HOW TO FIND A FISHING HOLE THIS SUMMER

Finding a fishing hot spot in Kansas this summer is easier than you think

PRATT ­– If you’ve ever been fishing, you know there are a multitude of questions that can

flutter through an angler’s mind – why were the fish biting yesterday and not today? Did I put the right line on? Should I use a chartreuse or white spinner bait? All of these are valid questions, but where to fish shouldn’t be one of them. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has several tools available to help make your day on the water as successful as possible.

By visiting ksoutdoors.com, and clicking “Fishing,” anglers can access four invaluable resources that will give any angler an edge this summer, including: the 2014 Fishing Forecast, 2014 Fishing Atlas, up-to-date fishing reports, and stocking records.

2014 FISHING FORECAST

The 2014 Fishing Forecast uses data gathered from sampling efforts of public waters during annual lake monitoring, and because of this, anglers can rest assured they are receiving the best possible information on where to fish and what to fish for. In addition to what species of fish can be caught at any given body of water, the forecast also includes tables with Density Ratings, Preferred Ratings, and Lunker Ratings, as well as information on the Biggest Fish sampled, Biologist’s Ratings, and a Three-Year Average of popular species.

2014 FISHING ATLAS

The 2014 Fishing Atlas is a 60-page compilation of detailed, easy-to-read maps, making it a must-have for any angler. In addition to maps of public waters, anglers can also find maps of Fishing Impoundment and Stream Habitats (F.I.S.H.) waters, Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP) leased properties, and lakes deemed as Family Friendly Facilities (FFF).

FISHING REPORTS

If you’re looking for the most up-to-date information on a specific body of water, fishing reports are the way to go. Compiled and entered in by KDWPT field staff, each week these fishing reports share everything from fishing success and water temperature, to lake levels and other pertinent information for that specific location. Anglers can even find out what baits and lures are catching the most fish.

STOCKING RECORDS

To improve fishing opportunities in urban areas where the demand for fish exceeds the supply, the Department created an urban fish stocking program. Seventy-seven lakes currently are stocked with 3/4- to 1 1/2-pound channel catfish, hybrid sunfish, and wipers as often as every two weeks from April through September. If you live in Atchison, Butler, Douglas, Finney, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lyon , Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Reno, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, or Wyandotte county, you have an urban lake near you. These are great locations for a quick family fishing trip. Just throw the gear in the car and make the short drive to the nearest designated urban fishing lake. Click on the “Urban Fishing Program” link under “Special Fishing Programs For You” at ksoutdoors.com for stocking records and more information.

With a little time and research, anglers can experience truly one-of-a-kind public fishing on Kansas’ some 24 reservoirs, 40 state fishing lakes, 200 community lakes, and several streams and rivers – you just have to know where to look.

2012 KANSAS HUNTING ATLAS COMING SOON

Atlas locates all Walk-In Hunting Access areas and public wildlife areas

PRATT — Want hunting access to one million acres of private land? The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) provides just that and more in the 2012 Kansas Hunting Atlas. This essential hunting tool includes maps showing locations of Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) areas and public wildlife areas and will be available online at the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, the week of Aug. 27. Click “Hunting/Where to Hunt in Kansas” to find a link to the document. Printed copies of the atlas will be available in late August or early September at KDWPT offices and hunting license vendors around the state.

The atlas provides dozens of full-page maps covering the entire state. Online visitors can view and print the complete atlas or select specific maps. Hunters can also download maps to GPS units for easy navigation. Each map includes an index listing the game species most likely to occur on properties listed.

For information on hunting seasons and regulations, copies of the 2012 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available at KDWPT offices and license vendors the first week in September, but hunters can view or download the complete publication from the KDWPT website after the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission meeting Aug. 23. Type “Hunting Regulations” in the search box at the department’s homepage or click “Hunting/Hunting Regulations.

