ENJOY RIVER TROUT FISHING AT WEBSTER

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Wildlife and Parks stocks rainbow trout in river above Webster Reservoir
STOCKTON — To enhance the Kansas trout fishing experience, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) stocked 500 rainbow trout in the South Fork Solomon River above Webster Reservoir on March 9. Flows in the river have been adequate, and anglers should enjoy this exciting challenge, which area biologists provide whenever the river flows well. As with last year, only one site will be stocked; however, it has been extended to 1 mile upstream of the low-water crossing and 1/2 mile downstream of the crossing.

Wading and drifting power bait and salmon eggs into holes and under logs, brushpiles, and other habitat is a highly effective method for fishing river rainbow trout. Artificial lures — such as spinners, small spoons, and flies — are also very effective, and running spinners in current near woody habitat often yields a full creel. To use this method, cast a spinner downstream and work it into position under and around prime habitat, then hold it in place and let the current work the spinner blade. Fly fishing can also be productive, especially with flashy patterns in streamer-type flies.

This stretch of the South Fork Solomon River between the Damar Blacktop and Webster Reservoir is classified as a Type 2 trout water, meaning that during trout season — Oct. 15-April 15 — a trout permit is required for anglers fishing for or possessing trout. The exception is that youth younger than 16 may fish without a permit but are limited to a daily creel limit of two trout, or they can keep five per day if they possess a permit. In addition, all residents 16 through 64 years of age and nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid fishing license.

Anglers fishing for or possessing only species other than trout in this stretch of river during trout season are not required to have a trout permit. All anglers may fish for and possess trout without a permit once the season ends April 15, but the five-fish creel limit still applies.

For more information, phone district fisheries biologist Mark A. Shaw, at 785-425-6775.

Missouri Trout Fishing

11TH ANNUAL YOUTH TURKEY HUNT AT COUNCIL GROVE APRIL 1-2

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Young hunters ages 11 through 16 invited; registration deadline March 18
COUNCIL GROVE — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) — in cooperation with area chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — will conduct the Council Grove 11th Annual Spring Youth Turkey Hunt on April 2 near Council Grove. Youth must be age 11 through 16 to qualify. The event is part of KDWP's "Pass It On" program, designed to recruit young hunters.

This year’s event will provide participating hunters (age 11 through 16) with an opportunity to become involved not only in the hunt but also its preparation. The event will begin on Friday, April 1, at 4:30 p.m. at Council Grove Reservoir. A brief informational meeting and a meet-and-greet session for all volunteers and participants will be followed by a complimentary meal. After the meal, participants may pattern shotguns, then accompany guides to hunt locations to scout for the following morning’s hunt. At 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, the group will meet for breakfast, and the hunts will conclude at 11:30 a.m., when participants will enjoy a free lunch.

“Kansas turkey hunting prospects are excellent,” says Council Grove Wildlife Area manager Brent Konen, organizer of the event, “and the excitement of the spring hunt can spark a passion for the outdoors many young Kansans have never experienced.”

Lodging is available in nearby Council Grove, and camping is available at Council Grove Reservoir. Registration is required by March 18. For more information or to register, phone Brent Konen at 620-767-5900.

FISHING ATLAS INDISPENSIBLE ANGLING AID

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Atlas including maps of all public-access fishing areas now online; printed copies shipping March 9
PRATT ­­— Warmer March weather is welcome news for Kansas anglers, and more good news may be found in the 2011 Kansas Fishing Atlas, now available for viewing and download from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. The maps in this atlas pinpoint a variety of public fishing areas, including all federal reservoirs, state fishing lakes, river access, and community lakes. Fishing Impoundment and Stream Habitats (F.I.S.H.) waters are included, as well. F.I.S.H. waters are privately-owned ponds or streams KDWP has leased and opened to public fishing. F.I.S.H. sites are numbered in red on each map.

To find fishing areas, consult the map legend, then locate corresponding color codes on each map. With this atlas, anglers can locate just about any type of fishing desired.

To locate the 2011 Kansas Fishing Atlas, click the above link or go to the KDWP website and click "Fishing/Where to Fish in Kansas/Fishing Atlas." Printed copies began shipping March 9 and will be available at most KDWP offices and license vendors late this week or the beginning of next.

Combined with KDWP Fishing Reports and Fishing Forecast, also found on the agency’s website under “Fishing,” the 2011 Kansas Fishing Atlas completes every angler’s tackle box.

KANSAS FOREST SERVICE SEEDLING DEADLINE CORRECTION

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Order deadline first Monday in May
MANHATTAN — On Feb. 16, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) posted a news release promoting the Kansas Forest Service’s (KFS) Conservation Tree Planting Program, which offers the public tree and shrub seedlings for use in conservation plantings.

That release erroneously stated that the deadline for orders was March 7, the first Monday in March. However, the correct deadline for orders is May 2, the first Monday in May.

KDWP asks that anyone distributing information make sure that the correct deadline for seedling orders — the first Monday in May — is used.

For more detailed information or to order seedlings, go online tohttps://www.kansasforests.org or phone toll-free, 1-888-740-8733.

EMPORIA TO HOST KANSAS HUNTING AND FISHING EXPO APRIL 2-3

Second for year event promises to be bigger and better than first
EMPORIA — The Second Annual Kansas Hunting and Fishing Expo will bring the outdoors inside the Flinthills Mall, 1656 Industrial Road in Emporia, on April 2 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and April 3 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Although targeted for youth, the event is open to anyone interested in a fun-filled weekend designed to promote the great outdoors and inspire youth to carry on traditions that sportsmen and women from across the nation currently enjoy.

