“WANNA GO FISHING FOR MILLIONS?” CONTEST UNDER WAY

Tagged fish could net anglers big bucks; great Free Fishing Days opportunity

PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is participating in the “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?” contest, which began May 14 and runs to July 14. The contest, sponsored by Cabela’s and Wanna Go Fishing TV, involves hundreds of fish that were tagged in 19 states in roughly 60 lakes, including the Sunflower State’s Milford, Glen Elder, Cheney, Cedar Bluff, Hillsdale, Clinton, Kanopolis, and El Dorado reservoirs. Anglers must register, which is free.

Registered anglers who catch a tagged fish will be directed to the contest website where they will find instructions on redeeming the tags for prizes. Among the winning fish are grand prize winners that may qualify for additional bonuses based on the winning angler using or wearing sponsors’ products when they catch a tagged fish. The largest payout could be as much as $2.2 million.

Colorado is the only neighboring state participating in the contest, so Kansas could draw quite a few anglers from its neighbors, as well as boost the numbers of residents who fish our waters. As of May 13, nearly 57,000 anglers had pre-registered from around the nation. KDWP staff expect an increase in the number of people visiting the contest lakes and associated parks, especially on Free Fishing Days, June 4-5, and the various Free Park Entrance Days (contact individual parks for detailed information).

For more information and to register, visit the contest website online atwww.cabelas.com/fishformillions or click on the contest ad on the KDWP home page, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. KDWP staff and members of their immediate household family are not eligible to participate in the contest.

Free Fishing Days on June 4 and 5

Image via Wikipedia
Everyone may fish without a license; scout hotspots online


PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will offer 2011 Free Fishing Days on June 4-5, in coordination with National Fishing Week. On these days, anglers of all ages may fish without a fishing license. Ordinarily, nonresidents 16 or older and residents age 16 through 64 must have a fishing license to fish in Kansas, but on June 4-5, everyone gets to fish for free, making this the ideal time to introduce a curious would-be angler of any age to this healthy, challenging pastime that offers a lifetime of pleasure. Kansas has hundreds of lakes and streams, including numerous conveniently-located community lakes. Finding the ideal fishing location is simple: go to the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, click "Fishing" at the top of the page, then “Where to Fish” in the left-hand column.

Public fishing waters also are listed in the Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary, available on the website or in printed form at KDWP offices and license vendors around the state. The summary also provides a fish identification guide, length and creel limits, and a variety of additional information for anglers.
Visitors to Milford, Glen Elder, Cheney, Cedar Bluff, Hillsdale, Clinton, Kanopolis, and El Dorado reservoirs will have a chance to participate in the “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?” contest, which began May 14 and runs to July 14. Registered anglers who catch a tagged fish in one of these lakes will be directed to the contest website where they will find instructions on redeeming tags for prizes ranging from new fishing gear to as much as $2.2 million. But you have to register. Registration is free online at www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=107520480&WT.ac=RRfishformillions .

For information on fishing prospects, lake ratings for all sportfish may be found on the KDWP’s online Fishing Forecast. In addition, the most currently-recorded biologists' fishing reports may be found on the Fishing Reportspage, and anglers can report their own experiences and read those of others on the department's Public Fishing Reports page. In the Public Fishing Reports blog is a section called "Dock Squawk." In this section, blogs have been created for anglers to discuss fishing-related issues in each region of the state. In addition, KDWP Blogsoffers “The Kansas Fisherman,” written by Clay Dixon, a professional angler who has been fishing Kansas waters for more than 30 years. Dixon tells stories of his experiences, includes videos of recent trips, and gives tips and lessons that will help everyone become a better angler.

Late May and early June are some of the best times to take advantage of Kansas angling opportunities. If you haven't already bought a license or are curious about fishing, take advantage of this opportunity on June 4-5.

STATE FISHING LAKES OFFER GREAT MEMORIAL DAY OUTINGS

Survey indicates highly-satisfied Memorial Day weekend visitors
PRATT — Looking for a peaceful, uncrowded Memorial Day weekend outdoor experience? Try a Kansas state fishing lake.

Last year, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) fisheries biologists and public lands managers conducted surveys at state fishing lakes during the Memorial Day weekend to determine if anglers felt crowded. A total of 337 interviews were completed at 24 state fishing lakes across Kansas.

The result? Most anglers reported low levels of crowding, high satisfaction, and sufficient access for shore and boat anglers. Three observations made it clear that state fishing lakes offered an uncrowded, user-friendly experience, even on the busiest weekends:

• minimal to no wait time to launch a boat;
• on average, only one-third of parking areas full; and
• anglers less crowded than they anticipated.

Anglers were highly satisfied with their experience, indicating that state fishing lakes are great alternatives for those seeking less crowded experiences during a traditionally busy fishing and camping holiday weekend.

In addition to fishing, picnicking and camping were popular activities at state fishing lakes. Some, such as Kingman, McPherson, Mined Land, and Ottawa offer modern, affordable cabins for those who prefer not to camp. Many state fishing lakes also have ADA-compliant facilities, such as accessible docks and piers.

You don’t need a boat to enjoy the state fishing lake angling experience because numerous piers, jetties, and accessible shoreline are available for easy access. In fact, last year’s survey indicated that nearly half of the interviewed anglers fished from shore, and they responded positively when asked if there was enough access to the lake without having a boat.

