Current Blue-Green Algae
Warnings and Advisories

Two Kansans in group
Bassmaster Elite Series Field Set For 2013

December 26, 2012 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The field for the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series is set. With 102 top professional anglers from 25 states and Japan, the lineup is the strongest ever and the largest since 2008.

The group contains 11 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Anglers of the Year (21 total titles), 11 Bassmaster Classic champions (17 Classic wins) and more than 200 B.A.S.S. tournament victories. Read Story

Kansas trout season provides great winter fishing and eating

New hunting/fishing licenses required in 2013 for Kansans 65-75

Tips for safe cold-weather boating

F.I.S.H. pays landowners to allow fishing access

Enrolled private waters can benefit from fish stocking and habitat management

November 15, 2012 - PRATT--The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s F.I.S.H. Program, which stands for Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats, was patterned after the very successful Walk-In Hunting Access Program with a goal of increasing public fishing opportunities in Kansas. First introduced to Kansas anglers and landowners in 1998, F.I.S.H. leases private waters from landowners for public fishing. Landowners participating in F.I.S.H. receive payments, and F.I.S.H. provides anglers with a place to fish while leaving the land in private ownership. The deadline for landowners to enroll for 2013 is December 15, 2012. Read Story

Two Kansans qualified for Classic

Final qualifier for 2013 Bassmaster Classic to be determined in less than a week

Nov. 1, 2012 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees, Feb. 22-24, will feature 53 of the best bass anglers in the world. Fifty-two of them have been identified. One is yet to be determined. Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira and Casey Scanlon of Lenexa qualified this year. Read Story

Zebra mussels found in Wyandotte County Lake

November 1, 2012 - EMPORIA—During regular monitoring efforts, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) officials discovered zebra mussel veligers (larval stage) in Wyandotte County Lake, which is located at Leavenworth Rd. and 92nd St. in Kansas City. Adult zebra mussels were found upon further investigation. Read Story

Logan City Lake only lake still on Blue-green algae warning list

McPherson State Fishing Lake and three others still on Advisory list

It's that time of the year again
Motorists beware: Deer on the move now

Kansas deer-vehicle collisions peak in mid-November

Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission approves hunting, fishing and park regulations

Kansas DHE issues Oct. 19 Blue-green algae notices

McPherson State Fishing Lake remains on Advisory list

MESU Bait catches AOY Champion Brent Chapman

October 18, 2012 - Rose Hill, KS-- Bassmaster Elite Angler of the Year Brent Chapman, a Kansas angler, is signing on to work with Kansas-based MESU Bait Company. Chapman started using their products during his AOY run. He liked the quality of their baits designed for tournament anglers and their reasonable prices. Read Story

Kansas trout season opens November 1, not October 15

First year for new trout season opening day

October 18, 2012 - PRATT—The 2012 trout season opens Nov. 1 when select waters across the state will be stocked with trout for the popular winter fishing activity. The trout season has traditionally opened Oct. 15 and closed April 15. However, in recent years, stockings in some waters were delayed because of warm weather. To avoid angler confusion, loss of trout and maintain efficient stocking schedules, the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission approved a Nov. 1 opening day beginning in 2011. Read Story

Fall bass sampling reveals Kansas fishing hotspots

Fisheries biologists sample lakes to learn about sport fish populations

October 18, 2012 - PRATT—Kansas bass anglers can get a sneak peek of where the best fishing hot spots are this year. The 2013 Kansas Fishing Forecast won’t be available until next March, but this fall’s test data on largemouth bass is already in. Read Story

KDHE updates Blue-Green Algae notices
Brown County State Fishing Lake and Lake Scott removed from list

October 12, 2012 - TOPEKA — On Oct. 11, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported the latest results from testing water samples for blue-green algae. The health advisory has been lifted at Brown County State Fishing Lake; Central Park Lake, Shawnee County; Centralia Lake, Nemaha County; Chisholm Creek Park Lake North, Sedgwick County; and Lake Scott State Park, Scott County. One lake, Hiawatha Lake in Brown County, has been downgraded from a Warning to an Advisory status. Read Story

Ballot question gives voters say on Kansas boat taxes
Amending state constitution would let lawmakers change how watercraft are classified, taxed

October 11, 2012 - TOPEKA – On November 6, Kansans will have an opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow the Kansas Legislature to change the way watercraft are taxed. For tax purposes, a watercraft is any boat powered by gasoline, diesel, electric, oars or sail, including sailboards, personal watercraft (jet skis), kayaks, and canoes. Read Story

2013 Bassmaster Classic Wild Card Tournament
will offer final shot at 2014 Classic

Oct. 9, 2012 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Top anglers who fail to qualify for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic had better save the dates Dec. 5-7, 2013. These three days represent their final shot at making the 2014 championship.

