GENERAL INFORMATION

Fishing On The Missouri River And Browning Oxbow

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.

Licensing: 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.

Limitations: 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.

Species

Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Bass*

Crappie

Channel Catfish

Blue Catfish

Flathead Catfish

White Bass, Yellow Bass, Striped Bass*

W

Sauge

*Single

Blue Catfish On Southeast And Southcentral Kansas Rivers

The statewide daily creel limit on blue catfish is 5 fish per day, except there is a 10 fish daily creel limit on the entirety of the Caney River and all of its tributaries, the entirety of the Little Caney River and all of its tributaries, the Verdigris River from the OklahomaKansas state line to the Toronto Reservoir Dam and all of its tributaries including the Elk River to the Elk City Reservoir dam, the Fall River to the Fall River Reservoir Dam and Big Hill Creek to the Big Hill Reservoir Dam, the Neosho River from the Oklahoma-Kansas state line to the John Redmond Reservoir Dam and all its tributaries including Labette Creek to the Parsons City Lake Dam and Wolf Creek to the Coffey County Lake Dam, the Arkansas River from the OklahomaKansas state line to the 21st Street North Dam in Wichita, the Ninnescah River from its the confluence with the Arkansas River to its confluence with the South Fork of the Ninnescah River and the South Fork of the Ninnescah River to the Kingman City Lake Dam.

Length Limits

Blue catfish: NONE

Daily Creel Limits

Blue catfish: 10

NOTE: Any person under age 21 must complete an approved boater safety education course before operating a motorboat or sailboat on public waters in Kansas without being under direct and audible supervision. The law applies equally to residents and nonresidents. Get the Kansas Boating Regulations Summary wherever licenses are sold and at ksoutdoors.com.

REGULATION CHANGES: PFDs (LIFE-JACKETS)

The U.S. Coast Guard has initiated changes to the rules involving labeling of personal floatation devices, also known as life jackets. The following should help explain these changes coming in Kansas regulations.

The traditional life jacket “types categories” have gone away. This includes the Type I, II, III and IV wearable life jackets and the Type IV, throwable. Older labeled life jacket using the Type classification will still be legal only if U.S. Coast Guard approved, in good serviceable condition, of the proper size/fit and worn in compliance with the label of the jacket.

The new labeling requirement falls into one of two categories, “wearable” and “throwable”. Wearable life jackets will be divided into five buoyancy categories: 50, 70, 100, 150, and 275 Newtons (metric to harmonize with Canadian standards).

Choose the level of buoyancy for the type of activity. A higher number equals to greater buoyancy. Make sure the label states the jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved. Although a level 50 life jacket may be an available life jacket on the market, it will most likely not be a U.S. Coast Guard approved floatation device, so be vigilant in reading labels. The curved arrow indicates that the jacket is likely to turn an unconscious wearer face up in the water. A slash through the curve means the jacket will not perform this function.

For comparisons, the Type I jacket would carry either a rating of 100 or 150 Newtons and would upright an unconscious victim. The type II jacket would carry a rating of 70 newtons and would upright an unconscious victim. The type III jacket would also carry a rating of 70 newtons but would not be able to turn an unconscious victim with the face out of the water. A type IV throwable is labeled as a throwable device.

The type V jacket, also known as a special purpose vest may meet either a Type I, II, or III standard, but would now be either a 70, 100, 150 Newton rating with special icons to support the activity it is designed for.

Any vessel propelled by sail or machinery of any kind (including trolling motors) used on Kansas public waters must be registered. Boat registration fees are $42.50 for a three-year registration for all motor- or sail-propelled boats. Any boat required to be registered must have a Certificate of Registration on board and properly displayed registration numbers.

All boats, including kayaks and canoes, must be equipped with at least one wearable, Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) – serviceable and readily accessible – for each

Size And Fit

Check label for user weight and chest size. Different body types float differently.

A good fit is secure, comfortable, and adjustable.

Performance

person on board or being towed.

Persons 12 years and younger are required to wear PFDs when on board or being towed by any vessel.

In addition, boats 16 feet and longer, except kayaks and canoes, must be equipped with at least one throwable PFD on board. This applies to all vessels, and such devices must be readily accessible.

Motorboats may be used on state fishing lakes for fishing and hunting only, unless otherwise posted.

Lower number offers greater mobility, comfort, and style with good floatation for most people.

Higher number offers greater floatation, turning, and stability in the water.

Risk Management

In over 80 percent of boating fatalities, the person was not wearing floatation.

Most of these are sudden falls overboard or capsize of a smaller boat.

The first moments in the water are critical, even for experienced swimmers.

Cold water shock causes gasping, loss of muscle control and swim failure.

Long term immersion in cold water requires thermal protection and floatation position to conserve energy.