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Wildlife & Parks commission raises trout permit to $17.50, adopts five‑year senior licenses
Summary
The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks commission voted unanimously to increase the trout permit fee and to add five‑year resident senior hunting and fishing licenses as a temporary 'gap' measure; youth trout permit remains unchanged.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks commission voted unanimously to adopt a package of fee and license changes that raises the adult trout permit from $12 to $17.50 and creates five‑year resident senior licenses for hunting, fishing and combination licenses.
Assistant Director of Fisheries Management John Ranke told the commission the trout program’s costs—largely the price of purchased trout—have outpaced permit revenue and that previous steps (fewer stocking locations and a contracted season) did not fully close the gap. “Our goal in trying to modify our [trout] program is to fit program expenses closer to permit revenue,” Ranke said. He said the proposed trout permit increase could yield about $55,000 a year in additional revenue and combined with savings from reduced stocking could bring the program closer to balance.
The department also proposed, and the commission adopted, three additional resident senior licenses (five‑year hunting, fishing and combination licenses) under the secretary’s temporary authority described in KSA 32‑9100. Curtis, chief counsel, explained the five‑year licenses are intended as a gap measure while the legislature considers reauthorizing a $40 senior lifetime option. “If the legislature were to pass another bill lowering that back down to the previous $40, the intent would be to revoke these licenses and replace them with the cheaper fee,” Curtis said.
Commissioners asked about why the department could not simply sell a senior license for $40. Curtis answered that a separate statute requires a senior license offered under that authority to be at half the regular price; the department said offering a $40 price unilaterally would conflict with that statute. Commissioners also discussed administrative practicality: removing the senior license language from the promulgation now would require restarting the entire regulatory process, which would also delay the trout fee increase the department says it needs.
No increase was proposed or adopted for the youth trout permit (required for anglers 16 and under). Ranke said marketing trials and other non‑fee revenue efforts are expected to help the program’s finances in addition to the permit change.
The rulemaking package was adopted by roll call vote, 7–0.
What happens next: the new trout permit fee and the five‑year senior license language were adopted as part of the department’s regulations published in the Kansas Register; the department told the commission it will monitor program finances and the legislature may revoke or amend the gap licenses if it passes authorizing legislation.
Votes at a glance: The commission adopted the regulation that increases the trout permit to $17.50, leaves the youth permit unchanged, and adds five‑year resident senior licenses (roll call: 7 yes, 0 no).
