PADDLEFISH SPAWNING SEASON OFFERS BIG ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES

Warmer temperatures give way to a special snagging season

PRATT ­– A much-anticipated season for Kansas anglers draws near as paddlefish begin their annual spring spawning run. From Mar. 15-May 15, paddlefish permit-holders can snag up to six of these gentle giants from designated areas on the Neosho and Marais des Cygnes Rivers.

Paddlefish permits, which include six carcass tags, are $12.50 for anglers 16 and older, and $7.50 for youth 15 and younger.

Paddlefish may be taken inside Chetopa and Burlington city parks on the Neosho River, on the Neosho River at Iola downstream from the dam to the city limits, on the Marais des Cygnes River below Osawatomie Dam downstream to a posted boundary, and on the Marais des Cygnes River on the upstream boundary of Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area downstream to the Kansas-Missouri border.

Paddlefish may be snagged using pole and line with not more than two single or treble hooks. Barbless hooks must be used in Chetopa City Park.

Catch and release is allowed in Burlington, Chetopa, and Iola except that once attached to a stringer, a fish becomes part of the daily creel limit. The daily creel limit for paddlefish is two, and the season limit is six. On the Missouri River (season: March 15-April 30), there is a 24-inch minimum length limit. On the Marias des Cygnes River there is a 34-inch minimum length limit.

Immediately upon harvest, anglers must sign a carcass tag, record the county, date and time of harvest, and attach the tag to the lower jaw of the paddlefish.

Paddlefish caught out of season or in non-snagging areas may be kept only if they are hooked in the mouth.

During this special season, nonsport fish (carp, drum, grass carp, threadfin and gizzard shad, goldfish, gar, suckers including carpsucker and buffalo, goldeye, and bowfin) may also be snagged in waters posted open to paddlefish snagging. There are no limits on nonsport fish.

For information, consult your 2013 Kansas Fishing Regulation Summary, or visit www.ksoutdoors.comand click “Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Paddlefish-Snagging.”

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PADDLEFISH SNAGGING SEASON OPENS MARCH 15

March 8, 2012
Anglers should be aware of rules, areas open; season runs through May 15
PRATT — Many anglers in eastern Kansas look forward to March 15, when the Kansas paddlefish season opens, running through May 15 at specific locations. Once water temperatures near 60 degrees, paddlefish make the annual spawning run. Some snagging areas, such as the Neosho River in Chetopa, require a rise in the river level for paddlefish to be present, so significant rainfall is essential.

Paddlefish may be taken inside Chetopa and Burlington city parks on the Neosho River, on the Neosho River at Iola downstream from the dam to the city limits, on the Marais des Cygnes River below Osawatomie Dam downstream to a posted boundary, and on the Marais des Cygnes River on the upstream boundary of Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area downstream to the Kansas-Missouri border.

Paddlefish may be snagged using pole and line with not more than two single or treble hooks. Barbless hooks must be used in Chetopa City Park. Catch and release is allowed in Burlington, Chetopa, and Iola except that once attached to a stringer, a fish becomes part of the daily creel limit. The daily creel limit for paddlefish is two, and the season limit is six. On the Missouri River (season: March 15-April 30), there is a 24-inch minimum length limit. There is a 34-inch minimum length limit on Marias des Cygnes River.

A paddlefish permit — $12.50 for those 16 and older, $7.50 for youth 15 and younger — includes six carcass tags. Immediately upon attaching a fish to a stringer, the angler must sign a carcass tag; record the county, date, and time of harvest; and attach the carcass tag to the lower jaw of the paddlefish taken. Anglers must stop snagging once the daily creel limit of two paddlefish is reached.

Paddlefish caught outside the paddlefish season or in non-snagging areas may be kept if they are hooked in the mouth only.

Nonsport fish (carp, drum, grass carp, threadfin and gizzard shad, goldfish, gar, suckers including carpsucker and buffalo, goldeye, and bowfin) may also be snagged in waters posted open to snagging during the paddlefish season. There are no limits on nonsport fish.

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