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Changes Coming for Kansas Rainbow Trout Anglers
As the upcoming trout season approaches, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is using information largely based on interviews conducted with licensed fishermen to make updates to a nearly 30-year-old program. These on-site interviews were held at 25 different fishing locations across the state in early 2023.
KDWP’s Fisheries Division staff will implement the following for Kansas’ 2023-2024 trout season:
- Trout fishing waters will be stocked, and the season will begin one month later so as not to compromise fish health in warmer water often experienced in November. The start of the trout fishing season will be December 1
- Each trout fishing destination will be stocked during the times when it’s most fished. (as opposed to season-wide stockings at various times)
- Trout season will end on March 31 (as opposed to April 15), as only three percent of respondents indicated they fish for trout most in April
- KDWP will stock less often but with higher densities of trout – an indicated preference of anglers surveyed
KDWP plans to stock 30 bodies of water this fall with over 62,000 pounds of rainbow trout. This will provide fishermen with plenty of wintertime fishing opportunities.
“The trout program is something we’ve been happy to support in Kansas since 1994,” said Jeff Conley, KDWP Fisheries program specialist. “However, over the years, we’ve made very few changes. This new format gives us the ability to continue the program during its most popular months, at higher stocking densities, while managing increasing costs for the fish, so the feedback received will definitely make us all more efficient. All fish stocked will be a catchable size, but a few lunkers will also be added to give anglers extra opportunity to catch a trophy,” added Conley. “We can’t wait to see who catches them.”
To purchase a trout permit, visit GoOutdoorsKansas.com, download the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app, or visit a license vendor nearest you.
For more information on trout fishing in Kansas, click HERE.
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