The Bassmaster Classic Wild Card event will host 175 anglers looking for redemption and a spot in the 2014 Classic, and will be held on a premier fishery to be announced at a later date. Read Story

Plenty of fishing regulations on the table as KWP&T Commission meets Oct. 18 at Fall River's Flink Oak - Public hearing starts at 7 p.m.

Oct. 4, 2012 - PRATT--The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing on Thursday, Oct. 18, at Flint Oak, 2639 Quail Rd., Fall River. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m., and the evening session will begin at 7 p.m. Read Story

Kansas fishing heats up as temperatures fall

Monster Blue Catfish certified as Kansas record
Beats old record by over eight pounds

September 27, 2012 - PRATT—After the required 30-day waiting period, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has officially recognized a 102.8-pound blue catfish as a new state record. Rob Stanley, of Olathe, caught the fish, which bests the former state record blue by more than 8 pounds. Read Story

Martens Edges Evers to Claim All-Star Title

Sept. 23, 2012 - DECATUR, Ill. — This one had it all — long runs, risky strategies, run-and-gun fishing and a dramatic save of a stranded competitor. In the end, Alabama’s Aaron Martens edged out Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers to win the 2012 Toyota Trucks All-Star championship. Read Story

Zebra Mussels found in Chase State Fishing Lake

Popular state fishing lake latest to be infested with aquatic nuisance species

Déjà Vu: Evers and DeFoe Leading All-Star Week

Sept. 20, 2012 - Decatur, Ill. — The second annual Toyota Trucks All-Star Week is shaping up a lot like the first one ended, with Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers and Tennessee’s Ott DeFoe sitting atop the leaderboard. After finishing second and first, respectively, at the inaugural All-Star Week in 2011, the two are poised to advance yet again. With one day to go before the 12-angler field is cut to the Top 4, Evers’ limit of five Lake Shelbyville bass, weighing 13 pounds, 1 ounce, looks like it will propel him to the semifinals with ease. DeFoe, last year’s All-Star champion, is in second place with four bass weighing 11-3. Read Story

Bassmaster's best ready to go all-out for All-Star Week in Illinois

Sept. 19, 2012 - DECATUR, Ill. — As the 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Brent Chapman is red-hot in pro bass fishing. But he is going into Toyota Trucks All-Star Week stone-cold. Read Story

Blue-Green Algae alerts lifted for Milford and two Johnson Co. lakes

Sept. 14, 2012 - TOPEKA — On Sept. 13, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported the latest results from testing water samples for blue-green algae. Milford Reservoir, Deanna Rose Farmstead Lake, and South Park Lake (both in Johnson County) have been removed from the Warning and Advisory lists. Central Park Lake in Shawnee County has been moved from the Warning list to the less serious Advisory list. These are the only changes from last week’s testing results. Read Story

Field is full for Bassmaster Toyota Trucks All-Star week

Sept. 11, 2012 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — And then there were 12 — All-Stars, that is. After nearly 400,000 votes spread among 89 candidates, the final four places in Toyota Trucks All-Star Week are set. Along with the Top 8 anglers in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year rankings for 2012, the fans have selected Gerald Swindle, Aaron Martens, Michael Iaconelli and Skeet Reese. Coincidentally, they were the Anglers of the Year for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Read Story

KDHE adds Milford Reservoir and Lake Scott State Park
to Blue-Green Algae Advisory list

Sept. 6, 2012 - TOPEKA — On Sept. 6, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported the latest results from testing water samples for blue-green algae, and Milford Reservoir and Lake Scott State Park have been added to the Advisory list. These are the only changes from last week’s testing results. Read Story

Christie wins Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake

Sept. 8, 2012 - WAGONER, Okla. — With all the challenges facing anglers at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake, it only seems logical that an Oklahoman would take the top prize. Jason Christie of Park Hill did just that, posting the second heaviest catch of the tournament in the final round to edge out Arkansas Elite Series pro Kevin Short by almost 2 pounds. Christie’s Day 3 limit of largemouth bass weighed 15 pounds, 15 ounces and gave him a total of 40-15 for the tournament. Short finished with 39-0. Read Story

Dean Grabs Lead at Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake

Sept. 7, 2012 - WAGONER, Okla. — Second place is not bad, but first is better. Texas’ Scott Dean made the switch today at Fort Gibson Lake in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake. His five bass limit weighing 13 pounds, 11 ounces gives him 29-6 for two days, enough to pass Day 1 leader, Kevin Short (who slipped to third with 27-3), and take the lead. Seth Feider of Minnesota is second with 27-15. Five anglers are within 5 pounds of the leader with one day left to fish. Read Story

Short in His Element at Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake

Sept. 6, 2012 - Wagoner, Okla. — Different bass anglers have reputations for different things. Arkansas’ Kevin Short is renowned for catching them when the going’s tough. It’s no surprise then, that he has the lead at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake.Read Story

Hope floats at Oklahoma's Fort Gibson Lake
in season finale of Bassmaster Central Open

Mike McClelland has been praying for fellow Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brent Chapman.

