May 24, 2012
Everyone may fish without a license; scout hotspots online
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will offer 2012 Free Fishing Days on June 2-3, helping launch the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) National Fishing Week, June 2-10. On the weekend of June 2-3, anglers of all ages may fish without a fishing license. Ordinarily, nonresidents 16 or older and residents age 16 through 64 must have a fishing license to fish in Kansas, but on Free Fishing Days, everyone gets to fish for free, making this the ideal time to introduce curious would-be anglers of any age to an outdoor pastime that will provide pleasure throughout their lives.

In conjunction with National Fishing Week, RBFF has launched the “Nature’s Waterpark Showdown,” which uses the TakeMeFishing.org Facebook page to highlight parks around the country. In Kansas, El Dorado State Park has been nominated, one of 23 parks in the nation to receive the honor. The promotion will run for eight weeks and will culminate in a list of the top eight parks in the country based on fan votes. Once fans have voted, they can also register to win weekly prizes and one Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for four to one of the top-eight parks of their choice.

Kansas has hundreds of lakes and streams, including numerous conveniently-located community lakes. Finding the ideal fishing location is simple: go to the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, click "Fishing" at the top of the page, then “Where to Fish in Kansas” in the left-hand column.

Public fishing waters also are listed in the Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary, available on the KDWPT website or in printed form at KDWPT offices and license vendors around the state. The summary also provides a fish identification guide, length and creel limits, and a variety of additional information for anglers. The 2012 Kansas Fishing Atlas includes maps with locations of all state-managed and F.I.S.H. waters.

For information on fishing prospects, lake ratings for all sportfish may be found on the KDWPT’s online Fishing Forecast. In addition, the most recent biologists' fishing reports may be found on the Fishing Reports page.

Late May and early June are some of the best times to take advantage of Kansas angling opportunities. If you haven't already bought a license or are curious about fishing, take advantage of this opportunity on June 2-3.
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