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Programs & Services » Law Enforcement » Regulations & Statutes
The fishing regulations provided here are prepared as a guide for anglers but is not a complete list of regulations.
Special regulations for specific waters can be found on the the individual lake pages in the Community Fishing Lakes directory.
Kansas statutes can be found on the Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes webpage. KDWP statutes are primarily listed in Chapter 32.
Kansas regulations can be found on the Kansas Secretary of State's website. KDWP regulations are primarily listed in 115
Kansas public lands like state fishing lakes and wildlife areas have special use restrictions that can vary by location.
For more detailed legal information, please contact the KDWP's Law Enforcement Division.
For more information, see K.A.R. 115-08-19 and K.A.R. 115-08-01.
Anyone with a permanent physical disability that prevents them from fishing may apply for a Disability Assistance Permit. The permit holder may designate another person to take, on behalf of and while accompanied by the permit holder, the permit holder’s legal limit of game or fish. The person designated by the permit holder shall not be required to hold any licenses, permits, stamps. (This law also applies to hunting.) For more information or applications, contact KDWP, Law Enforcement Division, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124, (620) 672- 5911 or any KDWP regional office.
Bait fish (as defined) 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 fisherman's name and address); fishing line; or a dip or cast net with mesh no larger than 1/2 inch.
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. Nonsport fish 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.
Bullfrog season extends from July 1 through October 31. Daily creel limit is eight. Possession limit is 24 bullfrogs after the third day of the season. A valid fishing license is required for any person to take, catch, or kill bullfrogs, except persons exempt by law from having such license. Bullfrogs may be legally 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.
All fish taken shall have the head, body, and tail fin attached while in possession on the water. Sport fish taken must be kept until consumed, processed, taken home or given to another person, or released. Legally taken sport 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.
Artifical 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.
Creel Limit
The maximum number of a species of fish, turtle or frog that can be taken per person in a calendar day.
Culling
Replacing one live fish held by an angler for another live fish of the same species.
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.
Fishing Line
Any hand-operated string or cord, using hooks that may be used in conjunction with rods, poles, reels, bows, or spearguns.
Fish Ladder
A structure that facilitates the natural migration of fish upstream on, through or around an artificial barrier or dam.
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 6.)
Nonsport Fish
Carp, drum, grass carp, threadfin and gizzard shad, goldfish, gar, suckers (including carpsuckers and buffalo), eel, shovelnose sturgeon, goldeye, and bowfin.
Possession Limit
The maximum total number of a species that can be retained per person at one time.
Private Water Fishing Impoundments
One or more water impoundments:
Prohibited Species
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 Length Limit
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.
Snagging
The hooking of a fish in any part of its body other than the inside of the mouth.
Sport Fish
Take
To harass, harm, pursue, shoot, wound, kill, molest, trap, capture, collect, catch, possess or otherwise take or attempt to take.
Tip Up
An icefishing device designed to signal the strike of a fish.
Total Fish Length
The length as measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with mouth closed and tail lobes pressed together.
Trotline
A line anchored at one point, with more than two hooks and not more than twenty- five hooks, and not associated with a hand-operated mechanical reel.
Unattended Line
Any fishing line set to catch fish, including rod & reel, not immediately attended.
In agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation, KDWP has established special rules regarding the portion of the Missouri River that borders both Kansas and Missouri. All fish caught from the Missouri River Boundary Waters that are a size or number that is illegal to possess shall be released unrestricted to the water immediately.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Alert – Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, Zebra Mussels, and White Perch.
Anglers with either a valid Kansas or Missouri fishing license may fish any flowing portion and backwaters of the Missouri River and any oxbow lake through which the river flows. They may fish from and attach any legal fishing equipment to the land adjoining these waters
Tributaries of the Missouri may not be fished without a valid fishing license from the state through which the tributary flows. If any law or regulation governing fishing in the Missouri River is different from the corresponding law or regulation in the state for which the angler has a license, the more restrictive state’s law or regulation will apply. Each angler must keep all legally caught fish restrained separately from any other angler.
