Permit good for six paddlefish; reduced fee for youth 15 and younger

The Kansas paddlefish season begins March 15 and runs through May 15. Once rivers rise, paddlefish enter the state in search of spawning areas, when water temperatures approach 60 degrees. This usually occurs shortly before or after the March 15 opener, when paddlefish may be taken on the Neosho River below the Chetopa and Burlington city dams, on the Marais des Cygnes River below Osawatomie Dam, and on the Browning Oxbow Lake of the Missouri River. Other areas may be posted by KDWP.

Anyone snagging must have a paddlefish permit — good for six paddlefish. Only one permit is allowed per angler for the season. The $12.15 permit includes six paddlefish tags that must be attached to each fish immediately upon catch. A youth paddlefish permit fee is $5 for anglers 15 years and younger. All paddlefish snagged must be kept, except on the Kansas-Missouri boundary waters, where there is a 24-inch length limit. Snaggers must sign each carcass tag; record the county, date, and time of harvest; and attach the tag to the lower jaw of the paddlefish.

In addition to the paddlefish permit, a valid fishing license is required (unless exempt by law). The daily creel limit is two, and the possession limit is six. Anglers must stop snagging once the daily limit is reached. Other sportfish snagged must be immediately released. Legal equipment includes pole and line with not more than two single or treble hooks.

Nonsport fish (carp, drum, grass carp, threadfin and gizzard shad, goldfish, gar, suckers including carpsucker and buffalo, goldeye, and bowfin) may also be snagged in waters posted open to snagging during the paddlefish season. There are no limits on nonsport fish.

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