Current Blue-Green Algae
Warnings and Advisories
Frozen lakes require extreme caution
December 12, 2013
Cold-spell has likely caused many lakes and reservoirs to freeze up
PRATT – After a week of nighttime temperatures in the single-digits and daytime highs in the teens and twenties, most Kansas water bodies are covered with a sheet of ice. While beautiful and perhaps alluring to anglers and explorers, a frozen lake can be deadly and deserves respect and caution. Read Story
New Oklahoma state record rainbow trout breaks 47-year-old record
Mark Reed of Blanchard with his new Oklahoma state record rainbow trout that he caught from Lake Watonga in November. The fish weighed 10-lb., 10.56-oz., breaking the nearly half-century-old state record of 10 lbs., 4 oz.
Dec. 11, 2013 - A new state record rainbow trout was caught recently from Lake Watonga at Roman Nose State Park, reminding Oklahomans that this non-native, cold-water fish is in season and providing plenty of angling action across the state. Read Story
Trout season kicks off November 1
More than 200,000 trout will be stocked in select waters throughout the state this season
Oct. 24, 2013 - PRATT – Outside temperatures may be cooling down, but for trout anglers, fishing season is about to heat up. From Nov. 1, 2013-April 15, 2014, anglers can enjoy some of the best fishing opportunities in the state as nearly 30 public fishing areas will be stocked periodically with this special species. Throughout a five-month period beginning Nov. 1 and ending March 31, over 202,000 trout will be stocked in select waters. Read Story
Lavigne leads after day one of B.A.S.S. Nation championship
Kansan Beau Branine in 35th
Oct. 24, 2013 - RUSSELLVILLE. Ark. — When you are around Ryan Lavigne, the Day 1 leader of the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, you know he is all about family. Read Story
Milford fish hatchery supply lake new winter hours in place now
Hatchery supply lake, known as the Gathering Pond, open to fishing only on weekends under winter hours
October 18, 2013 - JUNCTION CITY – The Milford Fish Hatchery Supply Lake, known locally as the Gathering Pond, located below the dam of Milford Reservoir will be open to fishing under reduced winter hours beginning immediately. The new winter hours will open the lake from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends only and will be in place through March 16, 2014. Read Story
Eighty-six anglers fish Big Bass Challenge
Lake Wilson, Kan., (Sept. 14, 2013) — As the morning sky turned a brilliant shade of orange, 44 boats and 86 anglers began their pursuit to catch big bass during the 13th Annual Big Bass Challenge on Lake Wilson. The event is one of the more popular bass fishing tournaments in Kansas and is sponsored by the Hays Bass Anglers Association. Read Story
Mark Davis Dominates In Bassmaster Elite Series Event In Michigan; Aaron Martens Wins Toyota Bassmaster Angler Of The Year Title
Aug. 24, 2013 - DETROIT, Mich. — Mark Davis came to Michigan for the Aug. 22-25 Bassmaster Elite Series Plano Championship Chase ready to risk all to bag his 17th Bassmaster Classic qualification.
Saturday, leading the Chase for the second consecutive day, the 1995 Classic champ from Mount Ida, Ark., put himself in position to do just that. His risk was a round-trip daily run of 180 miles that left him soaking wet, hat to shoes, and shaken like a James Bond martini. Read Story
Arkansas pro Mark Davis jumps into Bassmaster Elite Series lead at Michigan Event
Kansan Brent Chapman makes cut, will fish in day three
Aug. 23, 2013 - DETROIT, Mich. — Mullygrubs?
Yup. Mark Davis said he had them on Thursday, the first day of the Bassmaster Elite Series Plano Championship Chase out of Detroit, Mich. He said he caught the mullygrubs after
not boating two big smallmouth bass he hooked. He settled for second place.
Read Story
Driven By Classic Desire, Alabama’s Chris Lane Takes First-Day Lead In Bassmaster Elite Series Season Finale
Kansans Chapman and Scanlon in 42nd and 83rd respectively
Aug. 22, 2013 - DETROIT, Mich. — Make no mistake, Chris Lane is driven.
The 2012 Bassmaster Classic champ wants to qualify for the 2014 Classic because it’s on his adopted home water, Alabama’s Lake Guntersville. Winning the Aug. 22-25 Plano Championship Chase and the Classic berth that comes with the event title is his best chance to get on the list for Guntersville.