It’s not that pros aren’t always watching out for each other, but McClelland’s prayers are shaped by something less spiritual: a Bassmaster Classic qualification.

McClelland says he prayed for Chapman’s safe arrival in Wagoner, Okla., to compete in this week’s Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake.

Prayer answered. Read Story

Eight qualifiers determined for Toyota Trucks All-Star Week; Fan voting is open for four more picks

August 29, 2012 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Eight pros earned their way Sunday into the Bassmaster Elite Series postseason, Toyota Trucks All-Star Week set for Sept. 20-23 out of Decatur, Ill. Read Story

Aug. 28 fishing fans were able to be begin to cast their votes for four more Elite pros they believe deserve to be in the 2012 postseason. Voting continues through Sept. 10.

Boyd Duckett snaps up New York win in final Elite series season event

August 26, 2012 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Boyd Duckett used to count on his red shoes as his talisman. Now it seems his two-week-old son is bringing him all the luck he needs.

In pro fishing, it’s half-jokingly called “the baby pattern” because pros with new kids have proved to suddenly be more motivated. And that was true for Duckett when he came from behind Sunday to win the Ramada Championship on Oneida Lake by 6 ounces, snapping up a win that Day 2 and Day 3 leader Randy Howell had hoped might be his. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman wins Bassmaster Angler of the Year

August 25, 2012 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Maybe Brent Chapman will let up now. The man many regard as the most focused, single-minded angler of the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series has accomplished exactly what he set out to do at the beginning of the season. Read Story

Alabama’s Randy Howell Shows Again How It’s Done on Oneida

August 25, 2012 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Randy Howell was all smiles Saturday afternoon. He took the lead in the Ramada Championship for the second day in a row. Minutes later, his close friend and angling cohort Brent Chapman won the 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award. Read Story

Oneida Love: Alabama's Randy Howell takes over by ounces
Kansan Brent Chapman maintains A-O-Y lead

August 24, 2012 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. — As he squeezed out a 12-ounce lead Friday in the Bassmaster Elite Series’ season finale, Randy Howell was feeling a whole lot more love for Oneida Lake. Read Story

Oneida was the scene of his precipitous fall from a first-day lead in 2009, and the setting of a win just out of reach in 2011. And those weren’t the only times he’s driven away from the upstate New York lake feeling frustrated.

New Jersey's Michael Iaconelli slams 20-3 for 'Magical' Oneida Lake lead; Kansan Brent Chapman in second

August 23, 2012 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. — If Michael Iaconelli didn’t believe in magic before the Ramada Championship began, he sure sounded as if he did when the day was done.

“Magic” was the word he used over and over as he described his day of building a 20-pound, 3-ounce weight Thursday to put him in the lead at the Bassmaster Elite Series season finale on Oneida Lake. Read Story

It's down to the Bassmaster Elite Series season finale on New York's Oneida Lake Kansan Brent Chapman in A-O-Y race

August 21, 2012 - No one would blame Kansan Brent Chapman, Ott DeFoe or Todd Faircloth for wishing that the Bassmaster Elite Series season finale on New York’s Oneida Lake would just get started. Read Story

KDHE updates blue-green algae notices
Centralia Lake moved to Warning list, Atchison County Park Lake removed from listing
August 20, 2012 - TOPEKA — On Aug. 16, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported the latest results from testing water samples for blue-green algae, and alerts for two lakes have changed. Centralia Lake in Nemaha County has been moved to the Warning list and Atchison County Park Lake in Atchison County is no longer under a Warning or Advisory status. These are the only changes from last week’s testing results. Read Story

Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission meeting to be held August 23 in Great Bend

Senior license and fees on agenda for afternoon workshop

AGFC stocks more than 590,000 fish in Arkansas during July

Blue-Green Algae notices for August 10
Lakes in Johnson and Shawnee counties added to warning list

Aug. 10, 2012 - TOPEKA — On Aug. 10, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported the latest results from testing water samples for blue-green algae, and alerts for two lakes have been added to the “Warning” list: Antioch Park Lake South, in Johnson County, and Central Park Lake, in Shawnee County. These are the only changes from last week’s testing results. Read Story

Kingman SFL to be drained for rehab
Shoreline and fishery improvements scheduled, no fish salvage allowed

