Rules and Regulations

New This Year

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS): Designated Waters Updates

Added: Carbondale East Lake, Great Bend-Stone Lake and Shawnee SFL to the Aquatic Invasive Species Designated Waters list for the presence of zebra mussels. Live fish and aquatic bait may not be transported from these waters. Addition of White Perch to AIS listing for Jeffrey Energy Center.

Rare Species Alert: Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator Snapping Turtles were released in the Neosho River between Chanute and the Oklahoma border in 2024. Please be aware of the increased potential to see the species in this area, and of subsequent research activities such as radio telemetry and trapping going on along this stretch of river. If you believe you have found or caught an alligator snapping turtle, please take a photo and send it to [email protected], before releasing it back to the water.

Boating: Fire Extinguisher Requirements

The U.S. Coast Guard has updated its rules for fire extinguisher requirements for motorboats (vessel). These updated requirements are based on vessel model year and its class (see Page 13 for details).

Additional Fees Removed

The Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP) leases fishing rights on more than 200 community lakes to ensure anglers are not charged additional fees. The following waters were added for 2025.

Added: Johnson County Antioch North and South Ponds, Johnson County Heritage Park Lake, Johnson County Kill Creek North and South Ponds, Johnson County Kill Creek Park Lake and Johnson County Shawnee Mission Park Lake.

General Regulations

Definitions

Artificial Lure: A man-made fishing device made of artificial or non-edible natural materials used to mimic prey. Each device mimicking individual prey shall be limited to no more than three hooks. Each device mimicking multiple prey shall be limited to no more than five hooks.

Baitfish: Minnow family (Cyprinidae), sucker family (Catostomidae), top minnows or killifish family (Cyprinodontidae), sunfish family (Centrarchidae), excluding black basses and crappie, which may be used only if legally harvested by hook and line within appropriate length and creel limits. Baitfish exclude fishes listed as Kansas threatened or endangered species.

Calendar day: A 24-hour period from midnight to midnight.

Cast net: A circular or conical, weighted net designed to be cast, mouth downward, by hand and withdrawn by lines attached to its margin.

Culling: Replacing one live fish held by an angler for another live fish of the same species.

Creel limit: The maximum number of a species of fish, turtle or frog that can be taken per person in a calendar day.

Department-managed lands and waters: State parks, lakes and all other recreational or wildlife areas controlled by the department, including federal reservoirs.

Dip net: A small hand-held net with rigid support about the mouth used to land fish.

Fish Ladder: A structure that facilitates the natural migration of fish upstream on, through or around an artificial barrier or dam.

Fishing Line: Any hand-operated string or cord, using hooks that may be used in conjunction with rods, poles, reels, bows, or spearguns.

Floatline: Free-floating device attached to a single line with no more than two hooks. All float material shall be constructed only from plastic, wood, or foam and shall be a closed-cell construction. A "closed-cell" construction shall mean a solid body incapable of containing water.

Length Limit: Length of fish as measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with mouth closed and tail lobes pressed together. (Except for paddlefish – see Page 7.)

Possession limit: The maximum total number of a species that can be retained per person at one time.

Prohibited species: Walking catfish, silver carp, bighead carp, black carp, snakehead fish, round goby, white perch, zebra mussel, quagga mussel, New Zealand mudsnail, fertile (diploid) grass carp, marbled crayfish, monk parakeet, Asian raccoon dog, crucian carp, largescale silver carp, Prussian carp, wels catfish, Eurasian minnow, stone moroko, European perch, Nile perch, roach, amur sleeper, zander, common yabby. (It is illegal to possess or release any live wildlife species listed above.)

Setline: A string or cord that is anchored at one point by an anchor weighing at least 25 pounds or is attached to a fixed and immovable stake or object, does not have more than two hooks, and is not associated with a hand-operated mechanical reel. Any float used with a setline shall be constructed only from plastic, wood, or foam and shall be a closed-cell construction.

Slot Limit: A length limit range that requires fish measuring within that range to be returned to the water unharmed.

Snagging: The hooking of a fish in any part of its body other than the inside of the mouth.

Tip-up: An icefishing device designed to signal the strike of a fish.

Take: To harass, harm, pursue, shoot, wound, kill, molest, trap, capture, collect, catch, possess or otherwise take or attempt to take.

Trotline: A line anchored at one point, with more than two hooks and not more than 25 hooks, and not associated with a hand-operated mechanical reel.