As the name suggests, most state fishing lakes are managed for anglers, so no pleasure boating, skiing, or swimming is allowed. (Because Crawford, Meade, and Scott are also state parks, they allow swimming, and Crawford and Scott allow some recreational boating and offer recreational facilities such as sand volleyball courts, bathhouses, and horseshoe pits. Chase State Fishing Lake also has a swimming beach.) Water-use restrictions may limit their appeal to some outdoor users, but for others, the limitation may be a peaceful plus.

“The bottom line is that anglers who chose to fish on Memorial Day weekend at state fishing lakes last year were very happy with their experience,” said Doug Nygren, KDWP Fisheries Section supervisor. “And most did not feel crowded, even on the busiest weekend of the year. These lakes are great alternatives to large federal reservoirs on Memorial Day. If you just want to enjoy nature, camp, and fish, you may be able to find a great family-friendly spot all to yourself at a state fishing lake this Memorial Day weekend.”

CABELA’S ANNOUNCES WANNA GO FISHING FOR MILLIONS? PROMOTION

Tagged fish worth big bucks
SIDNEY, Neb. — Get out your shiny lures and round up some night crawlers. Cabela’s, along with the Outdoor Channel — Wanna Go Fishing TV — and supporting sponsors have announced “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?”, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win millions of dollars in cash and prizes by enjoying one of America’s favorite pastimes — fishing.
Cabela’s and Wanna Go Fishing TV are tagging hundreds of fish in lakes near select Cabela’s retail stores, including several in Kansas, and every one of them is a winner. Among the winning fish are grand prize winners that may qualify for additional bonuses based on the winning angler using or wearing sponsors’ products when they catch a tagged fish.
“We all know there is tremendous competition when it comes to deciding how to spend leisure time,” said Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer Tommy Millner. “We are particularly excited about the Wanna Go Fishing for Millions? promotion because it’s fun, interactive, has the potential for a lot of winners, and will help promote fishing on local waters.”
In celebration of Cabela’s 50th anniversary, the 50th tag redeemed will win a $10,000 Cabela’s shopping spree that can be redeemed in a store or online. There are additional prizes for the first fish tag redeemed in every state.
Want to win even more? By catching the grand prize tagged fish while using an Abu Garcia reel spooled with Berkley line, anglers can double the winnings. Catch the grand prize fish while sporting Costa sunglasses or Sperry Top-Sider shoes, and you can increase the prize package by $100,000. By using all of the equipment, and catching the grand prize tagged fish, the package more than doubles from $1 million to $2.2 million.
“Through our angler advocacy campaign, KeepAmericaFishing, we are proud to partner with Cabela’s to promote clean waters, minimize access restrictions and restore fish populations,” said Gordon Robertson, vice president of the American Sportfishing Association. “Programs like Wanna Go Fishing for Millions? promote sustainable fishing and encourage families to responsibly enjoy our nation’s waters.”
Winning is as easy as baiting a hook. Full details are available at www.cabelas.com/fishformillions or at any Cabela’s retail store. Anglers need to pre-register on the website and hit their local lakes between May 14 and July 14 for their chance at millions.
Local waters that have been stocked with prize-winning tags will be announced via a special insiders’ email to contest registrants on May 10. The list of lakes goes public on May 14, via the official website. All prize winners will be announced online after July 14.

FISHING LICENSES DOLLARS MAKE KANSAS ANGLING GREAT

License purchase means more angling opportunity
PRATT — Spring is a time of renewal, anticipation, and respite from a long winter. But for anglers, spring means just one thing: the fish are biting somewhere. April, May, and June are the best months to fish in Kansas, and fishing opportunities have never been better. Anglers preparing for another great year must remember their most important piece of equipment — a fishing license.

Not only is a fishing license required for all resident anglers age 16 through 64 and all nonresidents 16 and older, but money from Kansas fishing license purchases goes directly to supporting the management of Kansas’ fisheries. The following projects were made possible by Kansas fishing license dollars supporting the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in 2010:

• access to 1,500 acres of private ponds and 90 miles of streams through the Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats program (F.I.S.H.);
• fishing rights through the Community Fisheries Assistance Program to almost 240 community-owned waters, removing additional local fees to fish these waters;
• fisheries law enforcement resources;
• fight against the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels, white perch, and Asian carp;
• sampling and research to improve the state’s fisheries resources;
• introduction of fishing to more than 10,000 kids at KDWP fishing clinics and derbies;
• a mobile aquarium exhibit that displayed live Kansas fish to more than 150,000 people;
• four fish hatcheries and maintenance of facilities at 40 state fishing lakes;
• stocking of more than 150,000 rainbow trout, providing winter fishing opportunities;
• 138,000 catfish added to urban waters for close-to-home angling; and
• more than 82,000,000 sport fish stocked in Kansas reservoirs, state fishing lakes, and community lakes.

High-quality fishing is just a lure’s throw away from just about anywhere in Kansas today. To learn where all of these great fishing opportunities are located, pick up a 2011 Fishing Atlas at the nearest license vendor or download it online at www.fishks.org. While at this website, get all the inside information by checking out the 2011 Fishing Forecast, view weekly updated fishing reports, and sign up for fisheries biologist newsletters.

Purchase of a Kansas fishing license helps keep Kansas fishing outstanding, and renewing a license is more convenient than ever. Just visitwww1.ks.wildlifelicense.com, phone 1-800-918-2877, or stop by any local sporting goods retailer.