Current Blue-Green Algae
Warnings and Advisories
Oklahoma's Illinois River Fly Fishing School Set for 27th Year
Signup is now open for the Illinois River Fly Fishing School, which has become one of the most popular fishing education workshops held each year in Oklahoma. The 2015 session will be Feb. 20-21 at Tenkiller State Park and on the banks of the Illinois River. Read Story
F.I.S.H pays landowners to allow fishing access
Enrolled private waters can benefit from fish stocking and habitat management
November 27, 2014 PRATT – If you are a landowner with private waters and are interested in sharing the joy of fishing with others, you may want to consider becoming a part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats Program (F.I.S.H.). F.I.S.H. is patterned after the very successful Walk-In Hunting Access Program with a goal of increasing public fishing opportunities in Kansas. This is accomplished by leasing private waters from landowners for public fishing. Landowners participating in F.I.S.H. receive payments for the use of their land while leaving it in private ownership, and anglers are in turn provided with a place to fish that might not have been available otherwise. Enrollment for 2015 is currently open and will close December 15, 2014. Read Story
Angler Education Instructor Course set for Dec. 6 in Girard
Become certified to teach fishing techniques in Kansas during one-day course
Nov. 20, 2014 - PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will host an Angler Certification Course Dec. 6 for anglers wishing to teach fishing techniques in Kansas. The class will be held from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Greenbush Camp and Retreat Center, 947 W 47 Hwy, Girard, KS 66743. Read Story
Zebra Mussels discovered in Pomona Reservoir
Oct. 3, 2014 - TOPEKA– The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Pomona Reservoir in Osage County. A small adult group was discovered on a single rock by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) staff on September 23 in Management Park cove near the south end of the dam. KDWPT staff found more zebra mussels the next day. Read Story
Tyler wins BASS Central Open finale on home waters
Sept. 13, 2014 - MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Former Bassmaster Elite Series pro Mark Tyler cashed in his home water advantage to win the Bass Pro Shops Central Open presented by Allstate finale on the Arkansas River.
The Vian, Okla., angler hadn’t fished the river since last year’s Open at Muskogee, so he relied on five previous years of experience to catch the winning weight of 42 pounds, 14 ounces and took home a $40,000 Skeeter ZX200/Yamaha VF200LA rig and $6,101 in cash. Cattle ranching kept Tyler too busy to fish the river this year, but he estimated in the previous five years he spent about 100 days a year fishing the river. Read Story
Tyler takes charge at Arkansas River in Central Open finale
Sept. 12, 2014 - MUSKOGEE, Okla. — His strategy of relying on past history and “winging it” is giving local angler Mark Tyler an edge at the Bass Pro Shops Basssmaster Central Open finale on the Arkansas River.
The Vian, Okla., angler sacked up a 14-pound, 12-ounce limit today to take over the pro division lead with 30-5. Tyler said he has been so busy with his cattle ranch this year that he hasn’t been able to fish the river much, so he had to rely on his extensive experience on his home waters. Read Story
Coppin Capitalizes in Pro Debut
Sept. 11, 2014 - MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Clayton Coppin of Wagoner, Okla., copied a page out of Stephen Browning’s playbook to take the pro division lead in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open presented by Allstate finale on the Arkansas River.
“I have a little magic tree,” Coppin said. “About three or four years ago we were here, and I did really well out of it.” Bassmaster Elite Series pro Stephen Browning claims he also had a magic tree on the Red River that produced the key fish he needed to win the 2013 and 2014 Central Opens. Coppin’s magic tree yielded a five-fish limit weighing 16 pounds, 8 ounces for the Oklahoma angler fishing in his pro division debut. Read Story
Kansas floatline fishing season opens July 15, runs to September 15
Anglers can have up to eight floatlines, special permit required
July 10, 2014 - PRATT – Floatline fishing season is just two-months long, and open to only 12 select areas within the state, but for channel cat anglers looking to get an edge out in the water, this season is the highlight of summer. Read Story
Kansas frog fishing season opens July 1
Bullfrogs can prove quite the challenge, but offer tasty cuisine
June 19, 2014 - PRATT– Kansas bullfrog season is less than two weeks away, and for those looking for the ultimate summer fishing challenge, this is it. From July 1-October 31, anglers can attempt to catch these four-legged amphibians with several different techniques. Read Story
Kansas Youth Catch, Photo and Release Contest announced
Youth age 15 and under are invited to participate
June 12, 2014 - PRATT – If you’re 15 or younger and have recently caught a largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill or any species of catfish, you could win some new fishing gear through the first ever “Catch, Photo and Release” contest, which starts June 20. Fishing’s Future, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Cabela’s and KVOE Outdoors want to hear about your latest fishing adventure. Read Story
Wray seeks shelter, finds fish to win Central Divisional
Arkansas angler Josh Wray wins the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional on Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula, sacking a three-day total of 41 pounds, 5 ounces. Photo by Greg Huff/Bassmaster
June 6, 2014 - EUFAULA, Okla. — Seeking shelter from the storm proved key to Josh Wray’s B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional win Friday on Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula.
