Paddlefish Snagging season: New areas open to snagging

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will be opening two new areas to paddlefish snagging for the 2010 season.

The paddlefish season started on March 15 and runs through May 15 on areas of the Marais des Cygnes River from the north end of Unit G of the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area downstream through the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge to the stateline bridge.

The second area that will be opened to paddlefish snagging is on the Neosho River dam at US 54, along the west side of Iola. This is the area owned by the city.

These areas will be posted open with specific signs, designating the areas.

All paddlefish anglers must have a paddlefish permit and a Kansas fishing license (unless exempt) in possession while snagging. This permit costs $12.50 for adults and $7.50 for youth allows the harvest of six paddlefish.

Catch and release is allowed at the Iola area, but once a fish is placed on a stringer it becomes part of the daily creel.

There is a 34-inch length limit on any fish caught on the Marais des Cygnes.

For more information see the 2010 Kansas Fishing Regulations or call Fisheries Biologist Don George at (913) 795-2218.