Floatline fishing is allowed year-round, 24 hours per day at the following locations:
Anglers will be allowed no more than eight ( 8 ) 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.
(Permit required for all ages)
Handfishing, for flathead catfish only, is legal from sunrise to sunset June 15 through August 31 at these locations:
A special permit ($27.50) is required in addition to a fishing license. Anyone handfishing may not use hooks, snorkeling or scuba gear, or any other man-made device OR possess any fishing gear except a stringer. Stringers may not be used until the fish are caught by hand and are at or above the surface of the water. No manmade object — such as a barrel, box, or bathtub — may be used to attract fish.
Icefishing with baited hooks or lures is legal on lakes, reservoirs, and streams. In addition to the allowed two rods, eight tip-ups 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.
Legal fish bait includes artificial lures, bait fish (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”, may be used, including sport fish of legal length taken by hook and line.
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
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 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.
Except for paddlefish and non-sport fish, which may be snagged in designated waters during designated seasons, fish hooked anywhere but in the mouth shall be returned immediately, unrestrained, to the water. Nonsport fish may be taken by gig, crossbow, and bow and arrow. Blue, channel and flathead catfish may be taken by bow and arrow where no length limits on catfish are in effect except in rivers and streams.
Residents age 16 through 74 must have a resident license in possession while fishing in Kansas, unless exempt by law. All nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid nonresident license to fish in Kansas. Most licenses expire 365 days from date of purchase or 365 days from the expiration date of your current license, except one-day, five-day, five-year, multi-year youth, and lifetime fishing licenses. Residents age 65-74 are eligible for fishing ($15), hunting ($15) or fishing/hunting combination ($25) licenses.
Landowners and their immediate family living with them, and tenants renting land for agricultural purposes and members of their immediate family living with them are exempt from fishing license requirements on waters on their own land, except as described below under “License Requirements on Private Land.” Resident is defined as a person who has maintained the person’s place of permanent abode in the state for 60 days immediately prior to purchase. Domiciliary intent is required, evidence of which may include the location where the person votes, pays personal income taxes or obtains a driver’s license. A residency of at least one year is required to purchase lifetime licenses. Residents who are enrolled as an American Indian on a tribal membership roll which is federally recognized by the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, may apply to KDWP for a free fishing license, which must be in possession when fishing. More information about American Indian Fishing, Hunting and Trapping License can be found on the License Information page.
Persons on active duty in the armed forces who entered the service while residents of Kansas may purchase resident fishing licenses. Nonresidents on active military duty stationed in Kansas and nonresident students going to school in Kansas qualify for resident fishing licenses, and they must have evidence of active duty or enrollment with them while fishing. Active members of the Kansas Army or Air National Guard are eligible for free fishing and hunting licenses and park permits. Legal Kansas residents who have been separated from the armed services under honorable conditions and have a disability certified by the Kansas Commission On Veterans Affairs as being service-connected and such disability is equal to or greater than 30 percent may apply through the Pratt Operations Office for free hunting and fishing licenses.
Applications are also available on the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com.
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.
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 rare.species@ks.gov, before releasing it back to the water.
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.
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.
The paddlefish snagging season is open March 15 through May 15 on posted areas inside Chetopa and Burlington city parks on the Neosho River; Neosho River at Iola, downstream from dam to city limits; Marais des Cygnes River below Osawatomie Dam, downstream to posted boundary; and Marais des Cygnes River on the upstream boundary of Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, downstream to the Kansas-Missouri border and the Browning Oxbow of the Missouri River. Paddlefish may be snagged using pole and line with not more than two single or treble barbless hooks. Catch and release is allowed in Burlington, Chetopa, and Iola except that once attached to a stringer, a fish becomes part of the daily creel. The daily creel limit for paddlefish is two and the season limit is six. On Missouri River boundary waters, there is a 24-inch minimum length limit. There is a 34- inch minimum length limit on the Marias des Cygnes River. Measure paddlefish from the front of the eye to the fork of the tail.