Aug. 9, 2012 - KINGMAN — In an effort to improve fishing and eliminate an expanding white perch population — an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) — Kingman State Fishing Lake (SFL) is scheduled to be drained and renovated this fall. Periodic renovations are standard practice in small lakes when fish populations became unbalanced due to expansion of undesirable fish species. Read Story

Algae blooms affect farm ponds as well as lakes
Algae blooms, oxygen depletion can kill fish, make pets and people sick

Aug. 1, 2012 - PRATT — Blue-green algae blooms have been reported at a number of Kansas reservoirs this summer, but they are not isolated to large bodies of water. Record hot temperatures and drought have created the potential for algae blooms in farm ponds. These blooms sometimes create toxins that can kill fish and even pets, and they are known to make people sick. Read Story

Lee vs. Lee: Matt Lee tops brother for Bassmaster Classic berth

July 29, 2012 - CONWAY, Ark. — Emotions were running as high as the central Arkansas thermometers when brothers Matt and Jordan Lee of Auburn University stepped to the weigh-in stage for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series final Sunday morning. Read Story

Drought is reducing Kansas stream flows:
Potential for algae blooms in stagnant pools

Great River Golden Reel Fishing Rodeo just weeks away!!

July 29, 2012 - Hundreds of recreational and professional anglers from throughout the Midwest will be making their way to the Burlington, Iowa Riverfront to compete for bragging rights and a chance at some big money in the 1st Annual Great River Golden Reel Fishing Rodeo, the season’s largest fishing tournament. Read Story

Current Blue-Green Algae warnings and advisories
Warning lifted at Old Herington City Lake

Chapman maintains A-O-Y lead
Jonathon VanDam wins Elite Series event in Green Bay

July 1, 2012 - GREEN BAY, Wis. — Four days on Lake Michigan produced four different tournament leaders at the Bassmaster Elite Series Green Bay Challenge. But it was the leader at the end of today’s final competition round who takes home the trophy, $100,000 in first-place prize money and an automatic berth in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. That distinction belongs to Jonathon VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., who bested 97 of the best bass anglers in the world with a four-day catch of smallmouth bass weighing 79 pounds, 2 ounces. Read Story

Chapman in 23rd
Rojas edges ahead at Green Bay Challenge

June 29, 2012 - GREEN BAY, Wis. — Four-time Bassmaster tournament winner Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., has taken the lead at the Bassmaster Elite Series Green Bay Challenge. Rojas, who was in 2nd place coming into today’s round, added a limit of five bass weighing 17 pounds, 14 ounces to his tally, for a total of 37-12. First round leader Aaron Martens caught 16-15 today and trails Rojas by 13 ounces. Read Story

Oklahoma's American Horse Lake to close July 9 for repairs

June 27, 2012 - Beginning July 9, American Horse Lake near Geary will be closed to public access until further notice for repairs to the dam.

"American Horse Lake is a popular spot, and it needs repairs so it can remain a great place to take the family fishing and camping," said Gene Gilliland, assistant chief of fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Right now there are safety concerns that will not be resolved until after the dam is repaired, so the property will be closed until the project is complete. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman maintains Angler of the Year lead
Texan Todd Faircloth Takes Mississippi River Rumble

June 24, 2012 - LA CROSSE, Wis. — Time was running out. About 15 minutes to go before he had to call it a day, Todd Faircloth hooked into a solid 3-pounder. And even though he had led for two days, only then did he feel that maybe, just maybe, he had nailed the Mississippi River Rumble in La Crosse, Wis. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman makes cut for final day
Texas’ Todd Faircloth Takes Round 3 in the Mississippi River Rumble

June 23, 2012 - LA CROSSE, Wis. — He slipped from a two-finger hold to hanging by a fingernail, but Todd Faircloth was the leader again Saturday in the Mississippi River Rumble.

Starting in eighth place after Thursday, Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, jumped into the lead Friday by 12 ounces. By Saturday, the event’s third day, his hold on the lead was a mere 7 ounces over Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman wins at Toledo Bend
First Elite Series title

June 10, 2012 - MANY, La. — Brent Chapman will turn 40 in early July. That’s a milestone he didn’t want to celebrate without having ticked the box next to a top career goal: a Bassmaster Elite Series win. Read Story

Kansas places third in B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Central Divisional

June 8, 2012 - MORGAN CITY, La. — Louisiana won big Friday in the 2012 Cabela's B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Central Divisional. The host anglers caught a total of 328 pounds, 2 ounces of Atchafalaya Basin bass across three days to claim their team championship. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman leads Elite Series even on Toledo Bend after day two

June 8, 2012 - MANY, La. — Talk about a dynamite two-for-one deal: Brent Chapman’s Friday performance in the Toledo Bend Battle yielded five lunker bass that pushed him into first place in the event standings, while also pushing him toward recapturing first place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race. Read Story

