How bad is the drought in parts of Kansas? Due to the drought conditions and resulting minimal inflow to Ellis City Lake, having detrimental effects on the fish population, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, is allowing the public to salvage fish at the lake. When a Public Fish Salvage in in effect, the public may collect any remaining fish in the designated waterbody by any legal methods, as well as by hand, dip net or seine. The Ellis City Lake Fish Salvage Order also temporarily removes all daily creel limits and size limits. Fish in the lake include bluegill, black bullhead, channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass, saugeye and wiper. Other water bodies in the area are considering a temporary fish salvage also.
Over 97% of the State is in some type of drought condition. Parts of Franklin, Miami, Douglas and Osage Counties are considered abnormally dry. Southern Franklin and Miami Counties, along with Anderson and Linn Counties, are listed in a moderate drought. Southern Anderson County is in severe drought. The USDA estimates that over 12,500 acres of soybeans, 5,300 acres of corn and over 3,500 head of livestock are affected, in some way, by drought in Franklin County.
