Kansas wildlife agency proposes shorter trout season, eases blue catfish limits; committee presses for data

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations heard testimony on a proposed agency regulation that would change several fishing creel limits, including shortening the trout season and loosening limits on blue catfish.

Curtis Wire, chief counsel for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, told the committee the regulation under review is K.A.R. 115-25-14 and that it updates creel limits based on fisheries science. "It shortens the trout season from November 1 through April 15 to December 1 to March 31," Wire said. He also said the agency was proposing to "liberalize the blue catfish restrictions in the state allowing anglers to harvest more" because fisheries staff concluded blue catfish now reproduce reliably and do not require continued stocking.

Committee members, including Senator Ole Warren and Representative Dan Carmichael, questioned the basis for the changes and asked whether the…