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MAY IS BUSIEST MONTH FOR KANSAS ANGLERS

May 17, 2012
KDWPT programs enhance fishing opportunity statewide
PRATT — May is the busiest month for Kansas anglers. Most sport fish species are in shallow water — some just done spawning and others just getting ready. All are more accessible to anglers and easier to catch now than at other times of the year. A look at state records and the Master Angler Award program provides more evidence.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) issues Master Angler Award certificates to applying anglers who catch fish as long or longer than minimum lengths set for each species (see KDWPT website or the 2012 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary for minimum lengths and applications). Of the more than 200 certificates that are issued each year, more than 30 percent are caught in May. And 30 percent of the fish species listed as Kansas state records were caught during the month of May. For more information, look on the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, under “Fishing/Special Fishing Programs for You/Master Angler Award Program.”
Other KDWPT programs help anglers catch more fish. Under the Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP), the agency uses matching funds from federal excise taxes on fishing equipment and motor boat fuel to lease fishing rights to nearly 240 community lakes statewide, removing fishing and boating fees for anglers on approximately 13,000 acres of water. The Urban Fishing Program stocks 80 lakes with 3/4- to 1 1/2-pound channel catfish, hybrid sunfish, and wipers as often as every two weeks from April through September. All cities with available public fishing waters and populations larger than 40,000 are served by this program.
A rising star among KDWPT fishing programs is the Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitat (F.I.S.H.) program. The program enrolls 1,500 acres of ponds and more than 90 miles of streams on private land for public fishing access. The program includes ponds and lakes ranging from 5 acres to more than 100 acres, as well as access to stream reaches formerly unavailable to the public. F.I.S.H. sites are open to public access from March 1 through October 31. The 2012 Kansas Fishing Atlas, available wherever licenses are sold, provides detailed maps showing all public fishing waters in Kansas, including CFAP and F.I.S.H.
In addition to these programs, KDWPT conducts numerous fishing clinics for youngsters throughout the state, and several how-to fishing videos may be found on the KDWPT website under “Fishing/How to Fish.”
Finding the ideal fishing location is simple. Go to the KDWPT website and click "Fishing" at the top of the page, then “Where to Fish in Kansas” 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 KDWPT 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.
For information on fishing prospects, lake ratings for all sportfish may be found under Fishing Forecast. Anglers can report their own experiences and read those of others on the department's Public Fishing Reports page.
KDWPT is participating in Cabela’s Wanna Go Fishing for Millions? contest by tagging fish in the following Kansas reservoirs: Milford, Glen Elder, Cheney, Clinton, El Dorado, Cedar Bluff and Hillsdale. The competition began May 5 and gives anglers a chance to win as much as $2 million in cash and more than $225,000 in additional prizes by catching tagged fish in select lakes across 19 states. Anglers must register online at www.cabelas.com/fishformillions to participate in the contest. In addition, anglers must comply with Kansas fishing regulations and licensing and permit requirements.
If these programs are not enough to entice you to go fishing, check out Kansas Free Fishing Days, June 2-3. 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 2-3, everyone gets to fish for free, making this the ideal time to introduce youngsters to a healthy, challenging pastime that offers a lifetime of pleasure. So get out and enjoy the weather — fish Kansas!

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FINDING DUCKS IN DRY WEATHER

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KDWPT waterfowl reports help hunters even when water is scarce
PRATT — Duck seasons in the High Plains and Low Plains Early zone are in full swing, and it won’t be long until hunters are able to pursue their favorite waterfowl statewide. The good news is that record numbers of waterfowl should be migrating through the state, but drought has persisted throughout the summer and into early fall, making Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) waterfowl management areas more important than ever.

KDWPT offers waterfowl reports on its website,www.kdwpt.state.ks.us. Reports on waterfowl numbers, migration status, habitat conditions, hunting success, and phone and email contacts are provided for major public waterfowl hunting areas in the state’s five regions. Waterfowl numbers at these areas can change overnight, so it is recommended that hunters phone area offices for the latest information.

Hunters should note that duck season does not begin in much of central and eastern Kansas until Oct. 29, and not until Nov. 5 in the Southeast Zone (new this year). Consult the KDWPT website or the 2011 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Summary for details on dates and zone boundaries.

