Changes made to Kansas fish creel limits, invasive species regulations

HAYS (KSNT) - Kansas wildlife commissioners met in Hays last week, making several changes to regulations guiding fishing creel limits and invasive species.

Commissioners with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) gathered in Hays on Thursday, June 20 to discuss the latest issues regarding the state's outdoor spaces. They voted in favor of approving changes to the following regulations following a presentation by KDWP Fisheries Division Director Bryan Sowards:

KAR 115-25-14

• Blue catfish
  • Change to 10 per day creel and only one 30 inches or longer for Clinton, Glen Elder, John Redmond, Melvern, El Dorado and Elk City reservoirs.
  • Change to 10 per day creel with a 28 to 40-inch slot, only one of which can be 40 inches or longer.
• Channel catfish
  • Change to two per day creel and 15-inch MLL for Eisenhower Park Pond in Marquette.
  • Change to five per day creel for Trexler Lake in Graham County.
  • Remove two per day creel for Smoky Gardens in Sherman County.
• Walleye
  • Change to two per day creel and 18-inch MLL for Trexler Lake.
• Saugeye
  • Requirement for 21-inch MLL for Veteran's Lake in Great Bend.
• Largemouth bass
  • Remove catch and release only on largemouth bass for Smoky Gardens.
• Paddlefish
  • Remove Neosho Falls Dam, Erie Dam, Oswego Dam, Coffeyville Dam and Ottawa Dam from list of paddlefish snagging locations.

KAR 115-17-3

This change requires commercial fish bait permit applicants to successfully complete the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) certification course. You can learn more about this certification by clicking here.

KAR 115-7-3, 115-7-9 and 115-7-10

Replaces the word "nuisance" with "invasive" in these regulations. This involves four spots in the KDWP's regulations and is being made for clarification purposes.

• 115-7-3: Fish; taking and use of baitfish or minnows.
• 115-7-10: Weigh-in black bass fishing tournaments.
• 115-7-10: Fishing; special provisions.

KAR 115-7-10

Adds Willow Lake and Riley County portion of the Kansas River to the list of Kansas Aquatic Invasive Species Designated Waters.

The next meeting for KDWP commissioners will be on Thursday, Aug. 29 at the Independence Gun Club Heritage Center in Independence. To watch the full meeting back online, click here.

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