On many parts of the 100,000-plus acre lake, heavy rain and persistent lightning prompted several competitors to seek shelter for an hour or more. But while they were waiting it out, Wray was filling out his limit — without getting wet.Read Story
How to find a Kansas fishing hole this summer
June 5, 2014 - PRATT – If you’ve ever been fishing, you know there are a multitude of questions that can flutter through an angler’s mind – why were the fish biting yesterday and not today? Did I put the right line on? Should I use a chartreuse or white spinner bait? All of these are valid questions, but where to fish shouldn’t be one of them. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has several tools available to help make your day on the water as successful as possible. Read Story
Preston Frazell leads Central Divisional after two days on Eufaula
Kansas team in second place
June 5, 2014 - EUFAULA, Okla. —
Preston Frazell was too polite to mention it when he weighed the 7-pound, 1-ounce kicker largemouth that gave him the Day 2 lead in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional on Lake Eufaula, but his co-angler Teb Jones fessed up when he weighed in moments later — Frazell had caught the biggun from the back of the boat, on one of Jones’ spots.
Read Story
Wray wrangles wind to take early Central Divisional Lead
June 4, 2014 - EUFAULA, Okla. — Embracing the wind, not trying to duck it, played heavily into B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional leader Josh Wray’s successful pattern today on Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula.
“I knew I could catch bigger fish if I’d stay where the wind was really hitting the worst and driving everybody else away,” said the Arkansas B.AS.S. Nation angler. “I just followed the wind.” Read Story
Kansans Koblitze and Perry 14th in National Walleye Championship
Eleven Kansas two-angler teams included in field for national title
May 30, 2014 - Green Bay, Wis. – America’s best walleye anglers are competing for the Cabela’s National Team Championship on Green Bay and the Fox River May 29-31, and 11 of 237 teams fishing are from Kansas. Teams qualify for the national competition by fishing in local contests sanctioned by The Walleye Federation. Teams are competing for more than $250,000 in cash and prizes. Read Story
No license required for anglers June 7-8
May 29, 2014 - PRATT – What’s better than a day of free fishing? Two days of free fishing, of course. Across the state, anglers of all ages can enjoy a full weekend of free fishing June 7-8 on any Kansas waters. Read Story
Three Kansas state parks make "Top 36" list
Out of more than 7,500 U.S. state parks, Kansas makes the list three times
May 8, 2014 - PRATT – While compiling a list of some of our country’s best state parks, The Active Times couldn’t ignore the state of Kansas; in fact, they couldn’t ignore the sunflower state three times. Out of more than 7,500 U.S. state parks to choose from, three Kansas state parks made the media group’s “36 Stunning U.S. State Parks” list. Kanopolis State Park was listed No. 14, Lake Scott State Park No. 23, and Wilson State Park No. 34. Read Story
Browning repeats at Red River in Central Open
April 26, 2014 - SHREVEPORT, La. — Stephen Browning’s home water is the Arkansas River, but he might want to consider relocating to the Red River.
For the second straight year Browning has won the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on the Red River. In 2013, he rallied from 12th place to first on the final day, but this year he only had to climb from second place to repeat as the Open champion. Read Story
Registrations due Thursday, April 24
Catfish Tournament to benefit Wichita's Watson Park April 26
The 2014 Midwest Catfish Classic is being held Saturday, April 26 at O.J. Watson Park sponsored by the Wichita Parks Foundation. For complete information and to register, go to www.wichitaparksfoundation.org. All proceeds benefit O.J. Watson Park improvements. To be entered in the Fishing Tournament, register online or print and fill out the team registration form. Registrations will not be accepted the morning of the event.