Read Story
Idaho’s Brandon Palaniuk Scores Bassmaster Elite Series Victory In New York
Aug. 11, 2013 - WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Brandon Palaniuk wanted — needed, in his mind — to find a way into the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, the world championship of bass fishing.
“I don’t care about the money, just give me the Classic berth,” Palaniuk said after he led on the first day of the Aug. 8-11 Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River out of Waddington, N.Y. Read Story
Idaho’s Palaniuk Makes A Run — Again — At A Bassmaster Elite Series Win
Aug. 8, 2013 - WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Brandon Palaniuk busted one of the largest first-day bags of the Bassmaster Elite Series season on Thursday. That was the second item of big news coming out of this Upstate New York town on the banks of the St. Lawrence River.
Thursday’s first newsmaker was from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He made a rare visit to Waddington in the morning, touting the St. Lawrence fishery and other attractions of the region. Read Story
KDHE updates blue-green algae alerts
Milford and Marion reservoirs no longer listed
July 26, 2013 - TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has lifted its Public Health Advisories for Milford Reservoir and Marion Reservoir. A Public Health Warning was issued for Lake Warnock in Atchison County and warnings remain in place for six other lakes. Read Story
Registration open for new angler instructor program
Anglers interested in becoming certified to teach fishing techniques in Kansas can still sign up for Aug. 10 class
July 25, 2013 - PRATT– A joint effort of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and Fishing’s Future, the Kansas Angler Education Program will enlist qualified volunteer instructors to teach fishing techniques throughout the
state. And with just a little more than two weeks left, the registration period will close soon. Read Story
Lake Shawnee angler catches alien fish
KDWPT advises anglers who catch exotic fish to not return them to water
July 25, 2013 - TOPEKA– An unidentified angler landed quite a surprise at Lake Shawnee in Topeka Sunday, July 21, when he hauled in a silver arowana, a primitive freshwater fish native to the Amazon River Basin in South America. Often kept as aquarium pets, arowanas do not belong in Kansas waters. The fish was about 20 inches long and was likely released into Lake Shawnee or upstream by someone who could no longer care for it. Sold as youngsters, arowanas can grow to 2 feet long or more in captivity and can quickly outgrow their aquariums. They grow to nearly 4 feet long in the wild. Arowanas are aggressive and carnivorous, and they may eat other aquarium fish. Read Story
Kansas State Park cabins offer great indoor and outdoor fun
July 18, 2013 - PRATT– Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, a family reunion, or a week-long fishing trip with friends, Kansas state park cabins are great choices. With 100 cabins offered at 19 state parks, four state fishing lakes, and one wildlife area, there is sure to be a cabin that meets your needs. Read Story
Floatline fishing season going on now
July 18, 2013 - PRATT– A rather new form of fishing in Kansas, floatline fishing was introduced throughout the state in select bodies of water just four short years ago. Since then, it has annually attracted a small but steady community of about 500 channel cat anglers who participate in the two-month-long season. Read Story
Riding The Smallmouth Special: Oklahoma’s Tommy Biffle Comes From Behind For Win In Bassmaster Elite Series Event On The Mississippi
June 23, 2013 - LA CROSSE, Wis. — Tommy Biffle was watching the clock. With 45 minutes left in the final round, Biffle knew it was time to give up on the special smallmouth spot he’d been milking during the entire four-day Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole.
Thirty years of pro bass fishing tells you to when to make a move. Read Story
Play It Again, Aaron: Alabama’s Aaron Martens Manages Slim Lead In Bassmaster Elite Series Mississippi River Rumble
Kansans Casey Scanlon and Brent Chapman end in the money
June 22, 2013 -LA CROSSE, Wis. — Seven ounces.
After three days of competition, Aaron Martens was just 7 ounces from victory in last year’s Bassmaster Elite Series event on the Mississippi River.
Now Martens gets to play out a similar scenario on the same river, and he’s going for big bass in the same spot that put him in contention in 2012. And, oddly enough, once again 7 ounces plays into his game. Read Story
Leader’s Weight In Bassmaster Elite Series Event Disqualified
June 21, 2013 - LA CROSSE, Wis. — The Day 2 weight of Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, has been disqualified in the Bassmaster Elite Series event on the Mississippi River out of La Crosse, Wis.
