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2021-09-21 | 7995 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Kanopolis Reservoir | Intermediates | 2021-09-21 | 6110 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Kanopolis Reservoir | Intermediates | 2021-09-21 | 12285 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Pomona Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2021-09-21 | 4108 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Cheney Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2021-09-22 | 5980 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Kanopolis Reservoir | Intermediates | 2021-09-22 | 6448 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Kanopolis Reservoir | Intermediates | 2021-09-22 | 12714 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Cheney Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2021-09-23 | 4221 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Kanopolis Reservoir | Intermediates | 2021-09-23 | 2376 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Pomona Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2021-09-23 | 3933 | Blue Catfish | 2021 |
| Lacygne Reservoir | Intermediates | 2020-09-22 | 2449 | Blue Catfish | 2020 |
| Pomona Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2020-09-23 | 3934 | Blue Catfish | 2020 |
| Lacygne Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2019-09-19 | 2712 | Blue Catfish | 2019 |
| Pomona Reservoir | Fingerlings | 2019-09-19 | 4066 | Blue Catfish | 2019 |