KDHE modifies public health advisory for Arkansas River
Friday work will permanently plug leak at Wichita's treatment plant

June 1 - TOPEKA, Kan.—The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has modified the public health advisory first issued on May 25 for the Arkansas River. Water samples collected by KDHE and the city of Wichita indicate that bacteria concentrations above the 47th Street bridge are safe for recreation. Therefore, KDHE is modifying the current health advisory to include the portion of the Arkansas River from the 47th Street bridge to the state line. Read Story

Green Bay, Wis., revealed as the mystery fishery of the Bassmaster Elite Series

Brandon Barrette (left) and Bryce Jacobson, both of Peshtigo, Wis., show off part of their recent catch of smallmouth bass from Green Bay, Wis., site of the Bassmaster Elite Series “Mystery Lake” event to be held June 28-July 1. Darren Jacobson Photo

May 24, 2012 - GREEN BAY, Wis. — After months of speculation, the wait is finally over. The “Mystery Lake” now has a name. B.A.S.S. today announced that Green Bay, Wis., and Lake Michigan will be the site of the seventh Bassmaster Elite Series event of the season, June 28 through July 1, 2012. Read Story

Kansas State Fishing Lakes offer great Memorial Day outings
Survey indicates highly-satisfied Memorial Day weekend visitors

May 24, 2012 - PRATT — Looking for a peaceful, uncrowded Memorial Day weekend outdoor experience? Try one of the more than 40 Kansas state fishing lakes. Anglers surveyed who fished state fishing lakes reported low levels of crowding, high satisfaction, and sufficient access from shore at these small Kansas gems. In most cases, there is minimal to no wait time to launch a boat and plenty of parking available. Read Story

Kansas team places third
Bassmaster win is graduation gift for an Arkansas team

May 12, 2012 - WAGONER, Okla. - Today was to have been the day for Mook Miller and Kyle Billingsley to walk across the stage of Bud Walton Arena and receive their undergraduate diplomas at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Instead, the two Arkansans walked across the B.A.S.S. weigh-in stage on the shoreline of Oklahoma’s Fort Gibson Lake and received their winner’s trophies at the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Super Regional. Read Story

Kansas State in fourth
Oklahoma State claims narrow lead in Bassmaster College Series Midwest Super Regional

May 11, 2012 - WAGONER, Okla. Postspawn bass on the move are notoriously hard for an angler to pattern. Add a lake’s rapidly falling water to the mix, and solving the bass fishing equation becomes a mind-boggling challenge.

Oklahoma State University’s Zack Birge and Blake Flurry aren’t math majors, yet they found a common denominator in locating bass dispersing from backwater spawning areas into the wide-open waters of Fort Gibson Lake. Read Story

Martens leads Douglas Lake Challenge

Thursday proved to be a pivotal point in Martens’ season

May 3, 2012 - DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Aaron Martens began to pull himself out of his season slump Thursday by leading the Douglas Lake Challenge with 23 pounds, 14 ounces, an even 2 pounds ahead of Texan Matt Reed, his nearest challenger in the four-day Bassmaster Elite Series event. Read Story

Cornering shallow-water crappie
Warming water lures fish to shallows; online video details best angling techniques

May 3, 2012 - PRATT — The Kansas crappie spawn is one of the most exciting times of the year for many Kansas anglers. In response to warming April weather, breeding fish are moving into lake shallows, and anglers are already catching them as they move to spawning waters close to shore. This concentrates the fish and makes great fishing for boaters and shore anglers. Reservoirs from Glen Elder in the northwest, Perry and Tuttle Creek in the northeast, Cheney in the southcentral, and LaCygne and Melvern in the southeast are reporting crappie caught in shallow water, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Fishing Reports web page, the most currently-recorded biologists' fishing reports. Read Story

Casey Scanlon of Lenexa wins Central Open on Table Rock

April 28, 2012 - BRANSON, Mo. — Watching fellow Bassmaster Elite Series’ pro Brandon Palaniuk win the Elite Series event at Bull Shoals Lake gave Casey Scanlon an idea. He decided to replicate Palaniuk’s pattern this week during the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open at Table Rock Lake. Read Story

Kansan Casey Scanlon moves up to fourth
Lester California Dreamin' on Table Rock

April 27, 2012 - BRANSON, Mo .— Dustin Lester’s third trip to Table Rock could be a charm. Read Story

Casey Scanlon of Lenexa is top Kansan at seventh
Jackson is stone wall at The Rock

April 26, 2012 - BRANSON, Mo .— The waters of Table Rock Lake were unusually stained today, giving Benjamin Jackson a chance to fish like he does back home. The Oklahoma angler made the most of his opportunity today at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open. Read Story

