GLEN ELDER TO HOST ANNUAL YOUTH FISHING TOURNAMENT

Youngsters can hone angling skills
 and win prizes during Glen Elder
youth fishing tournament

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. The event will be held June 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., coinciding with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) free fishing weekend.

Participants will receive a new fishing pole, t-shirt, fishing tackle, and a free lunch.

The tournament is open to youth 7-14, and there is no fee to participate. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., with boats hitting the water at 8:00 a.m. The tournament will conclude at 1:00 p.m., followed by lunch and an awards ceremony. Prizes will be awarded to youth who caught the biggest fish of a given species, and the youth who caught the most fish overall.

Space is limited, so parents are encouraged to call early and reserve a spot. For more information, or to sign-up for this event, contact KDWPT district fisheries biologist Scott Waters at (785) 545-3345.

KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL FISHING STATE CHAMPIONSHIP JUNE 30

Winners eligible for regional championships, college scholarships
RUSSELL — The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with Forrest L. Wood (FLW) Outdoors, will host the Student Angler Federation Kansas High School Fishing State Championship June 30 at Wilson Reservoir, near Russell. The state championship is a two-person team event for students in grades 9-12. The winning two-person team from each state championship will advance to an FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championship held in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship hosted on a college campus this fall.

Registration for high school anglers and their coaches, who will provide the boat they compete in, is available online at HighSchoolFishing.org, by phoning 580-765-9031, or by emailing info@highschoolfishing.org for more details.

Mandatory check-in begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 29, in the TBF tournament trailer at Wilson State Park’s Hell Creek Area boat ramp, with a mandatory rules briefing at 8 p.m. Teams are encouraged to preregister online or by phone in advance to avoid late-registration fees.

Students and parents can go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and to sign up. Cost is $25 and includes a one-year SAF membership and full TBF and FLW Outdoors benefits, including access to FLW Outdoors Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The fee covers all SAF sanctioned events all year.

Each team that qualifies for a regional and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The High School Fishing National Championship winners will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to use at the university of their choice.

An SAF-sanctioned event also includes an “angler testing” component. Anglers can take a free online test at HighSchoolFishing.org about boater safety, conservation, and angler ethics, which makes them eligible for contingency awards at their state championship.

For more information, email The Bass Federation at info@highschoolfishing.org, phone 580-765-9031, or go online to www.highschoolfishing.org.

LOVEWELL STATE PARK TO HOLD KIDS FISHING DERBY

 (Photo credit: clermontparks)

Event coincides with Free Fishing Days
WEBBER — Free Fishing Days is set for Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3. Fishing licenses are not required to fish any Kansas waters for these two days, including Lovewell Reservoir, near Webber and Lovewell State Park. However, vehicle and camping permits are still required.
In conjunction with Free Fishing Days, Lovewell State Park’s Kids Fishing Derby is set for Sunday, June 3. Park and wildlife area staff and area businesses sponsor this annual event. Each year, participants have the opportunity to win the $200 Don Cart Memorial Savings Bond. The family of Don Cart, former Concordia resident and avid Lovewell area outdoorsman who passed away several years ago, has donated this bond.
Registration for the fishing derby is from 8 a.m. to noon at the state park office, with early registration prizes awarded to the first 50 kids who register. The weigh-in is set for 3 p.m. at the marina parking lot. Anglers will be divided into two age brackets: 7 and younger and 8 through 15 years old. Prizes will be awarded for the most pounds of fish and biggest fish in each age bracket, plus all participants present at the weigh-in are eligible for prizes drawn at random.
Area businesses and individuals have donated more than $1,000 in prizes and gift certificates for the event. For more information, phone Lovewell State Park at 785-753-4971 or email lovewellsp@ksoutdoors.com.

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FATHER’S DAY FISHING DERBY AT MEADE STATE PARK

Courtesy KDWP

June 18-19 will be Dad’s day at only state park in southwest Kansas
MEADE — On Father’s Day weekend June 18-19, Meade State Park and Friends of Meade State Park and Lake will host a Father’s Day Fishing Derby at Meade State Fishing Lake. This is a free event, but regular park fees still apply.

Teams must include a parent/guardian and a child 16 or younger. Participants must register at the park office. Registration and the fishing derby will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 18. The registration will cut off at 10 a.m. on Sunday June, 19.

Prizes will be given for the largest stringer of fish and largest fish in the following categories: bass, crappie, and catfish. Fish can be weighed in from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, the final weigh-in time. Participants do not need to be present at the final weigh-in to win.

For more information, phone the park office at 620-873-2572.

Glen Elder Youth Fishing Tournament Postponed

High water forces delay
GLEN ELDER — Due to high water levels at Glen Elder Reservoir, the 7^th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament has been postponed until July 23. Heavy rainfall this week on top of previous storms the last two weeks has caused the water level to reach 6.2 feet over conservation pool, with the potential for another 4-feet rise through the weekend. The Marina and Boller Point boat ramps had been closed earlier, and the Osage boat ramp is closed as of Thursday, June 2.

The schedule of events will remain the same for July 23 with registration at the park office between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. and fishing until 3 p.m. Anyone who had previously signed up for the fishing tournament the weekend of June 4 will still be on the list for July 23. Those who cannot make that date are asked to call the park office at 785-545-3345 and let staff know. Phone this number for further information.

GLEN ELDER YOUTH FISHING TOURNAMENT JUNE 4

Kids 7 through 14 get to spend day on lake with a seasoned angler and his boat

GLEN ELDER — The 7th annual Glen Elder Youth Fishing Tournament will be held June 4, the first day of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ Free Fishing Days. All youth ages 7 through 14 are encouraged to call the Glen Elder State Park office, 785-545-3345, to register before the limited number of spots are filled.

During the event, youngsters will ride with volunteer anglers in their boats for a day of fishing on Glen Elder Reservoir. Lunch will be provided, and all youth will receive a fishing pole, tackle, and prizes, with special awards going to the youngsters with the most fish and biggest fish of each species.

Anyone with a boat who would be willing to assist that day should call the office to sign up. This should be a great time for the entire family to visit the reservoir and have a fun weekend in the great outdoors.

In addition to the above phone number, more information is available by emailing scott.waters@ksoutdoors.com.