Peak migration is still far north of Kansas, but hunters are finding ducks in many areas. As of mid-September to mid-October, KDWPT wildlife areas list the following reports:

Region 1 (northwest Kansas)

• Cedar Bluff — fair hunting conditions but no flooded shoreline vegetation and about 200 ducks;
• Glen Elder — fair hunting conditions, exposed mud flats, and approximately 3,000 ducks;
• Jamestown — good hunting conditions with approximately 500 ducks;
• Lovewell — reservoir 1.3 feet below conservation pool with very few ducks at this time;
• Norton — good hunting conditions with some flooded vegetation and about 600 ducks at this time;
• Smoky Hill/Kanopolis — poor hunting conditions and only about 100 ducks;
• Webster — water level is about 6.1 feet below conservation pool with only a few ducks; and
• Wilson — good flooded vegetation and several hundred puddle ducks.

Region 2 (northeast Kansas)

• Benedictine — good habitat conditions with about 500 teal and some bigger ducks;
• Clinton — low water and poor hunting conditions with few ducks;
• Hillsdale — low water and fewer than 100 ducks;
• Jeffery Energy Center — poor hunting conditions and few ducks;
• Milford — habitat and food resources scarce in most wetland areas with few ducks on the area;
• Perry — fair to good hunting conditions with about 640 ducks; and
• Tuttle Creek — 400-500 ducks but marshes will be full at opener.

Region 3 (southwest Kansas)

• Cheyenne Bottoms — pools 3B and 4B have been flooded, and 20,000-30,000 are reported;
• Isabel — main lake full but others dry with about 50 teal and gadwall; and
• Texas Lake — good hunting conditions with about 300 ducks.

Region 4 (southcentral Kansas)

• Byron Walker — very dry hunting conditions with no ducks reported at this time;
• Cheney — poor hunting conditions with about 45 teal reported as of Sept. 23;
• Council Grove — fair hunting conditions but few ducks so far;
• El Dorado — poor hunting conditions with no ducks ;
• Kaw — few ducks and poor hunting conditions;
• McPherson Valley Wetlands — fair habitat but little water and few ducks;
• Slate Creek — no ducks and poor hunting conditions; and
• Marion — poor hunting conditions and no ducks.

Region 5 (southeast Kansas)

• Elk City — hunting conditions fair but few ducks as of Sept. 20;
• Fall River — good hunting conditions with about 100 ducks as of Sept. 19;
• John Redmond — poor hunting conditions as of Sept. 8 with few ducks;
• Marais des Cygnes — should have fair hunting conditions by late October, 2,000-5,000 ducks reported;
• Melvern — fair hunting conditions but few ducks as of Sept. 22;
• Neosho — fair habit conditions with approximately 650 ducks; and
• Toronto — good hunting conditions but fewer than 100 teal as of Sept 19.

Much more detail is available on the waterfowl reports pages for each of these areas, and as the weather cools and ducks begin moving south in greater numbers, many areas reporting poor conditions could turn into waterfowl hotspots if they receive rainfall. Visit these pages regularly to keep abreast of water conditions and migrations as they unfold. Duck season dates and zones include the following:

• High Plains Zone — Oct. 8-Jan. 2, 2012, and Jan. 21-29, 2012;
• Low Plains Early Zone — Oct. 8-Dec. 4, and Dec. 17-Jan. 1, 2012;
• Low Plains Late Zone — Oct. 29-Jan. 1, 2012, and Jan. 21-29, 2012; and
• Low Plains Southeast Zone — Nov. 5-Jan. 8, 2012, and Jan. 21-29 2012.

Canada goose season (includes Brant) runs Oct. 29-Nov. 6 and Nov. 9-Feb. 12, 2012. White-fronted goose season runs Oct. 29-Jan. 1, 2012, and Feb. 4-12, 2012. Light goose season runs Oct. 29-Nov. 6 and Nov. 9-Feb. 12, 2012, and a light goose conservation order allows hunting through April 30, 2012.

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