Conserving the most popular sportfish in Kansas is plan’s goal

Largemouth bass have a lot of fans in Kansas. In fact, recent surveys reveal that largemouth bass is the most-sought species among resident and lifetime fishing license holders.

To accommodate that angler preference and to help ensure a rich bass fishing future in the Sunflower State, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) fisheries staff have finalized the Largemouth Bass Management Plan. To incorporate public input on the plan, a draft version has been circulated in recent months among interested anglers and conservation organizations.

“The purpose of the plan is to assist department staff in applying state-of-the-art fisheries science to future management of the species,” said Doug Nygren, fisheries section chief for KDWP. "Another factor that led to development of the plan is the need to incorporate the experience and knowledge of KDWP fisheries staff who will be retiring in the next few years."

The plan explains how KDWP conducts bass population and assessment, how state hatcheries contribute to bass fishing opportunities, how harvest regulations help maintain high-quality fishing, discussion of challenges to the future of bass fishing in the state, and much more.

“We want to make sure that anglers have more background and more details on the many considerations we will take into account in future management decisions affecting the state’s largemouth bass fishery,” Nygren said.

To view or download the Largemouth Bass Management Plan, click here.

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