Palaniuk had been the leader for the first two days of the event.
Friday evening after the day’s results had been published, an official, written protest presented to B.A.S.S. officials stated that Palaniuk may have been culling in Minnesota waters. Minnesota law prohibits culling from a limit of bass in state waters, or any culling in Wisconsin-Minnesota border waters. Read Story
Idaho’s Brandon Palaniuk Busts A Big Bag Again At Bassmaster Elite Series Event
June 21, 2013 - LA CROSSE, Wis. — Mighty bad weather Friday morning on the Mississippi River out of La Crosse didn’t put the hurt on Brandon Palaniuk.
In fact, the morning storm helped the pro from Rathdrum, Idaho.
Only three hours into Friday’s competition, Palaniuk had 19-plus pounds of bass to bring to the scales at the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole, the sixth event of the Bassmaster Elite Series 2013 season. Combined with his first-day bag of 18-4, Friday’s bag — five smallmouth that went 19-3 — was more than enough for the 25-year-old pro to hold on tight to the top spot for the second consecutive day. Read Story
Kansan Casey Scanlon in tie for sixth place
A Run At The Rumble: Idaho’s Brandon Palaniuk Leads Bassmaster Elite Series Event On The Mississippi River
June 20, 2013 - LA CROSSE, Wis. — For some reason, said Brandon Palaniuk, he felt the bass were going to bite for him Thursday, the kickoff of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole. Read Story
Kansan Jeff Jerome of McPherson finishes in the money
Alabama’s Howell Jumps Into Lead At Windy Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open
June 14, 2013 - RICHMOND, Va. – Randy Howell had every opportunity to spin out on the second day of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open on Virginia’s James River, but he maintained his composure and weighed in a 16-pound, 12-ounce bag of largemouth to vault from second place into first with a total of 32-07. Read Story
Texan Collins Keeps On Course To Victory In B.A.S.S. Nation Divisional
Kansas team moves up to fourth, Branine wins top spot for state and third in tournament
June 7, 2013 - ZAVALLA, Texas — The frog bite was on at Sam Rayburn Reservoir but Texan Albert Collins avoided that temptation and won the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional. Read Story
Kansas flathead catfish handfishing season runs June 15-August 31
Special fishing season offers anglers a more “hands on” way of catching flatheads
June 6, 2013 - PRATT – The increased popularity of television shows like “Hillbilly Handfishin’,” “Catfishin’ Kings,” and “Mudcats,” proves that handfishing for large catfish can be an exciting and fast-paced sport. Luckily, Kansas is one of a handful of states that offer this special season. With a special permit, anglers can handfish for flathead catfish in select waters from sunrise to sunset June 15-Aug. 31. Read Story
Collins Bolts Into Lead At B.A.S.S. Nation Divisional On Sam Rayburn
Matt Waller of Augusta highest ranking Kansan, Kansas team in fifth
June 6, 2013 - Zavalla, Texas — While dodging lightning and being soaked by torrential downpours, Albert Collins of Nacogdoches, Texas, amassed a heavier bag than Wednesday’s limit to take over the lead in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional at Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
Collins weighed in a 16-pound, 12-ounce limit on Day 1 to move into second place and followed up on Day 2 with a 19-4 limit to move to the top of the leaderboard with 36 pounds. However the 48-year-old plumber is unsure if he can repeat tomorrow. Read Story
Pedigo Brings Good Tidings At B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional
Matt Waller of Augusta highest ranking Kansan, Kansas team in fifth
June 5, 2013 - Zavalla, Texas — After all the reports of devastation from recent tornados, Oklahoma finally has some good news.
