KANSAS WILDLIFE, PARKS AND TOURISM COMMISSION MOVES TO PROTECT KANSAS WATERS

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Wild-caught bait may only be used in waters where caught; other restrictions passed
TOPEKA – During a special public hearing Tuesday evening, Dec. 6, Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commissioners acted on regulations governing the use and movement of wild-caught live bait fish and the transport of fish from waters designated as having aquatic nuisance species (ANS) present.
The new regulations change the way Kansas anglers collect and use live bait fish and were approved to curtail the spread of invasive aquatic species — particularly Asian carp, zebra mussels, and white perch — in Kansas lakes and streams. These and other aquatic nuisance species are often spread accidently by people using the state’s lakes and rivers.
The Commission listened to public comments and considered various options before taking action. Commissioners voted on regulations that will take effect Jan. 1, 2012 and will 1) allow anglers to use wild-caught live bait fish only in the pool of a lake or impoundment where taken; 2) prohibit anglers from transporting wild-caught bait fish taken from a flowing stream or river across any dam or natural barrier; 3) prohibit anglers from transporting any live fish upon departure from any ANS-designated body of water; 4) prohibit releasing any fish in department waters (unless the fish was caught from the water into which it is being released), navigable publicly-owned rivers, and federal reservoirs; and 4) require that vessels being removed from all waters of the state have livewells and bilges drained and drain plugs removed before transport on any public highway.
Aquatic nuisance species are animals and plants not native to Kansas that can threaten lake and river ecology, harm native or desirable species, and interfere with the state’s economy. Negative impacts on Kansas waters include, but are not limited to, the following:

• diminished food supplies and degraded habitat for other species;
• reduced numbers and variety of desirable fish;
• reduced fishing and other recreational opportunities;
• lowered property values and decreased quality of municipal water sources;
• fouled water lines, clogged intakes, burned out pumps, damaged power generating facilities, and decreased water system efficiency; and
• increased risk of flooding due to overcrowded biomass and clogging of lake outlets.

Biologists have identified the movement of wild-caught bait fish and water as a significant factor in the spread of these dangerous species. With the passage of these regulations, anglers will be restricted to using wild-caught bait fish caught only from the waters where they are fishing or using live bait fish purchased from certified bait dealers.
Anglers will not be able to transport any live fish from waters listed in the Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary(available wherever licenses are sold) as harboring ANS species. And finally, all boaters will be required to remove drain plugs and drain livewells and bilges before transporting vessels on public highways from waters of the state.
For details on aquatic nuisance species, including the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan, go online to www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/content/search?SearchText=ans .

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SPECIAL WILDLIFE, PARKS AND TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DEC. 6

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Commissioners to set regulations on take, use, and movement of bait fish or minnows
TOPEKA — On Tuesday, Dec. 6, the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a special meeting at the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Region 2 Office (basement conference room), 300 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka. The meeting was called to cover possible regulation changes that would go in effect in 2012 if approved, regarding the take, use, movement, and release of bait fish and minnows.

In addition to bait fish regulations, commissioners will also vote on a regulation change that would eliminate the second motor vehicle permit for Kansas state parks. The public is invited to attend the meeting and provide input.

The meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m., and time will be allowed for general public comment on non-agenda items, followed by a public hearing on the following regulations:

• KAR 115-2-2 — motor vehicle permit fees;
• KAR 115-7-3 — fish; taking and use of bait fish or minnows;
• KAR 115-7-6 — fishing; bait;
• KAR 115-7-10 — fishing; special provisions;
• KAR 115-8-6 — fishing, fish bait, and seining;
• KAR 115-8-12 — stocking or releasing of wildlife; and
• KAR 115-30-13 — removal of vessels from waters of the state.

The outcome of some of these regulations will result in one of three changes regarding the use of bait fish: 1) wild-caught bait fish may be used as live bait only within the impoundment or stream where taken; 2) wild-caught bait fish may be used as live bait only within the impoundment or stream where taken, except that green sunfish, bluegill, and yellow and black bullhead may be used in waters other than where they are taken; or 3) no change in the regulations. Live bait fish purchased from a licensed bait dealer may be used under any of these options.

Live video and audio streaming of this meeting will be broadcast through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us.

If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at 620-672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2012, at Kansas Wesleyan University (Hauptli Student Center), 100 East Claflin Ave. in Salina.

