Kansas wildlife officials make changes to trout season

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Anglers looking to hook a trout or two will find that some adjustments have been made to the special fishing season in Kansas.

Laura Clawson with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) announced in a press release on Nov. 27 that wildlife officials have made some changes to the season. Many of these changes were made after angler feedback. The KDWP has adjusted the season with the following:

• Trout will be stocked around Dec. 1, Jan. 1 and Feb. 1 to align the season with the most popular months anglers choose to go trout fishing. This also aims to bring down the risk to fish health brought on by warmer waters still present in November.
• Anglers can fish for trout without a permit after March 31. However, the daily creel limit of five trout and a possession limit of 15 will still be in place.
• The KDWP will focus on fewer, higher-density stockings at each site to give anglers better opportunities to catch fish at popular locations. For a list of trout stocking locations in Kansas, click here.

“The adjustments introduced last year were well-received, allowing us to offer anglers a quality experience while keeping costs manageable,” said Jeff Conley, a KDWP Fisheries program specialist. “All stocked trout will be a catchable size, with a few trophy-sized fish included to make the season more memorable.”

Clawson said the KDWP plans to stock around 62,000 pounds of rainbow trout at more than 30 bodies of water for the 2024-2025 season. Anglers can expect to occasionally catch rarer versions of the trout that are palomino or golden in appearance.

People who want to go fishing for trout in Kansas will need to have a fishing license along with a $14.50 trout permit. Kansans who are 15-years-old or younger are not required to have a fishing license but must have a $7 youth trout permit. You can learn more about trout fishing in Kansas by clicking here.

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