Brandon Pedigo gave his home state something to cheer about by catching a five-fish limit weighing 17 pounds, 13 ounces to take over the lead in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The 28-year-old angler from Durant, Okla., was one of the fortunate ones not affected by the tornadoes. Read Story
Milwaukee School of Engineering team wins Carhartt Bassmaster College Tournament in Iowa
May 30, 2013 - FORT MADISON, Iowa — Marshall Sandretto and Eric Logisz of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) climbed from fourth place to claim the top prize in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Midwestern Regional Championship Thursday on Iowa’s Lake Sugema. Read Story
Kansas State University team takes lead in Carhartt Bassmaster college tournament
May 29, 2013 - FORT MADISON, Iowa — College anglers from throughout the Midwest battled it out today on Lake Sugema in Iowa, but the contest was as much man against bass as it was team versus team in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Midwest Regional. More than 50 teams found themselves struggling to boat “overs” — fish that exceed the 12- to 18-inch slot limit. Read Story
New fish-finding tool provided To B.A.S.S. Nation and collegiate anglers
May 24, 2013 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and BassGold announced today that BassGold will provide its bass patterning app free for one year to members of the B.A.S.S. Nation, including Carhartt Bassmaster College Series anglers. Read Story
Kilgore wins finale at Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on Logan Martin
May 18, 2013 - PELL City, Ala., — Thunder, lightning and a deluge of rain last night muddied Logan Martin Lake’s already stained water. The water level rose at least two feet and turned the tributaries feeding the lake into coffee-colored torrents. Read Story
Kilgore Leapfrogs Lane For Logan Martin Lead
May 17, 2013 - PELL CITY, Ala. - Chris Lane, the 2012 Bassmaster Classic Champion, faltered on Day 2 of the Southern Open at Logan Martin Lake. His 10-pound, 3-ounce limit dropped him from first to fifth place with 28 pounds, 13 ounces. The heavy largemouth bass that vaulted Lane into the lead Thursday were a no-show today. If they return on Saturday, he will make a strong run for the title. Read Story
Alabama’s Lane is head of the pack
at Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open
May 16, 2013 - PELL CITY, Ala. — T-shirt weather welcomed a field of 157 pros and co-anglers to Logan Martin Lake on the first day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open. The bass were also part of the welcoming committee. Limits were the norm for the majority of the anglers. Read Story
Free Fishing Days first weekend in June
Residents and visitors can enjoy two days of free fishing in Kansas June 1-2
May 16, 2013 - PRATT – The old adage “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” may be true 363 days out of the year, but the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is bucking that notion for two days by offering free fishing throughout the state June 1-2 . Read Story
Kansas anglers have several new regulations to be aware of in 2013
Senior Fishing Licenses
Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, resident anglers age 65-74 are no longer exempt from fishing license requirements. Residents age 75 and older are still exempt. Read Story
Glen Elder to host annual youth fishing tournament
Youngsters can hone angling skills and win prizes during Glen Elder youth fishing tournament
May 16, 2013 - PRATT – It’s an unspoken rule among anglers that when lures hit the water, friendly competition should ensue. In an effort to bring some good ol’ fashioned summer fun to young anglers, Glen Elder State Park staff is hosting their 9th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament at Glen Elder Reservoir, also known as Waconda Lake. Read Story
Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers overtakes Kansan Brent Chapman
in Bassmaster Elite Series Event in Alabama
May 12, 2013 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. — “Man, you’ve got me,” Brent Chapman said to Edwin Evers.
Evers was already in Sunday’s final-round hot seat of the Alabama River Charge presented by Star brite. Chapman, the leader for the two previous days, was the last of the 12 finalists to weigh in. He climbed the stage steps already knowing it was over for him. Read Story
Kansan Brent Chapman holds on to Bassmaster Elite Series lead in Alabama
May 11, 2013 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Brent Chapman is on a tear.
Saturday, the reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, led the four-day Alabama River Charge presented by Star brite for the second consecutive day. Read Story
Kansan Brent Chapman rides the rapids
for Bassmaster Elite Series Lead
May 10, 2013 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alton Jones and Brent Chapman stood side-by-side. They were the first two Bassmaster Elite Series pros in line to weigh in Friday, the second day of the Alabama River Charge presented by Star brite. Read Story
Kansans in sixth and 16th -
Spot-On: Arizona’s Murray whacks 18-plus pounds Of Spotted Bass for Bassmaster Elite Series lead on the Alabama River
May 9, 2013 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Bassmaster Elite Series pros could have given themselves sore throats Thursday if they’d hollered every time they hooked into an Alabama River spotted bass. Read Story
California’s Skeet Reese jumps from seventh place
for Bassmaster Elite Series win on West Point Lake
May 5, 2013 - LAGRANGE, Ga. — Skeet Reese is on fire — again.