Two person teams can register for $50 and Corporate teams with up to four members can register for $150. Read Story
Youth fishing clinic scheduled for June 6 and 7 at Tuttle Creek
April 24, 2014
The Tuttle Creek Lake Association invites youth age 8-12 to participate
MANHATTAN – The Tuttle Creek Lake Association invites youth 8-12 to participate in its 20th Annual Youth Fishing Clinic June 6-7, 2014 at Anneberg Park Lake. Read Story
Angler Education Certification Course set for May 17
Anglers can make a difference by teaching fishing techniques across Kansas
April 17, 2014 - PRATT – A bobber goes down, the reel starts spinning, and fishing line is being taken out to water. The excitement overwhelms her so much that she forgets what to do. He was there to walk her through the steps, and before she knew it, her first-ever fish was in her hands. Wide-eyed and grinning from ear to ear, she says “that was fun,” and that’s all he needed to hear. You, too, can help create unforgettable memories like this for anglers of all ages by becoming certified to teach fishing techniques in the state of Kansas. Read Story
New Kansas state record Rainbow Trout tips scales at 15.72 pounds
Angler Josh McCullough caught the behemoth trout from Kill Creek Park Lake in Johnson County
April 10, 2014 - PRATT – In Kansas trout waters, it’s not uncommon to drop a lure and get a bite after a few minutes, but to drop a lure, get a bite, and reel in a 15.72-pound rainbow trout is almost unheard of. Read Story
Free entry and special events at all Kansas State Parks March 29
March 21, 2014 TOPEKA – Harsh winter weather has people longing for warmer days ahead, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has the perfect remedy for cabin fever. KDWPT invites outdoor enthusiasts to “Spring Into Summer” on Saturday, March 29 with a free entrance day and open houses at all Kansas state parks. Most parks will host special activities for the whole family to enjoy. Visit
State Parks Open Houses to learn about the special events at participating parks.
Read Story
Catch the "Fish Management in Kansas" video online
Full-length video provides overview of how fisheries are managed so anglers catch more fish
March 27, 2014 PRATT – “Good fishing doesn’t happen by itself,” is the first line in a full-length video, Fish Management In Kansas, produced by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) to help anglers learn how “good fishing happens” and how our fisheries are managed. Read Story
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Randy Howell’s Charmed Last Day Leads To Bassmaster Classic Victory
Feb. 23, 2014 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Every angler dreams of catching bass after giant bass like Randy Howell did on Sunday.
Howell began hauling in Lake Guntersville lunkers minutes into the final round of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro. He lost track of how many culls he was able to make, but at one point he was trading 4- and 5-pounders for even larger bass. Read Story
Edwin Evers Eases Into Bassmaster Classic Lead By 1 Ounce
Feb. 22, 2014 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Just 1 ounce separated the two frontrunners Saturday in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro, but it’s far from being a duel in Sunday’s finale, said the leader.
“It’s not just me and him,” said Edwin Evers, who replaced Randall Tharp in the catbird seat in the Lake Guntersville competition. “There are a lot of anglers in this yet who can catch them. Thirty-pound bags are possible.” Read Story
Randall Tharp Rolls On Bassmaster Classic Field With 27-Plus Pounds
Feb. 21, 2014 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Losing what he called “a really good fish” right off the bat, Randall Tharp’s Friday didn’t begin well.
But a few keepers later, Tharp began to roll straight toward the first-day lead of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro on Lake Guntersville.
“At about my fifth stop, I finally got into a little school and caught an 8 1/2 and a 5. From then on, it got pretty easy,” said the Floridian, who ended round one with 27 pounds, 8 ounces. “I caught fish at about every stop I made.” Read Story
2014 Kansas fishing forecast a recipe book for great angling
Anglers can dish up a great day on the water using information found in the 2014 Fishing Forecast
Feb. 6, 2014 - PRATT You don’t have to be a world-renowned chef to recognize a good meal when you eat one, and now you don’t have to be a Master Angler in order to catch fish like one. Read Story
Bassmaster Classic To Return In 2015 To South Carolina
Jan. 16, 2014 - GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Bassmaster Classic is going “Upcountry” in 2015.
Greenville and Lake Hartwell, located in the upstate region of South Carolina popularly known as The Upcountry, have been selected as the sites for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. Read Story