Private water fishing impoundment: One or more water impoundments: 1) constructed by man rather than natural, located wholly within he boundary of the lands owned or leased by the person operating the private water impoundments; and 2) entirely isolated from other surface water so that the impoundment does not have any connection either continuously or at intervals, except during periods of floods, with streams or other bodies of water so as to permit the fish to move between streams or other bodies of water and the private water impoundments, except that the private water impoundments may be connected with a stream or other body of water by a pipe or conduit if fish will be prevented at all times from moving between streams or other bodies of water and the private water impoundment by screening the flow or by other means.

Common Concerns

Natural Resource Officers

• It is illegal to refuse to allow a natural resource officer to check your license or inspect any fish in your possession.

Possession/Wanton Waste

• All fish taken that have a length limit shall have the head, body, and tail fin left attached while in possession on the water.
• Fish taken shall be retained until 1) cleaned, 2) taken home, 3) taken to a taxidermist or processor, 4) given to another person, 5) eaten, or 6) let go in the waters from which taken.

Equipment

• Fishing rods must be attended at all times unless tagged. Only two rods may be used unless a three-pole permit (Page 6) is purchased.
• Firearms may not be used to take fish.
• Nets may not be used to take fish other than bait fish. Dip or cast nets (mesh no larger than 1 inch) and seines (mesh no larger than 1/4-inch) may be used to take bait fish. Seines are prohibited on state fishing lakes.

Vehicles on Public Land

• Vehicles on public lands are restricted to maintained roads and must have vehicle registration.

Stocking

• It is illegal to release any fish into public waters unless caught from that water. (See Aquatic Invasive Species on Pages 34-37.)

Length Limits Defined

Minimum length limits mean that fish shorter than a certain length cannot be kept. If the minimum length limit for bass is 15 inches, all bass shorter than 15 inches must be released immediately.

A slot-length limit prevents anglers from keeping fish within a certain size range. For example, if the slot length limit for bass is 13-18 inches, bass between 13 and 18 inches long must be returned to the water.

All fish caught that do not meet length limit requirements must be returned to the water immediately, unrestrained.

To determine fish length, measure from the tip of its snout, with its mouth closed, to end of the tail, lobes pressed together. However, the length of a paddlefish is taken by measuring from the front of the eye to the fork of the tail.

When using a flexible measuring device such as a tape, lay the tape on a flat surface and lay the fish along or on top of the tape to get an accurate measurement.

Legal Equipment

Rod and Reel Fishing

Each angler is limited to two rods (three with three-pole permit) with no more than two baited hooks (single or treble) or artificial lures per line. If two artificial lures are used, the fishing line shall not exceed six hooks. An artificial lure is defined as a man-made fishing device made of artificial or non-edible natural materials used to mimic prey. The Umbrella Rig, also known as the Alabama Rig, may have up to five hooks.

Trotlines, Setlines, Floatlines

In addition to two rods, an angler may set one trotline with no more than 25 hooks, OR eight setlines with no more than two hooks each, OR eight floatlines with no more than two hooks each. Trotlines, setlines, and floatlines may not be set within 150 yards of any dam. Fishing lines, setlines, and trotlines must be checked at least once every 24 hours. Trotlines, setlines, floatlines, tip-ups, and unattended fishing lines must be tagged securely and plainly with the angler’s name and address or KDWP number. A setline must be anchored at one point by an anchor weighing at least 25 pounds or attached to a fixed and immovable stake or object. Any float used with a setline or trotline shall be constructed only from plastic, wood, or foam and shall be a closed-cell construction (a solid body incapable of containing water).

Trotlines and setlines are prohibited on all department-managed waters under 1,201 surface acres. Other restrictions may be applied by posted notice.

Floatline Fishing

Floatline fishing is allowed year-round, 24 hours a day at Council Grove, Elk City, Fall River, Glen Elder, Hillsdale, John Redmond, Kanopolis, Lovewell, Tuttle Creek, Pomona, Toronto, and Wilson reservoirs. Anglers are allowed no more than eight floatlines. All floatlines must be under immediate supervision of the angler and must be removed from the water when fishing ceases. All float material shall be constructed only from plastic, wood, or foam and shall be a closed-cell construction. A "closed-cell" construction shall mean a solid body incapable of containing water.