The Auburn, Calif., superstar of bass fishing was victorious Sunday in the Bassmaster Elite Series’ West Point Lake Battle after starting the final round in seventh place, almost 2 1/2 pounds behind leader Tommy Biffle. Read Story
Oklahoma’s Tommy Biffle hits high note
at Bassmaster Elite Series’ West Point Lake Battle
May 4, 2013 - LAGRANGE, Ga. — Saturday was a rainy day in Georgia, but Tommy Biffle was not singing the blues about the West Point Lake Battle. Read Story
He managed to fill a five-fish limit after falling one bass short on both Day 1 and Day 2 of the Battle.
Mystified Aaron Martens Of Alabama
Manages 1-Ounce Lead In West Point Lake Battle
Kansan Casey Scanlon misses cutoff by less than a pound
May 3, 2013 - LAGRANGE, Ga. — With 24 pounds, 14 ounces of largemouth bass weighed over two days and a Bassmaster Elite Series lead in hand, Aaron Martens had good reason to feel he had a handle on West Point Lake bass. Read Story
Texan Keith Combs Goes From Zero To Hero
at Bassmaster Elite Series Event on West Point Lake
May 2, 2013 - LAGRANGE, Ga. — Zero.
By 1:30 p.m. Thursday, that’s how many bass Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, believed he’d end up weighing in on the first day of the West Point Lake Battle, the fourth event of the Bassmaster Elite Series season. In six hours of casting, he had not had one bite. Read Story
O.K. Kids Day to be held at Great Plaines Nature Center
Youngsters can learn about the invisible power of wind during “Winds Across Kansas” workshop
May 2, 2013 - PRATT – Invisible, yet extremely powerful, wind is steadily becoming an important source of energy for many Kansas businesses. At the same rate, wind is also an integral part of existence for many wildlife, which is why the Kansas Wildscape Foundation, along with the Great Plains Nature Center (GPNC) of Wichita, is hosting an O.K. Kids Day, “Winds Across Kansas. Read Story
Kansas Fishing Atlas for 2013 now available
Kansas Fishing Atlas is one-stop shopping for anglers in search of the perfect fishing hole
May 2, 2013 - PRATT – Packed with over 60 pages of detailed, easy-to-read maps, the 2013 Kansas Fishing Atlas is a must-have for any angler. Read Story
Bassmaster Magazine names top lakes for 2013
Kansas' Sebelius falls from list while Perry and Wilson slip in ratings
Apr 24, 2013
Lists that rank the subjective can incite passionate response. Last year, I learned this the hard way when Bassmaster Magazine released its inaugural ranking of bass fisheries from across the nation. One reader thanked the Magazine for producing his lifetime bucket list, while another said it was the biggest waste of space he had ever seen. Read Story
Become a Bassmaster Elite Series Marshal and be an audience of one
April 30, 2013 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bass fishing enthusiasts have a golden opportunity to learn power fishing in Kevin VanDam’s boat, study drop shotting while standing just a few feet away from Aaron Martens or get the scoop on frogging from Dean Rojas’ back deck. It’s possible, and it’s not something bass fans have to spend a fortune on or the rest of their days trying to create those relationships. Read Story
Elite Series pro Stephen Browning rallies to win
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Red River
April 27, 2013 - SHREVEPORT, La. — Catching last-minute fish has become a habit for Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Stephen Browning in tournaments lately, and today it paid off in a victory on the Red River. Read Story
Texan Johnson likes falling Red River at Bassmaster Central Open
April 25, 2013 - SHREVEPORT, La. — The Red River’s dropping water level created problems for several of the anglers in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open today, but Jimmy Johnson of Ganado, Texas, found the conditions to his liking. Read Story
Governor Brownback signs bill that will reduce boat taxes
Kansas boaters to save on watercraft taxes
beginning in 2014
In last November’s election, a majority of Kansas voters supported amending the state constitution to allow legislators to change the way watercraft are taxed. Legislators acted on the issue this spring, and the result was the passage of SB83 which Governor Brownback signed on April 16. The new law will tax boats at 11.5 percent of assessed value in 2014 and 5 percent in 2015 and thereafter.