Perry, Wilson and Sebelius make the cut
Bassmaster magazine names 100 best U.S. bass fishing lakes

Fifty pound club catfish tournament to be held at Wellington Lake

Catfish anglers have a chance to put their skills to the test on April 27 & 28 on Wellington Lake five miles west of Wellington on Highway 160 and then four miles south. The tournament will start at 8:00 pm on April 27 and run through 10:00 am on April 28. Entry will start at 4:00 pm on April 27 and run through 10:00 pm. The weigh-in will be held at 11:00 with a drawing for door prises following the weigh-in. Entry fee is $35 cash, no checks. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman climbs from eighth to fifth
Palaniuk holds on to lead for win at B.A.S.S. TroKar Quest

April 22, 2012 - BULL SHOALS, Ark. — Brandon Palaniuk may have $100,000 in the bank after his win today at the Bassmaster Elite Series TroKar Quest at Bull Shoals Lake, but that’s not going to change his lifestyle. He planned to spend Sunday night sleeping in his pickup truck, just as he has every night this week and during most other tournaments. Read Story

Chapman slips to eighth, only one 5-pounder out of second
Palaniuk continues relentless pursuit of win at TroKar Quest

April 21, 2012 - BULL SHOALS, Ark — Brandon Palaniuk has been relentless in his pursuit of a win during the Elite Series TroKar Quest on Bull Shoals Lake, and he isn’t holding anything back, even though he has almost a 13-pound lead over his nearest rival. Read Story

Kansas to participate in "Wanna go fishing for millions?" promotion
Tagged fish could be worth big bucks

April 19, 2012 - TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will participate again this year in Cabela’s Wanna Go Fishing for Millions? promotion by tagging fish at certain public lakes around the state. The competition begins May 5, at which time the lakes will be announced to the general public. The contest gives anglers a 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. In 2011, 143 winning fish were caught nationwide, and Kansas anglers led the nation with 26 tagged fish caught. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman jumps to sixth from 24th
Palaniuk takes commanding lead on day 2 at Bull Shoals

April 20, 2012 - BULL SHOALS, Ark. — After taking the top spot on Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite Series TroKar Quest, Brandon Palaniuk was determined not to relinquish his lead. Despite hooking his left pinky finger to the bone and taking a trip to the emergency room to have the barb cut out, Palaniuk again brought the biggest bag to the scales with 24 pounds, 4 ounces. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman in 24th
Palaniuk takes the lead on Day 1 at Elite Series TroKar Quest

April 19, 2012 - BULL SHOALS, AK -- Brandon Palaniuk was the last angler to launch his boat for the Bassmaster Elite Series TroKar Quest on Bull Shoals Lake in Mountain Home, Ark., today, and he was the last to weigh-in, but his Day 1 finish was first with a catch of 21 pounds, 9 ounces. That included the Carhartt Big Bass of the day, a 5-pound, 11-ounce largemouth. Read Story

Saving pro angler Brent Chapman

April 17, 2012 - B.A.S.S. - Last fall while training for a triathlon, Brent Chapman almost drowned. A passing boater saved him.

Over the next few months, as surely as that boater pulled him aboard, he hauled himself out of the hot water his career had slid into. Read Story

Rainbow trout records falls twice - again
Two record-breaking fish caught within three-day period

March produces second Oklahoma black bass state record

April 5, 2012 - Just days after Poteau angler Benny Williams, Jr. landed a new state record largemouth bass from Cedar Lake in southeast Oklahoma, an angler in the opposite southern corner of the state has reeled in a new state record smallmouth bass. Read Story

Entries now being accepted for 12th Annual Big Bass Challenge to be held September 15 on Lake Wilson

Hays Bass Anglers Association is now accepting entry forms/fees for the 12th Annual Big Bass Challenge. Starting positions for the tournament will be determined by the order in which entries are post-marked & received. Read Story

Senior hunting/fishing pass would stop federal funding loss
Capturing federal fuds one key to maintaining programs

Angler lands new Oklahoma state record largemouth bass

Photo: Benny Williams, Jr. of Poteau landed the new state record largemouth bass March 23 at Cedar Lake. The fish weighed 14 lbs. 12.3 oz.

March 26, 2012 - A new Oklahoma state record largemouth bass was caught Friday, March 23, at Cedar Lake in southeast Oklahoma. The fish weighed 14 lbs. 12.3 oz. and was caught by Poteau angler Benny Williams, Jr. while on a camping trip at the 78-acre LeFlore Co. lake. Read Story

Monroe tops the 100-pound total weight to win Power Pole
Chapman climbs another spot to finish fifth

March 25, 2012 - OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — When Ish Monroe wins in the Bassmaster Elite Series, he goes big.