A paddlefish permit ($12.50, youth $7.50) includes six carcass tags. However, an angler younger than 16 may use an adult’s paddlefish permit while accompanied by that adult with at least one unused carcass tag in possession. Each paddlefish snagged and kept by the youth angler shall be included as part of the daily limit creel limit of the permit holder. Immediately upon attaching fish to stringer, anglers must sign a carcass tag, record the county/date/time of harvest, and attach the carcass tag to the lower jaw of the paddlefish taken. Anglers must stop snagging once the daily creel limit of paddlefish is reached.
Paddlefish caught outside the paddlefish season or in non-snagging areas may be kept if they are hooked in the mouth.
No person may possess paddlefish eggs attached to the egg membrane of more than one fish. No person may possess more than 3 pounds of processed paddlefish eggs or fresh paddlefish eggs removed from the membrane. No person shall ship into or out of, transport into or out of, have in possession with the intent to transport, or cause to be removed from this state any raw unprocessed paddlefish eggs, processed paddlefish eggs or frozen paddlefish eggs. A paddlefish carcass must have all entrails removed before it is transported from Kansas.
Nonsport fish (carp, drum, grass carp, threadfin and gizzard shad, goldfish, gar, suckers including carpsucker and buffalo, goldeye, and bowfin) may also be snagged in waters posted open to snagging during the paddlefish season. There are no limits on nonsport fish.
A fishing license is required on all public waters. In addition, a license is required for fishing on many private lands, including the following:
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.
Special events conducted on KDWP managed lands and waters require special event permits if one of the following conditions exists:
An event sponsored by KDWP does not require a special event permit. Applications for special event permits are available at KDWP offices. Each application for a special event permit shall be made to KDWP not less than five weekdays before the event. The special event permit fee is negotiated based on event type, required services, and lost revenue; the maximum fee is $200. Payment must accompany each application.
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.
Individual waters may have different length and creel limits than those listed below. Check individual listings on Pages 20-38.
| Type of Fish | Number of Fish | Length of Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 10 | |
| Blue catfish | 5 | |
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye (single species or in combination) | 5 | 15 inches |
| Rainbow trout, brown trout (single species or in combination) | 5 | |
| Black basses (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, single species or in combination) | 5 | 15 inches |
| Flathead catfish | 5 | |
| Northern pike | 2 | 30 inches |
| Striped bass | 5 | |
| Wiper (white bass/striped bass hybrid) | 5 | |
| Crappie | 50 | |
| White bass, bullhead, bluegill and all other legal species | No limit | |
| Paddlefish | 2 |
The statewide 15-inch length limit on walleye, sauger and saugeye does not apply to in rivers, streams and tailwaters.
All vessels used by participants in a weigh-in bass fishing tournament must have a working livewell that contains an electrolyte chemical-water solution, and the following procedures must be followed for weigh-in and release:
From Dec. 1 - March 31
In addition, all residents age 16-74 and nonresidents 16 and older must also have a valid fishing license.
Trout permits are available at KDWP offices , most county clerk offices, license vendors, or online at gooutdoorskansas.gov.
The permit is valid for 365 days from date of purchase.
Some local governments have their own trout stocking programs and may require a fee but not the state permit. Local city and county recreation departments have details. Approximate trout stocking dates and sites may be found online at ksoutdoors.com.
Limit: The daily creel limit is 5 trout unless otherwise posted. The possession limit is three times the daily creel.
Permit required: Dec. 1-March 31
Type 1 Water – Trout Permit Required of All Anglers
Type 2 Water – Trout Permit Required Only for Trout Anglers
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 three creel limits. A valid fishing license is required (unless exempt). Legal equipment: hand, hook and line, setline, hand dip net, seine, turtle trap, or gig.
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.
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