“We want to make this show bigger and better than last year,” says event organizer Tonya Carson. “We will be offering numerous events for children, including a wild turkey shoot, an archery competition, Laser Shot and jet ski simulators provided by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, wildlife photos provided by Walgreens, a kids craft corner, the National Rifle Association’s Eddie Eagle program, and much more. Adult guests can enjoy seminars throughout Saturday and Sunday.”

Seminars include a grilling demonstration, a concealed carry class offered during expo hours [$100 per person, contact Flinthills Mall to register], and certified Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young scorers showing how to score big game and turkey mounts. “Anyone may bring a mount to display,” Carson explains, “and the public will have a chance to guess scores and earn prizes.”

Four door prizes will be given away, including a grill from Sears, a youth camouflage Matthews bow from JC Construction, a tent from Budweiser, and a gun from the Kansas Hunting and Fishing Expo. Throughout the day, there will be drawings for more donated prizes.

Vendor booths and sponsorships are still available. To learn more about this event or for information on becoming a sponsor or vendor, phone Carson at785-366-3565 or email tstroda@hotmail.com, or go to Facebook and look under Southeastern Kansas Hunting and Fishing Expo.

The 2011 Southeast Kansas Hunting and Fishing Expo is sponsored by the Flinthills Mall, KISS 103.1, 98.3 Coyote Country, 97.7 DAWG, the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, and WIBW Channel 13 News.

TEACHERS: 2010 STATE-FISH ART CONTEST DEADLINE MARCH 31

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Teaching tool for grades 4 through 12 combines art, writing, and conservation
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — Wildlife Forever has announced that the deadline for entry in its 13th Annual State-Fish Art Contest is March 31. This interdisciplinary conservation education program uses art to spark the imagination of students and foster a sense of discovery of the natural world. The State-Fish Art Project provides valuable lessons about fish and the need for conservation of aquatic resources. The program has two primary components: 1) the comprehensive State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, "Fish ON!," for students in grades 4-12, available free of charge at www.statefishart.com, and 2) the national art contest which serves as an outreach initiative and showcase for youth in the arts.

Through the art contest, students across Kansas and the United States have the opportunity to win local and national recognition and prizes while learning about their state fish and the conservation of aquatic habitats.

To enter, young artists usually create an illustration of their state fish, but artwork of any official state fish is eligible. Kansas entrants usually portray the channel catfish. A written composition on its behavior, habitat, and conservation is also required.

State-Fish Art Contest entries are separated into three school grade categories: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Winning contestants from every state are honored in each category. All contest winners receive a gift certificate for art supplies, as well as other prizes. Winning designs will also be featured on the official State-Fish Art website, www.statefishart.com.

A talented artist in grades 10-12 will be selected as the national “Best of Show” winner and receive a $2,500 tuition scholarship to attend The Art Institutes International Minnesota (Ai Minnesota). The first-runner up nationally in grades 10-12 will receive a $1,000 tuition scholarship to Ai Minnesota. One “gallery-quality” winning entry will be used as the design for the 2010 Art of Conservation Stamp, and a national "Best of Show" award will be presented to one contestant in each age group.

Winning artwork will be on display at the State Fish Art Expo at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas, June 24-25. Winners who attend the Expo will receive a special rod and reel.

Parents and teachers should visit the State-Fish Art website for complete details and to download a free lesson plan. Entries must be postmarked by March 31. In mid-April, a panel of judges composed of wildlife artists, outdoor writers, fisheries specialists, and national celebrities select one winning artwork for each category from each state. The winning entries will be displayed at the annual Expo and on the contest website.

For more information, write State Fish Art Contest, Wildlife Forever, 2700 Freeway Blvd., #1000, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430, or phone 763-253-0222.

Family-Outdoors

DON’T FORGET WILDLIFE AS TAX DEADLINE APPROACHES

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State income tax return Chickadee Checkoff box helps conserve all wildlife
PRATT — Most people enjoy opening the mailbox, but in January and February, a few not-so-welcome communications intrude on this simple pleasure — tax forms. While few people look forward to tax time, the Kansas State Income Tax form provides everyone with the opportunity feel good about filing when they check the Chickadee Checkoff box. Checking this box is the easy way for Kansans to do something for Kansas wildlife because it gives a portion of returns or any additional contribution to all wildlife, not just birds.

Since 1981, the Chickadee Checkoff Program has been at the forefront of endangered species protection, habitat protection, and wildlife appreciation projects in Kansas. The program has sponsored many popular projects, such as the Nursing Home Bird Feeder Program and Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites (OWLS) at Kansas schools. OWLS has allowed the development of outdoor laboratories at more than 200 schools across the state. Other programs sponsored by the Chickadee Checkoff include the Kansas Backyard Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Certification Program, the Bluebird Nest Box Project, the Songbird Bundle habitat planting, and surveying and protection of sensitive species. Protecting endangered species is a core program for the Chickadee Checkoff. Additionally, the Checkoff has served to document bald eagle nesting success and winter roosts in Kansas.

More than $4.2 million has been contributed to Chickadee Checkoff since 1981. With the help of the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants (KSCPA), the Chickadee Checkoff has enjoyed stable contributions of about $140,000 per year over the long term. It’s a relatively small amount that goes a long way, especially when used to match federal funds.

In 2011, look for the chickadee on your individual income tax form and help Kansas wildlife.

Smallmouth Streams of Missouri