Monroe of Hughson, Calif., won the Power-Pole Slam Sunday on Lake Okeechobee with a four-day total of 108 pounds, 5 ounces. It was his second Elite Series win. His first, six years ago on Lake Amistad in the inaugural event of the newly formed series, was also by more than 100 pounds — 104-8 to be exact. Read Story

California's Ish Monroe holds on to lead at Power-Power Slam
Kansan Brent Chapman jumps to sixth

March 23, 2012 - OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Nothing short of a heroic effort Saturday could have knocked Ish Monroe of Hughson, Calif., off his lead of 13 pounds, 11 ounces in the Bassmaster Elite Series Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee. Read Story

California's Ish Monroe maintains lead in Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee - Kansan Brent Chapman jumps to 25th from 42nd

March 23, 2012 - OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Smashing a six-year-old Bassmaster Elite Series record and threatening others, Ish Monroe increased his lead Friday to 13 pounds, 11 ounces, in the Power-Pole Slam over his nearest challenger, 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion Chris Lane. Read Story

KDWPT state parks open house March 31
Free entrance at all Kansas state parks; events, introduction to new reservation system, drawing for free stay at park cabin

March 22, 2012 - TOPEKA — On Saturday, March 31, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will hold an “Open House” at all state parks from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with free park entrance. To highlight the event, visitors will have the opportunity to enter a statewide drawing to win a free one-night stay at a state park or public lands cabin of their choice. (The free one-night stay must be used in 2012 and is subject to availability. No purchase is required to enter the drawing. Limit one entry per person. The free night may be used for a single night or to extend a paid cabin reservation for another night.) Read Story

California's Ish Monroe leads by more that 8 pounds in Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Okeechobee

March 22, 2012 - OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Ish Monroe of Hughson, Calif., had one of those magical days all pros dream about: hauling aboard lunker after lunker after lunker. The five best added up to 34 pounds, 5 ounces, giving Monroe the first-day lead in the Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee by 8 pounds, 12 ounces, over Davy Hite. Read Story

Lake Texoma lake record largemouth bass caught March 3

March 15, 2012 - The arrival of spring often brings warmer weather, blooming trees and, at least in Oklahoma, a big lake record fish. On March 3, Royce Harlan of Kingston hauled in a 12.4-lb. largemouth bass from the waters of Lake Texoma, nabbing that lake record spot and setting the stage for a great fishing season.

Alton Jones comes through for his first Bassmaster Elite Series title
Kansan Brent Chapman finishes fourth on St. Johns River

March 18, 2012 - PALATKA, Fla. — Alton Jones’ Sunday victory on the St. Johns River was all the sweeter for the redemption sprinkled on top. Read Story

Ammended senior hunting/fishing license bill goes to Senate
Seniors would have two options for discounted licenses

March 9, 2012 - The Senate Natural Resources Committee today amended Senate Bill 314 and sent it to the full Senate. Earlier this year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) asked the Kansas Legislature to consider eliminating the hunting and fishing license exemptions for persons 65 years of age and older. The committee held hearings on the bill on February 17 and March 1. Read Story

Proposed amendment could change senior license exemption bill
Proposal addresses seniors' concerns while helping agency

March 2, 2012 - TOPEKA – Earlier this year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) asked the Kansas Legislature to consider eliminating the hunting and fishing license exemptions for persons 65 years of age and older. A bill to remove the exemptions was introduced into the Kansas Senate as SB 314, and was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, which held hearings on the bill on February 17 and March 1. Read Story

Lane wins 2012 Bassmaster classic
Kansan Brent Chapment places 18th

Feb. 26, 2012 - SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, La. — “Go, Chris Lane!”

As he stepped off the 2012 Bassmaster Classic stage on Sunday, Bobby Lane bellowed his brother’s name. Bobby had just been knocked out of contention. He knew Chris still had a good chance. Read Story

Arkansas takes the College B.A.S.S. College Crown from LSU

Feb. 26, 2012 - Arkansas University did what it came to do today: steal the Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic title from Louisiana State University. Read Story

Chris Lane moves to first in Class, Chapman moves up to 14th

February 25, 2012 - SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, La. — Tick-tock. Chris Lane says he’s got a sort of inner clock that starts to tick when everything is in sync and working for him. If ever he’s heard that wonderful sound, it was Saturday at the Bassmaster Classic on the Red River. Read Story

Tak and Ike tie: Tak advances to Sunday

Feb. 25, 2012 - At the end of two days of competition at the Bassmaster Classic, 2003 Classic champ Michael Iaconelli and 2004 Classic champ Takahiro Omori were tied with 23 pounds, 12 ounces of bass and in 25th place.

