Fishing News and Reports of Interest to Kansas Anglers

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KDWPT says they have exciting changes coming for Kansas license buyers, especially those that buy licenses online

Posted: 29 Nov 2017 02:22 PM PST
PRATT – When you purchase your 2018 licenses and permits from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), you’ll likely notice some changes. As usual, annual and 14-day camp permits and most other annual licenses will be available on Dec. 15, 2017. The campsite and cabin reservation system for 2018 will go live Dec. 18, 2017. Read Story

Trout Stocking Under Way
at Oklahoma's Seasonal Fishing Spots

November 17,2017 - Anglers needn’t hang up their gear just because winter’s getting near. There’s still plenty of fishing fun to be found at Oklahoma’s seasonal and year-round trout fishing areas!
Each year, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation stocks trout at six seasonal trout fishing areas across the state, beginning Nov. 1 and continuing into March or April. Those areas are Perry CCC/Lake Perry Park, Robbers Cave, Blue River, Lake Watonga, Medicine Creek and Lake Carl Etling. Read Story

New public fish salvage ordered at Woodson State Fishing Lake
08 Nov 2017 - PRATT – Last April, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) announced that Woodson State Fishing Lake, known locally as Lake Fegan, was scheduled for needed repairs and enhancements. Flooding had damaged the popular Woodson County lake’s spillway, and while assessing the damage, KDWPT engineers noted that the outlet valve and tubes needed attention. The 180-acre lake, which is located just 5 miles east of Toronto, was constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and some of the infrastructure was showing its age. Read Story

KDWPT will stock more trout, more often this season

KDWPT To Stock More Trout, More Often This Season Oct 25, 2017 PRATT – You’re not seeing double and that’s not a typo. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Fisheries Division staff will provide trout anglers with more fish, more often this season. Read Story

Elam's Bassmaster Open win sends Iaconelli to Bassmaster Classic
Three Kansans in the money on final day

Oct. 7, 2017 - GROVE, Okla. — Bassmaster Elite Series pro James Elam captured his second victory on Oklahoma waters by winning the season-ending Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.

Casey Scanlon of Lenexa, Kansas won second place honors on the boater side while Beau Branine of Haysville, Kansas placed sixth. Aubrey Herlocker of Winfield, Kansas ended the three day event with a tenth place finish on the non-boater side. Read Story

Ever think about being a game warden? Here's your chance
Applying To Become A Kansas Game Warden 04 Oct 2017 - PRATT – If you’ve dreamt of working as a game warden for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) the first step is completing testing and assessment, which will occur on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Crisis City Training Complex, 8 miles southwest of Salina. Read Story

Ortega Takes Over Lead At Bassmaster Open On Grand Lake
Casey Scanlon (Lenexa) top Kansan boater in fifth
Aubrey Herlocker (Winfield) top Kansannon-boater in sixth

Oct. 6, 2017 - GROVE, Okla. — Two months ago Andy Ortega was competing in a high school world finals championship. Today, he is leading the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open finale at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.

The 18-year-old Odessa, Texas, angler weighed in a five-bass limit of 12 pounds, 7 ounces to take over the lead in the pro division with 28-6. “I had a little bit less today, but yesterday I had more than I was expecting,” he said. “I was expecting to have 12 pounds and I ended up getting 15, which was a bonus and an awesome head start.” Read Story

Toby Hartsell heads the pack in Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake
Beau Branine (Haysville) top Kansan boater in 9th
Aubrey Herlocker (Winfield) top Kansan non-boater in 3rd

Oct. 5, 2017 - GROVE, Okla. — Toby Hartsell relied on his home-waters advantage at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees to take the lead in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open finale.

