FISHING INFORMATION NIGHTS COMING TO HAYS, SALINA AND WICHITA

Fishing techniques, reservoir forecasts, aquatic nuisance species to be covered at events on March 11, 12 and 13

PRATT -- You can catch more fish if you attend one of these events hosted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) March 11, 12 or 13. Called Fishing Information Nights, the events will feature experts on fishing and focus on fishing prospects, techniques, and locations. Several events will also feature presentations on how to lure the next generation of anglers. The events are free to the public.

The first event will take place on March 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Fort Hays State University Memorial Union's Black and Gold Room in Hays. Introductory speakers include Steve Price, KDWP Region 1 Fisheries supervisor, and Lynn Maska of the Department of Health & Human Performance at Ft. Hays State. District fisheries biologists Tommie Berger and Scott Waters will follow with updates on Wilson and Glen Elder reservoirs, respectively. Tom Lang, fisheries program specialist from Pratt, will then provide information on attracting youngsters to the sport of fishing. This will be followed by a detailed forecast for Cedar Bluff, Webster, Kirwin, and Sebelius reservoirs conducted by district fisheries biologists Lynn Davignon and Mark Shaw.

The second event will be held on March 12 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Little Theatre at the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Center, East Iron Avenue, in Salina. Introductory remarks by Price will be followed by fishing forecasts for Glen Elder, Lovewell, and Milford reservoirs from Waters and fisheries biologist John Reinke. Lang will repeat his presentation on angler recruitment, and Berger will wrap up the session with fishing forecasts for Kanopolis and Wilson reservoirs.

On March 13, a Fishing Information Night will be conducted from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Great Plains Nature Center Auditorium, 6232 E. 29th St. N, in Wichita. Regional Fisheries supervisor Tom Swan will provide information on fishing opportunities region-wide. Biologist Jon Stein will talk about Cheney and Marion reservoirs. Fisheries biologist Jessica Mounts will provide anglers with information about opportunities in Harvey, Sedgwick and Sumner counties and Craig Johnson, fisheries biologist for El Dorado and Council Grove will talk about those reservoirs. Fisheries biologists Leonard Jirak, from Hartford, and Carson Cox, from Emporia, will also be in attendance. With the recent discovery of zebra mussels at Cheney Reservoir, aquatic nuisance species and appropriate precautions will also be discussed.

Biologists will take questions from the audience at all events.

For more information on the events in Hays and Salina, phone 785-628-8614. To learn more about the event in Wichita, phone 316-683-8069.
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