Where to fish, how to fish legally, what to fish for, and much more included

PRATT — Printed copies of the 2010 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary booklet will be available in early January, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. From new regulations allowing bowfishing for catfish to regulations on aquatic nuisance species, the booklet has everything the angler needs to begin the New Year right.

The following information details Kansas fishing regulation changes for 2010:
• angler/boater aquatic nuisance species certification course online — go to https://reserve.ksoutdoors.com/cert/Certifications/ANS-Certification. The city of Council Grove requires certification of anglers and boaters at Council Grove City Lake;
• bait fish — gizzard shad longer than 12 inches may be used for bait;
• bowfishing — blue, channel, and flathead catfish may be taken by bow and arrow in waters where no size limits on catfish are in effect;
• paddlefish — on the Neosho River at Burlington, Chetopa, and Iola, catch and release is allowed, except that once a fish is on the stringer, it must be kept as part of the creel limit. Anglers must cease snagging once the paddlefish creel limit is met. Only barbless hooks may be used at Chetopa. There is a 34-inch minimum length limit on Marais des Cygnes River. Paddlefish may be taken during open season on the Neosho River at Iola and on the Marais des Cygnes River within the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the state line;
• trotlines?and?setlines — trotlines and setlines may not be used on impoundments smaller than 1,201 acres, which includes all CFAP lakes;
• marking?fish — it is illegal to clip the fins, tag, or otherwise mark fish if they are to be released after catch;
• white?perch management plan for El Dorado Reservoir — to help control white perch in El Dorado Reservoir, there is an 18-inch minimum length limit on largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass; a 21-inch minimum length limit and two-per-day creel limit on walleye, and a 21-inch minimum length limit on wiper.

The 2010 booklet also features state park information and detailed regulations for each body of water managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP).

In addition, a full-color fish identification guide lists all the state's sportfish, complete with text descriptions and detailed illustrations by renowned fish illustrator Joseph Tomelleri. Look-alike species are grouped together with complementary text to help the angler discern the difference between such closely-related species as white bass and wipers; blue catfish and channel catfish; the state's three black basses; black and white crappie; and pallid, shovelnose, and lake sturgeon.

The booklet also provides the latest information about aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in Kansas waters. Two pages are dedicated to this subject, complete with detailed illustrations and tips on how to prevent the spread of ANS plants, mollusks, and fish.

Anglers who want to contact a district fisheries biologist will find a listing of names and phone numbers of the nearest biologist, as well as regional supervisors. A listing of natural resource officer contacts is also included.

For more information, contact the nearest KDWP office, pick up a copy of the 2010 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary wherever licenses are sold in early January. An electronic version may also be downloaded from the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, in early January. Type "fishing regulations summary" in the search box on the home page.
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