WEST MINERAL – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will reopen Unit No. 11 of the Mined Land Wildlife Area to fishing on Saturday, April 9 at 6 a.m. The unit has been closed to all access in recent months, and closed to fishing for several years, due to an on ongoing reclamation project that has recently been completed.

The $184, 233 reclamation project was funded through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Surface Mine Section in an effort to create safer interior roadways, a new improved parking area, native grass plantings for wildlife, improved angler access and improved fish habitat.

For the past three years, KDWPT staff have heavily stocked the strip-mined lake with channel catfish and have implemented a fish feeding program. Other fish that have benefited from the closure include largemouth bass, spotted bass, black and white crappie, red-eared sunfish, bluegill, and green sunfish.  The creel limit on bass and channel catfish is five per day, and channel catfish have a 15-inch minimum length limit and largemouth bass 13 inches to 18 inches long must be released.

Unit No. 11 is located a one-quarter mile west of the NW Coalfield Road and 7 Hwy intersection. The entrance to the area is located on the south side of the road. 

For more information, contact the Mined Land Wildlife Area main office at (620) 231-3173.

-30-

Back to 3-24-16 News