Fishing Tournaments

If you plan to hold a competitive fishing tournament on department-managed lands or waters, you are required to obtain a special event permit. This includes tournaments launched from department facilities at state parks, state fishing lakes, or other department properties. You may also be required to pay a fee for the permit, depending on the size of the event and the services required. Please contact the area office, applicable to the event, at least 30 days prior to the tournament date(s) to determine what requirements apply.

Special event permit conditions are listed HERE:

Tournament Collage

Tournaments that launch from Corps of Engineers Parks or Community Lakes may require a permit or reservation. You should contact the appropriate officials prior to the event for more information about these permits or reservations.

Bass Tournament Information

The Department has been summarizing tournament catches of black bass since 1977. These data have been provided by event organizers or club officers primarily on a voluntary basis. Fisheries biologists use the data to understand relative abundances and length frequencies of bass in these impoundments. This information can be used in addition to their standard sampling data to help evaluate management activities.

The Department encourages tournament organizers to voluntarily provide their tournament results. Please download an online copy of the "Kansas Bass Tournament Log" to record your results and submit them to the tournament monitoring coordinator.

To submit your "Kansas Bass Tournament Log," you may do one of the following:

1. Mail it to Attn: Tournament Coordinator, Emporia Survey and Research Office, PO Box 1525, Emporia KS 66801

2. Fax it to (620) 342-6248 or

3. Leave a message on "Contact the tournament monitoring coordinator" to receive an email address to send your results as an email attachment.

Tournament Monitoring Reports

Printable Version Email Page

The tournament black bass pass may be purchased online, or any location where fishing and hunting licenses are sold.

Please note: Each individual wishing to utilize the Tournament Black Bass Pass must purchase this permit, regardless of age or exemption status.

Anglers participating in a weigh-in tournament who hold a tournament black bass pass (TBBP) are given two privileges:

  1. In a weigh-in tournament conducted September 1 - June 15, an angler may keep five fish, to be released after tournament weigh-in, that meet the statewide 15-inch minimum length limit but are under a special length limit for that fishing location.
  2. A black bass pass allows those participating in a weigh-in tournament to cull his or her catch after reaching the daily creel limit, by releasing a small fish and replacing it with a larger one, from January 1 through December 31.

Printable Version Email Page

Persuant to K.A.R. 115-7-9, all vessels used by participants in a weigh-in bass tournament must have a working livewell that contains an electrolyte solution, and the following procedures must be followed for weigh-in and release:

  • One individual work crew support for each 10 anglers
  • One weigh-in tank filled with an electrolyte-water chemical solution and fitted with recirculation and aeration accessories for every 25 anglers
  • If the water temperature at the tournament location is 75°F or cooler, water in the weigh-in tank shall be maintained at the same temperature
  • If the water temperature at the tournament location is warmer than 75°F, water in the weigh-in tank shall be 5 to 10° cooler but shall not exceed 85°F
  • Not more than 4 anglers shall be in the weigh-in line at any one time
  • Weigh-in bags containing livewell water shall be reinforced, reusable, and capable of holding up to 15 pounds of live fish and 2 gallons of water
  • The weigh-in site shall be located near the vessel mooring site and the release site, vehicle, or vessel and under a portable awning, event tent, or in the shade

Minimum requirements for releasing bass during a weigh-in tournament include:

  • Fish shall not be released directly into the water after being weighed
  • If release tubes, vehicles, or vessels are used, holding tanks shall contain a ½ percent noniodized salt solution
  • If release tubes, vehicles, or vessels are not used, fish must be dipped in a 3 percent noniodized salt solution the same temperature the lake water for 10-15 seconds before being released
  • The release site must have water at least 3 feet deep with good circulation and a hard bottom
  • The release site must be located away from vessel traffic and public-use vessel ramps
  • Each participant’s vessel used in the tournament should be cleaned before and after the tournament in compliance with department guidelines regarding the prevention of aquatic nuisance species (ANS).

Printable Version Email Page

Complete Tournament Schedule

06/28/2025

Kansas Walleye Association

Location: Wilson State Park Hell Creek Boat Ramp

Type: Fishing Tournament

Dates: 06/28/25 - 06/29/25

Contact: Shandi Webster

Phone No: 620-899-0222

Time: 5:00 am - 4:00 pm


View Wilson Calendar

07/12/2025

Hays Bass Anglers

Location: Wilson State Park Hell Creek Boat Ramp

Type: Fishing Tournament

Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025

Contact: Curtis Wachs

Phone No: 785-259-8326

Time: 6:00 am - 3:00 pm


Other Information:

Start at safe light

View Wilson Calendar

07/19/2025

I 70 Bass Anglers

Location: Wilson State Park Hell Creek Boat Ramp

Type: Fishing Tournament

Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025

Time: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm


View Wilson Calendar

07/26/2025

Knotheads 12th Annual Carp Bowfishing

Location: Wilson State Park Hell Creek Boat Ramp

Type: Fishing Tournament

Dates: 07/26/25 - 07/27/25

Time: 3:00 pm - 7:00 am


View Wilson Calendar

08/30/2025

All American Kayak Series

Location: Wilson State Park-Launch from any public access area

Type: Fishing Tournament

Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025

Contact: Joshua Boothe

Phone No: 417-499-1043

Time: 6:30 am - 3:30 pm


View Wilson Calendar

09/06/2025

KANSAS KAYAK ANGLERS

Location: PERRY STATE PARK

Type: TOURNAMENT

Date: Saturday, September 06, 2025

Contact: Tim Boyden

Phone No: 785-213-6150

Time: 6:00 am - 3:00 pm


Other Information:

FISHING TOURNAMENT- Kayak

Location: NORTH BOAT RAMP- (location changed from Lake View 2/11)

Vehicle Permits are REQUIRED for all vehicles to enter the State Park - no matter the length of stay.

View Perry Calendar

09/07/2025

Bassaholics Bass Club-Tenative

Location: PERRY STATE PARK

Type: Tournament

Date: Sunday, September 07, 2025

Contact: Marion Daniels

Phone No: 605-880-0119

This is an All Day Event


Other Information:

Tentative

Fishing Tournament-Bass

Location: LAKE VIEW BOAT RAMP

Vehicle Permits are REQUIRED for all vehicles to enter the State Park - no matter the length of stay.

View Perry Calendar

3D Archery Shoot and Free Park Entrance

Location: Lovewell State Park

Type: 3D Archery Tournament; Free park vehicle entrance.

Date: Sunday, September 07, 2025

Contact: Thane Loring

Phone No: (785) 753-4971

Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm


Other Information:

3D Archery Shoot begins at 9 am - Individuals compete on 14 station 3D archery range. Divisions for Men, Women, Youth. Steel Deer Target Contest at 12 noon. Prizes awarded at 1 pm. Free Park Entrance Day, no vehicle permits required.

View Lovewell Calendar

09/20/2025

Knotheads & Moose Custom Jr Youth Bowfishing

Location: Wilson State Park

Type: Fishing Tournament

Dates: 09/20/25 - 09/21/25

Time: 8:00 pm - 8:00 am


View Wilson Calendar

09/27/2025

American Bass Anglers

Location: Wilson State Park Hell Creek Boat Ramp

Type: Fishing Tournament

Dates: 09/27/25 - 09/28/25

Time: 4:00 am - 5:00 pm


View Wilson Calendar

09/28/2025

EAST KANSAS BASSMASTER- from 3/30

Location: PERRY STATE PARK

Type: TOURNAMENT

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025

Contact: Brian Keeney

Phone No: 913-424-8285

Time: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm


Other Information:

THIS TOURNAMENT was orginally scheduled 3/30

FISHING TOURNAMENT- Bass

Location: Lake View Boat Ramp

Vehicle Permits are REQUIRED for all vehicles to enter the State Park - no matter the length of stay.

View Perry Calendar

10/04/2025

KANSAS BASS NATION YOUTH FISHING

Location: PERRY STATE PARK

Type: TOURNAMENT

Dates: 10/04/25 - 10/06/25

Contact: Tate Herrman

Phone No: 785-466-6564

This is an All Day Event


Other Information:

Fishing Tournament- 2 Day Bass Youth 6am-4pm each day

Kansas Bass Nation Youth Fishing is part of B.A.S.S. 

Location: Lake View Boat Ramp

Vehicle permits required for all vehicles to enter the State Park - not matter the length of stay.

View Perry Calendar

Kansas Kayak Anglers

Location: Wilson Reservoir All ramps

Type: Fishing Tournament

Dates: 10/04/25 - 10/05/25

Time: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm


View Wilson Calendar

Oregon Trail Bass Club

Location: Wilson State Park Hell Creek Boat Ramp

Type: Fishing Tournament

Dates: 10/04/25 - 10/05/25

Time: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm


View Wilson Calendar

10/19/2025

KANSAS BUDDY BASS

Location: PERRY STATE PARK

Type: Tournament

Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025

Contact: Andrew Barnabei

Phone No: 605-880-011910

Time: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm


Other Information:

FISHING TOURNAMENT- Bass

Location: Lake View Boat Ramp

Vehicle Permits are REQUIRED for all vehicles to enter the State Park - no matter the length of stay.

https://www.ksbuddybass.com

View Perry Calendar
Contact the tournament monitoring coordinator

For a Freedom of Information Act or Kansas Open Records Act request, please go to the open records request information.

Please submit your tournament-related messages or questions below to the tournament monitoring coordinator. If you would like to submit your "Kansas Bass Tournament Log," leave a message indicating this and the tournament coordinator will respond with the e-mail address to send your attachment.

You may also call the Pratt Operations Office Division of Fish and Wildlife at (620)-672-5911 for tournament-related questions and information.

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