Read Story
Kansan Casey Scanlon finishes third
Scared Straight: Oklahoma’s Jason Christie Cracks The Ramada Quest For His First Bassmaster Elite Series Victory
April 22, 2013 - BULL SHOALS, Ark. — Two days ago on the Ramada Quest stage, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jason Christie bemoaned the crystal water and dead-calm conditions of Bull Shoals Lake. Read Story
Kansan Casey Scanlon lands Bull Shoals lead by ounces;
Leader Vinson falls out
April 21, 2013 - BULL SHOALS, Ark. — Sunday was a different day for Casey Scanlon in more ways than one.
Scanlon of Lenexa, Kan., took over at the Ramada Quest on Sunday, the third of four competition days of the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Bull Shoals Lake. Read Story
Poulter and Athon win Special Olympics Kansas Crappie Tournament
April 20, 2013 - Lawrence, KS - Dennis Poulter and Craig Athon outfished 42 other teams in a tough day of fishing in the Special Olympics Kansas Crappie Tournament held Saturday, April 20 at Clinton Lake. Several of the teams brought in only one or two crappie. Read Story
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Greg Vinson works himself into Bassmaster Elite Series lead again
Kansan Casey Scalon three ounces behind in second
April 20, 2013 - BULL SHOALS, Ark. — After a biting-cold Saturday morning running his boat on Bull Shoals Lake, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Vinson could well have been running a line in his head from an old children’s verse: “Saturday’s child works hard for a living.” Read Story
Great Plains Nature Center site of family fishing nights
Summer fun for the whole family at free fishing events through Great Plains Nature Center
April 18, 2013 - PRATT – The Great Plains Nature Center (GPNC) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will host the first of five Family Fishing Nights for the 2013 season at Chisholm Island Pond April 25 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Each event is open to participants of all ages and abilities. The GPNC is located at 6232 E 29th St. N, Wichita. Read Story
Fort Riley to host free youth fishing event April 20
Families are invited to attend an annual fishing day at Fort Riley free of charge
April 11, 2013 - PRATT – Kids of all ages are welcome to attend Fort Riley’s third annual Kid’s Fishing Day April 20 at Moon Lake from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Read Story
Doug Hannon "The Bass Professor" dies at 66
Complications from recent neck surgery believed a factor claiming life of famed fishing tackle inventor, angling authority, author and longtime TV host
TAMPA, Fla., -- 4/1/2013 -- Doug Hannon, a legend in the fishing world known as the “Bass Professor” whose unique expertise in a wide range of design skills and academic subjects in and outside of angling, died Thursday at his home in Keystone, a north Tampa suburb. Read Story
Keith Combs Busts 100-Plus Pounds To Close On Bassmaster Elite Series Win In Home State Of Texas
March 25, 2013 - ZAPATA, Texas — Third-year Elite Series pro Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, locked out 11 other finalists Monday in the Rigid Industries Falcon Slam, including his biggest threat after three rounds, four-time Bassmaster Classic champ and Zen master of bass fishing, Rick Clunn. Read Story
Video takes viewers along on walleye egg-taking journey
March 21, 2013 - PRATT – “Walleye For Tomorrow,” a 15-minute video produced by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), shows each step in the process of producing walleye for Kansas lakes. Read Story
Todd Faircloth takes second home-state Elite win
March 17, 2013 - ORANGE, Texas — “Everything’s bigger and better in Texas.”
That’s what Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, said Sunday as he won the Sabine River Challenge presented by STARK Cultural Venues out of Orange, Texas, trumping Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., by 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Read Story
Kansas anglers, walleye benefit from artificial spawing
Artificial spawning practices produce abundant fish populations
Mar. 14, 2013 - PRATT – Spring marks the beginning of spawning season for several fish species, but it also marks the start of artificial spawning for walleye. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) biologists and culturists will work tirelessly this season artificially producing walleye to stock state reservoirs and lakes. Read Story
Kansas trout stocking program provides variety for anglers
Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of special trout program
Mar. 14, 2013 - PRATT – In an effort to provide unique winter fishing opportunities, The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) provides trout fishing opportunities by stocking Kansas waters with thousands of harvestable-sized trout each year. From Nov. 1-April 15, anglers can catch this non-native species at 36 locations throughout the state. Read Story
Bassmaster Elite Series season starts this week in Orange, Texas
March 11, 2013 - ORANGE, Texas — When asked if he had ever competed on the Sabine River, site of the March 14-17 Bassmaster Elite Series season opener, Elite Series pro Dennis Tietje chuckled.