The 46-year-old Afton, Okla., angler caught a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 5 ounces despite struggling recently to catch bass on his home lake. “The fishing has been really bad," said Hartsell, the co-owner of an automated boat cover business. “It had gotten to the point where I couldn’t even catch five keepers. I could go out tomorrow and not catch a limit.” Read Story

Big Bass Challenge sponsored by Hays Bass Anglers Association
is ready for the 17th edition September 9 at Wilson Lake

Hays Bass Anglers Association is encouraging anglers to send in their entries ASAP---Reminder that entry forms post-marked by Sept 3rd are $130/boat; afterwards, entries are $150/boat--cash only on day of event. Read Story

Cheney to host upcoming Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission meeting

26 Jul 2017 - PRATT – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Commission will conduct their next public meeting on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the Ninnescah Sailing Club in Cheney State Park. The afternoon session will begin at 1 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m. The evening session will convene at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend both sessions and time will be set aside for public comment at the beginning of each for discussion of non-agenda items. Read Story

Bassmaster Magazine names Mille Lacs best lake in nation

June 29, 2017 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Minnesota’s state motto is “Star of the North,” which seems appropriate seeing Bassmaster Magazine has crowned the state’s second largest lake as the best bass fishery in the nation based on the recent release of the publication’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings.

Mille Lacs Lake, a 132,516-acre natural lake located 100 miles north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, soared to the No. 1 spot after months of research unveiled its unbelievable production of smallmouth bass. Mille Lacs was ranked No. 6 in the nation last year. Read Story

Kansas Bullfrog season starts July 1
Bullfrog Season Opener July 1 June 21, 2017 - PRATT – Bullfrogs: big, green, bellowing creatures of the pond. They’re a common sight in Kansas, and more so a common sound at night. A bullfrog’s call seems to say “summer is here,” and what better way to celebrate the season than to catch these water-loving acrobats with friends and family. The Kansas bullfrog season will be open from July 1-October 31. The daily limit of bullfrogs is eight and the possession limit is 24. Read Story

Handfishing requires nerves of steel
June 7, 2017 - PRATT – Do you have what it takes to go handfishing? You can find out June 15-Aug. 15 during the Kansas handfishing season. Other than a strong grip, handfishing permit and a fishing license, all you really need is nerves of steel because you’ll be reaching into dark crevices and undercut banks to feel around for a hiding flathead catfish, which by the way, might weigh more than a 10-year-old little league shortstop. Read Story

New Cheney Marina to Open This Weekend

New Cheney Marina To Open This Weekend May 26, 2017 - PRATT – The Cheney Marina will be open for business over Memorial Day weekend, thanks to a quick response from Congressman Ron Estes’ office in Washington. The marina building, which sits in Cheney State Park on Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) land, has been renovated and was poised to open. Read Story

Kansas Free Fishing Weekend set for June 3-4
Free Fishing Weekend June 3-4 May 17, 2017 - PRATT – Grab your fishing poles and load up the family, and leave your cash at home. Come the first weekend in June the only thing you’ll need for a great time is your lure and line. No fishing licenses are required because June 3 and 4 is Free Fishing Weekend in Kansas. Read Story

May is Master Angler Month in Kansas

May, 3, 2017 - PRATT – Dedicated anglers fish for the love of fishing. Whether they take some fish home to eat or practice catch and release, all anglers enjoy preserving the memories of special moments on the water. Just mention fishing to a dedicated angler and you’re sure to see a smartphone appear with photos from a recent trip. And there’s another way to remember your biggest catches: a Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Master Angler Award. Read Story

Kansas’ Kickback High School Bass Teams Sweep Top Spots
In Bassmaster High School Open

April 2, 2017 - OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — With less than two hours of competition remaining, Trevor Whisenant and Brett Lasley had only one keeper bass in the live-well.

It wasn’t exactly how they expected to fare in the Costa Bassmaster High School Midwest Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods held Sunday on Lake of the Ozarks. Read Story

Lee Wins The Bassmaster Classic

March 26, 2017 - HOUSTON — In 2013, Jordan Lee was a member of the Auburn University fishing team.

Today, he’s on top of the professional bass fishing world.

The 25-year-old pro from Guntersville, Ala., stayed within striking distance all week at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Then during Sunday’s final round at Minute Maid Park, he caught five bass from Lake Conroe that weighed 27 pounds, 4 ounces, pushing his three-day total to a tournament-best 56-10.