Snagging

The following fish may be snagged in designated waters during designated seasons (See page 7): paddlefish, grass carp, common carp, freshwater drum, threadfin shad, gizzard shad, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, and their hybrids, bigmouth buffalo, smallmouth buffalo, black buffalo, and their hybrids, river carpsucker, quillback, white sucker, golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse, goldfish, goldeye, shovelnose sturgeon, and fish species listed as prohibited species. Fish not included in this list that are hooked anywhere but in the mouth or fish hooked anywhere but in the mouth outside of designated waters and designated seasons should be returned, unrestrained, to the water immediately.

Bowfishing

All waters are open to bowfishing, unless posted otherwise. Some bowfishing is permitted at city, county, township, or private lakes, but regulations vary, so consult local rules. Grass carp, common carp, freshwater drum, threadfin shad, gizzard shad, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, and their hybrids, bigmouth buffalo, smallmouth buffalo, black buffalo, and their hybrids, river carpsucker, quillback, white sucker, golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse, goldfish, goldeye, shovelnose sturgeon, and fish species listed as prohibited species can be legally taken by bowfishing wherever bowfishing is allowed. Blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish may not be taken by bowfishing in rivers and streams but may be taken by bowfishing in other waters where no length limits for these species are in place. Crossbows are legal. Bowfish anglers must have in possession a valid Kansas fishing license, unless exempt by law. Arrows must have barbed heads, and each arrow must be attached by a line to the bow. Waters within 50 yards of an occupied boat dock or ramp, occupied swimming area, occupied picnic site or camping area, and other occupied public-use areas are closed to bowfishing.

Spearfishing/Gigging

Unless otherwise posted, spearguns or gigs without explosive charge, may be used to take grass carp, common carp, freshwater drum, threadfin shad, gizzard shad, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, and their hybrids, bigmouth buffalo, smallmouth buffalo, black buffalo, and their hybrids, river carpsucker, quillback, white sucker, golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse, goldfish, goldeye, shovelnose sturgeon, fish species listed as prohibited species in waters posted “open to scuba and skin diving” and bullfrogs. Spears must be attached to speargun or person by a line.

Legal Baits

Legal fish bait includes artificial lures, baitfish (as defined on Page 9), prepared bait, vegetable materials, artificial bait, worms, crayfish, leeches, amphibians and mussels. Species listed as prohibited may NOT be possessed live or utilized as live bait. Species which are listed as threatened, endangered, or in need of conservation may NOT be used as bait. Any other LEGALLY TAKEN wildlife, subject to the restrictions listed in “Wild-Caught Bait” below, may be used, including fish of legal length taken by hook and line.

COMMERCIAL BAIT

The following DEAD species of wildlife may be commercially sold in Kansas for fishing bait: gizzard shad, threadfin shad, silver carp, bighead carp, skipjack herring, emerald shiners. It is illegal to release live baitfish into any water or transport live baitfish from any waters. Baitfish should be disposed of on land or at designated disposal sites.

Wild-Caught Bait

Bait may be taken for noncommercial purposes.

• Methods: seine not larger than 15 feet long and four feet deep, with mesh not larger than 1/4 inch; fish trap with mesh not larger than 1/4 inch and throat no larger than 1 inch in diameter (must be tagged with angler's name and address); fishing line; or a dip or cast net with mesh no larger than 1 inch
• Size: baitfish, except gizzard shad, silver carp and bighead carp may not exceed 12 inches in length. Silver and bighead carp may not be kept alive.
• Limit: 500 per person
• Legal waters: statewide, except that seining is prohibited on department-owned waters
• License requirement: unless exempt by law, a fishing license is required
• Use and movement: Live baitfish, crayfish, leeches, amphibians, and mussels may be caught and used as live bait only within the common drainage where caught. However, bluegill and green sunfish collected from non-designated aquatic invasive species waters may be possessed or used as live bait anywhere in the state. Live baitfish shall not be transported and used above any upstream dam or barrier that prohibits the normal passage of fish. Live baitfish collected from designated aquatic invasive species waters shall be possessed or used as live bait only while on that water and shall not be transported from the water alive.

Chumming

It is legal to bait or “chum” water to attract fish. Check city and county laws for waters managed by these localities.

Livewells/Bilges

Livewells and bilges must be drained and drain plugs removed from all vessels being removed from waters of the state before transport on a public highway. No person may possess any live fish upon departure from any designated aquatic invasive species body of water (see Page 34.)

