Plan outlines history, standardized approach to management of species
PRATT -- The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has developed a plan to manage striped bass hybrids -- commonly known as “wipers” -- in Sunflower State waters.

An artificially-produced cross between a striped bass and a white bass, wipers were first produced at a temporary hatchery at Wilson Reservoir in 1977 and stocked at Marion and Sebelius reservoirs. Production of wiper fry was sporadic through the 1980s, but as culture techniques were developed and improved, the number of wipers produced and stocked in Kansas waters increased substantially in the 1990s. Since 2003, KDWP has stocked the hybrids in 13 federal reservoirs, seven state fishing lakes, and 38 community lakes.

The fish has become an important tool for fisheries biologists by providing an efficient predator to help manage abundant gizzard shad populations and to provide fishing opportunities for Kansas anglers. It is a popular sport fish because it grows fast and fights hard. The current state record, caught at Perry Reservoir in 2005, weighed more than 22 pounds.

KDWP has posted the plan on its website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. From there, enter “wiper management plan” in the search box. Interested persons are invited to review the plan and submit comments on the KDWP blog.

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