Lee earned $300,000 and the most coveted trophy in the sport, while Steve Kennedy — a resident of Auburn, Ala. — finished second with 55-1. Read Story

Ehrler will lead the field into final round of Bassmaster Classic

March 25, 2017 - HOUSTON — Brent Ehrler is trying his best to stay grounded.

He’s saying all the right things.

But after two big days, there’s just no denying that he’s one step away from the biggest accomplishment of his professional bass fishing career.

The 40-year-old California angler caught five bass Saturday that weighed 20 pounds, 1 ounce and pushed his two-day total to 43-4 in front of a giant crowd at Minute Maid Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros. That was good enough to lead the 47th annual GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods on Lake Conroe by more than 2 pounds going into Sunday’s final round. Read Story

Giant largemouth thrusts Ehrler into lead at Bassmaster Classic

March 24, 2017 - HOUSTON — After finishing 29th or lower in 10 of his last 12 tournaments with B.A.S.S., Brent Ehrler has been open about his recent frustrations.

“It’s really been bugging me that I haven’t been able to put myself in position to win,” Ehrler said. “To me, that’s the thrill of tournament fishing — just being in position as the tournament is coming to an end — and I have not experienced it at all on the Elite Series.”

On Friday, Ehrler put himself in that position — and he did it on the biggest stage professional bass fishing has to offer. Read Story

Biologists' newsletters are anglers' multitools
Biologists’ Newsletters Are Anglers’ Multitools
15 Mar 2017 - PRATT – Just about everyone can attest to the value of a Swiss army knife – they’re compact, reliable, and useful in a variety of situations. The same can be said for Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s district fisheries newsletters. Crafted by the men and women who know area waters best, these free, online newsletters are produced by fisheries staff for anyone who signs up to receive them. It’s like having your very own fisheries multitool in your pocket, only each newsletter is tailored specifically for the district where you fish. Read Story

Paddlefish Season Opens March 15

Paddlefish Season Opens March 15 Mar. 1, 2017 - PRATT – Anglers are eager for warm weather and time on the water, and one of the hallmarks of spring fishing is the opening of the paddlefish snagging season. But hold on, it’s not as easy as showing up on opening day. While there are several rivers in southeast Kansas where paddlefish snagging is allowed, conditions must be right for paddlefish to be present. Read Story

No license sales will available Feb. 18 (9:45 pm) thru Feb. 22 (8am)
Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Gets New Licensing System

Kansas Wildlife, Parks And Tourism Gets New Licensing System 15 Feb 2017 - PRATT – In late February, the computer license sales and reservation system the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has used for many years will be no more. A new and improved system, provided by Active Network, will go into full operation. Active Network has provided the software and point-of-sale hardware for 11 years that allowed KDWPT to accept campsite and cabin reservations and sell licenses online, maintaining all license records electronically. That contract expired and a new contract, with some changes, is now in place.

License buyers and campers won’t notice a big difference; however, the current license sales system will shut down at 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 18, and the new system will be online at 8 a.m. on Feb. 22. No license or permit sales will be available through the system for roughly three days. The campsite and cabin reservation system will shut down at 12:01 a.m., Feb. 20 and go back online at 6 p.m., Feb. 21. Read Story

Fishing forecast for 2017 online now

January 25, 2017 - PRATT – Most anglers will keep good fishing spots close to their vests, but unfortunately for them, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism doesn’t. The 2017 Kansas Fishing Forecast is now available online, just in time for anglers to begin planning fishing trips for this spring. Read Story

New 2017 Kansas fishing regulations summary available online
2017 Fishing Regulations Summary Available Online Jan. 4, 2017 - PRATT – With just the flick of a lure, you could land your best catch yet this spring, and with just the click of a mouse, you can access Kansas’ best fishing resource online. The electronic edition of the 2017 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary is now available online at ksoutdoors.com and that means information on this year’s new regulations, special seasons, creel and length limits, license fees and legal fishing methods is at your fingertips. Read Story