Unlawful Acts

It is unlawful to refuse to allow law enforcement officers to inspect fish or wildlife in possession or devices or facilities used in taking, possessing, transporting, storing, or processing any wildlife. It is also unlawful to sell fish except as specifically authorized under a commercial fishing permit.

It is illegal to clip the fins, tag, or otherwise mark fish if they are to be released after catch.

Possession

All fish taken, subject to a length limit, shall have the head, body, and tail fin attached while in possession on the water. Fish taken must be kept until consumed, processed, taken home, given to another person, properly disposed of, or released.

“Legally taken fish may be given to another if accompanied by a dated, written notice that includes the donor’s printed name, signature, address, and permit or license number.”

Fishing Private Land

Except in waters enrolled in the WIFA program (see Page 45), anglers must obtain permission from the landowner or tenant to fish on private land. This also applies to anglers fishing from roadways, bridges, or railroad rights-of-way. Unless otherwise posted, all streams in Kansas other than the Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas rivers are under private ownership of adjoining landowners. Those three large rivers are public up to the normal high-water line; however, anglers must obtain landowner or tenant permission before crossing private property to fish them. (See License Requirements Page 6.)

Bullfrogs

Bullfrog season is open July 1 through October 31. Daily creel limit is eight. Possession limit is 24 bullfrogs. A valid fishing license is required to take, catch, or kill bullfrogs, unless exempt. Bullfrogs may be taken any time of day or night by dip net, gig, hook and line, hand, bow and arrow, or crossbow. A line must attach bow to arrow, and the arrow must have a barbed head. Any other method of taking bullfrogs is prohibited.

Fishing Ladders

No person may fish or collect bait within, cast fishing line or throw nets into or over, or trespass with the intent of fishing within a fish passage, fish ladder or fishway. A fish passage, fish ladder, or fishway is defined as a structure that facilitates the natural migration of fish upstream on, through or around an artificial barrier or dam.

Turtles

Common snapping turtles and soft-shelled turtles may be taken year-round. Daily creel limit is eight, single species or in combination. Possession limit is 24. A valid fishing license is required (unless exempt). Legal equipment: hand, hook and line, setline, hand dip net, seine, turtle trap, or gig.

Icefishing

Icefishing with baited hooks or lures is legal on lakes, reservoirs, and streams. In addition to the allowed two rods, eight tipups may be used to icefish, unless otherwise posted. Tip-ups may have a maximum of two hooks each. Unattended tip-ups must be tagged plainly with the angler's name and address. County or city lakes may have local laws controlling such activity.

Motorized electric or gasoline-powered two-wheeled vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, work-site utility vehicles, golf carts, and snowmobiles may be operated on ice-covered department waters only for the purpose of ice fishing from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. These vehicles shall enter onto the ice only from boat ramps and points of entry as established by posted notice.

Holes cut in the ice of public waters may be no more than 12 inches in diameter or 12 inches square.

State Fishing Lakes

Motorboats may be used on state fishing lakes for fishing and hunting only, unless otherwise posted. Wading and float tubing in state fishing lakes is legal as part of fishing, hunting, bullfrogging, and trapping.

Fort Riley Fishing

The Fort Riley military installation or portions of it may be closed at any time, without prior notice, due to military activities. The military mission has precedence over the announced seasons. Fort Riley has 29 ponds and several streams that may be open to fishing. For more information, go to fortriley.isportsman.net or call (785) 239-6211. All individuals 16 and older are required to have a Visitor’s Access Pass to recreate on Fort Riley, which can be acquired at the installation’s Visitor Control Center, located just south of Henry Gate Access Control Point (Exit 301, I-70).

Online Fishing Reports

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has provided fishing reports to anglers for more than 25 years. Anglers can visit the KDWP website, ksoutdoors.com, click "Fishing," then "Fishing Reports." Scroll down to find the appropriate region of the state.

District fisheries biologists and department staff attempt to update fishing reports on individual lakes regularly whenever information is available. Reports are seasonal, usually starting in April and continuing through October. However, there may be times throughout the year when reports will be updated because new information is available or reports don’t change because new information is not available. In some instances, biologists are stationed a considerable distance away from a lake under their management and they may not have the latest information.

Before traveling a long distance to fish, it’s a good idea to check several sources for current lake information; call a local bait shop, state park office or local angler, in addition to checking the online fishing reports.