No problem you say. There's still one more day of competition to break the tie.

Not exactly. Read Story

Keith Poche lands lead in Bassmaster Classic by one ounce
Kansan Brent Chapman in 23rd

February 24, 2012 - SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, La. — After Keith Poche stepped off the Bassmaster Classic stage, he did not fully realize he had just taken the lead from Greg Vinson by 1 ounce. Someone backstage helped drive it home to him. Read Story

Kansan Brent Chapman takes Bassmaster Central Open in fish-off
Qualifies for Classic, gets third B.A.S.S. victory

February 12, 2012 - LEWISVILLE, Texas – Fittingly for stingy Lewisville Lake, the fish-off Sunday came down to one bite. Brent Chapman got it, Josh Bertrand never did. Read Story

 

Kansan Brent Chapman rebounds to first place tie
Fish-off schedule for Sunday for Bassmaster Open on Lewisville

February 11, 2012 - LEWISVILLE, Texas – The leader blanked and two challengers ended up in a tie for first place, forcing a fish-off in the Bass Pro ShopsBassmaster Central Open at Lewisville Lake. Read Story

Hallman moves in to first in Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville
Kansan Brent Chapman slips to sixth

February 10, 2012 - LEWISVILLE, Texas — Taking the Steve Kennedy approach is paying off for Bradley Hallman at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville Lake. Read Story

Lankford leads at Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville
Kansan Brent Chapman in fourth

February 9, 2012 - LEWISVILLE, Texas — Beginner’s luck seemed to be the best way to beat the tough fishing conditions during the opening round of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville Lake.

The top three finishers on the boater side have plenty of fishing experience, but it was the first time any of them had fished Lewisville Lake. Oklahoma’s Brad Lankford took the lead with a five-fish limit weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce to finish a mere 1 ounce ahead of Josh Bertrand of Arizona. They were the only two anglers on the pro side to catch a limit. Only 97 of the 178 anglers in the pro field weighed a fish, and 62 of them only weighed in one. Read Story

Asian Carp Caught in Augusta City Lake
Strange-looking fish puzzles anglers

KDWPT fishing forecast now online
Statewide summary helps anglers find best spots to fish in 2012

"Trip of a Lifetime" with Kevin VanDam is top prize in Bassmaster.com sweepstakes

January 23, 2012 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— A fishing outing with Kevin VanDam is a rare prize, but it’s being offered in a sweepstakes happening now at Bassmaster.com.

The“Fish with a Pro” sweepstakes winner will be given the opportunity to meet up with the world’s best bass angler, KVD, for a morning on the water in July. They will hit a lake near Orlando, Fla., site of the vacation for two that the sweepstakes winner can enjoy at the same time. Read Story

Lane wins Harris Chain Open, first berth in 2013 Classic

Jan. 21, 2012 - Orlando, Fla. -- Chris Lane of Guntersville, Ala., made it look easy on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes in the kick-off event of the 2012 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open series. As the only angler to weigh in 20 or more pounds of bass each day on the way to his third B.A.S.S. win with a three-day total of 72-11 pounds. Clifford Pirch of Payson, Ariz., finished second with 58-1. Read Story

Chris Lane grabs second-day lead on the Harris Chain

Jan. 20, 2012 - TAVARES, Fla. – It was a day of regulars and records on the Harris Chain of Lakes at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open. The regulars were local anglers like Chris Lane and Tim Frederick, who continued to show their dominance. The record – at least for B.A.S.S. history on these waters – belonged to Bassmaster Elite Series rook Jared Miller of Norman, Okla. Read Story

Fishing regulation summary for 2012 is now available
Latest rules; how, where, and what to fish for; new bait restrictions included

Jan. 12, 2012 - PRATT — Printed copies of the 2012 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary booklet are now available at Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) office and license vendors, the agency has announced. Among other things, the publication lists new regulations that took effect Jan. 1. From new regulations regarding bait fish to new lakes and ice fishing regulations, the booklet has everything the angler needs to begin the New Year right. Read Story

Money for fish and wildlife management explained
75th anniversary of landmark legislation that brought wildlife back from the brink celebrated in 2012

Jan. 5, 2012 - PRATT — Hunters and anglers pay for wildlife management in Kansas. If you’ve heard that before, you were probably talking to an employee of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). There is a popular myth, probably because KDWPT is a state agency, that general taxes pay for its programs. Actually, State General Funds make up less than 7 percent of the agency’s budget, and that money is dedicated to state park programs and administration. The bulk of KDWPT’s budget is derived from the sale of licenses and permits, and the rest of the budget used for wildlife and fisheries management comes from federal funding — a self-imposed excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment lobbied for by hunters and anglers themselves. Read Story