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ANGLERS TACKLE FALL FISHING

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Lull between hunting seasons a great time to be on the water
PRATT — Before long, the Kansas hunting seasons will be in full swing, but there’s still time to enjoy some excellent fishing. There’s a lull after the fast action of the opening dove, early teal, and youth deer and duck seasons, but avid outdoorsman are still itching to get out. This is a time of year when many take advantage of hungry fish, feeding continually in preparation for a long winter. Fall is a great time to be outdoors.

In the state’s larger lakes and reservoirs, gizzard shad are the preferred prey of most sport fish. In the fall, young-of-the-year shad are about 2-3 inches long, and a white or chrome, fat-bodied crankbait is the perfect imitation of a gizzard shad. Cast a deep- or medium-diving crankbait along rocky points and rip-rapped shorelines, and retrieve it quickly, so it gets near the bottom and bounces off the rocks. A deep-diving crankbait may be the best choice even when fishing relatively shallow water. The lure’s long lip deflects off rocks and other snags, and this action can trigger strikes. If the lure does hang up, give it some slack, and it will often float free. Using light monofilament or a small-diameter braided line will allow a crankbait to dive deeper.

Later in fall, when water temperatures cool to the low 50s or high 40s, it’s time to catch Kansas crappie. Reservoir crappie congregate in large schools over deep brushpiles and creek channel dropoffs at this time. Jigs or jigging spoons fished vertically in 12-25 feet of water are most effective. If too many small crappie are biting, try a larger jig with a 2- or 2 1/2-inch shad-type plastic body. The larger bait will more closely resemble shad and may discourage smaller fish. When concentrations of crappie and white bass are found, use landmarks or GPS to mark their location. If the state experiences a frigid winter and safe ice forms, you can return to the spots that held fish before freeze-up and catch them through the ice.

Even though autumn weather may be mild, always wear more layers of clothing than you think necessary when fall fishing. No matter how warm it feels on land, it will be much cooler on the water, especially if the wind blows. And don’t forget to wear a life jacket; it will keep you warm and may save your life.

KDWPT BRINGS OUTDOORS TO STATE FAIR SEPT. 9-18

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Aquaria, taxidermy, cabin, tourism information highlight exhibits this year

PRATT — The 2011 Kansas State Fair — Sept. 9-18 — offers a wide variety of sights, sounds, food, music, and other entertainment, but the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) brings a different kind of wild outdoor and travel experience to the fair. The KDWPT exhibit, located in the Eisenhower Building (north of the administration building and train station), gives fairgoers a chance to see replicas of state record fish and deer mounts, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) display, aquaria teeming with dozens of fish species, and live snakes. Natural resource officers and staff from KDWPT education centers will be on hand to answer questions.

KDWPT’s mobile aquarium will set up next to Gate 9, on the southeast corner of the fairgrounds. The 40-foot long aquarium holds 3,200 gallons and displays many Kansas sportfish and nongame fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass (wiper), bluegill, green sunfish, longear sunfish, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, buffalo, common carp, walleye, sauger, saugeye, redear sunfish, black crappie, white crappie, longnose gar, spotted gar, and freshwater drum.

Viewers have a special chance to see native live fish up close, and fisheries biologists are on hand to answer questions and demonstrate fishing techniques from the aquarium’s casting platform.

KDWPT also has a cabin on the fairgrounds, near Lake Talbot. This cabin is much like those available for rent at Kansas state parks and wildlife areas, and visitors may enter a drawing for free cabin weekends. Governor Sam Brownback will be on hand to draw the lucky winners for free weekend cabin stays on Thursday morning, Sept. 15. More than 90 cabins are now available at 20 state parks and five wildlife areas, offering visitors comfortable, convenient accommodations.

Kansas Tourism and KANSAS! magazine will share a booth in the Pride of Kansas Building (located west of the administration building). Visitors to the booth will have the chance to pick up a free copy of the 2011-12 Official Kansas Visitors Guide, sign up to win a basket of Kansas goodies, subscribe to KANSAS! and more. Most days a representative from a “Spotlight Community” will be present in the booth with information on what there is to see and do in their Kansas community. Fair attendees can learn more about products, places and things covered in KANSAS! from special guests who will be featured in the booth.

For more information on the KDWPT State Fair exhibit, phone 620-672-5911. For information about the Kansas Tourism exhibit, phone 785-296-2281.

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