“Only for about 30 years,” he replied. Read Story
Crappie anglers will have chance to compete for prizes
and help Special Olympics Kansas
March 11, 2013 - Mission, Kan. – Crappie anglers fishing in two person teams will have a chance at winning prizes and helping Special Olympics Kansas at the same time on April 20. Read Story
Kansas state parks to host Saturday open houses March 9
Mar. 7, 2013 - TOPEKA – On Saturday, Mar. 9, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will host a free entrance day and open houses at all state parks. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of events at most parks. Read Story
Paddlefish spawning season offers big angling opportunities
Warmer temperatures give way to a special snagging season
Mar. 7, 2013 - PRATT – A much-anticipated season for Kansas anglers draws near as paddlefish begin their annual spring spawning run. From Mar. 15-May 15, paddlefish permit-holders can snag up to six of these gentle giants from designated areas on the Neosho and Marais des Cygnes Rivers. Read Story
Mississippi's Pace triumphs at Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake
Feb. 24, 2013 - TULSA, Okla. — Cliff Pace of Petal, Miss., now owns what only 33 others can claim: a Bassmaster Classic title.
On Sunday, Pace won the 43rd world championship of bass fishing, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. His prize for a three-day catch of 54 pounds, 12 ounces, was $500,000 and the most coveted trophy of the sport. Read Story
Pace outdistances the field on Bassmaster Classic's second day
Two more ounces would have put Brent Chapman in final: finishes 26th, one ounce behind 25th
February 23, 2013 - TULSA, Okla. — A consistent Cliff Pace of Petal, Miss., not only kept his first-day lead in the Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, he pulled away from the pack by 7 pounds in the second day of competition for $500,000 and the biggest trophy of pro bass fishing. Read Story
New contest to showcase budding outdoor photographers
Feb. 22, 2013
“Wild About Kansas,” a new junior photo contest, begins this week. Read Story
Pace, Iaconelli Warm Up To Cold, Cold Grand Lake At Bassmaster Classic
Kansans Chapman and Scanlon in 34th and 37th
Feb. 22, 2013 - TULSA, Okla. — Mississippi’s Cliff Pace and New Jersey’s Michael Iaconelli shared the spotlight Friday with a tie at 21 pounds, 8 ounces for the lead in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Read Story
Gene Larew Lures opens its Tulsa doors to visitors during Bassmaster Classic week
TULSA, Okla. (Feb. 15, 2013) - Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Gene Larew Lures is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its famous Salt Craw soft plastic fishing lure with an open house and several other special activities timed to coincide with the 2013 Bassmaster Classic's presence in the city, Feb. 22-24. Read Story
Mike McClelland Has Secret Weapons For The Bassmaster Classic
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mike McClelland says he is “flying under the radar” going into his ninth Bassmaster Classic. He could not be happier about that.
It’s not that McClelland has escaped the notice of the nerds of professional bass fishing. These pundits and prognosticators have picked him as an odds-on favorite to win the Feb. 22-24 world championship on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Read Story
Oklahoma anglers hope for success at 2013 Bassmaster Classic
Jan. 16, 2013 - Tommy Biffle had to almost shout to be heard over the wind.
“Practicing … Bassmaster Classic. Wind … hear.” The reporter who had reached him on his cell phone caught only a few words. Read Story
Crappie limit reduced to 20 per day at Glen Elder Reservoir
January 10, 2013 - CAWKER CITY – Officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) want anglers who fish Glen Elder Reservoir, also known as Waconda Lake, to be aware that the daily creel limit on crappie is now 20. Before Jan. 1, 2013, the daily creel limit on Glen Elder crappie was 50, which is the statewide creel limit, unless special regulations such as this are implemented. Read Story
KDHE issues fish consumption advisories
Advisories provide guidelines for eathing fish taken from certain locations
January 10, 2013 - TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) are issuing revised fish consumption advisories for 2013. The advisories identify types of fish or other aquatic animals that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination. Read Story
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
personnel improve fish habitat in state lakes
January 3, 2013 - The cold days of winter may lead to some hot fishing for crappie at many Oklahoma lakes this year, thanks to habitat improvement efforts by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Fisheries Division.
Cliff Sager, chairman of the Department's Fish Habitat Committee and south central region fisheries biologist, said the Department manages fish attractor sites in more than 100 lakes throughout Oklahoma. Read Story