Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commissioners have approved a new blue catfish harvest regulation. The new regulation, now in effect, includes a creel limit of 10 blue catfish per day with no more than one fish measuring 30 inches or longer. Most of the reservoirs that contain blue catfish were stocked within the last 20 years, making the species relatively new to Kansas fisheries. Kansas Fisheries Biologist Craig Johnson says it takes 8 to 14 years for blue cats to reach 30 inches long. The new regulation encourages angler harvest, which is necessary to provide desired densities in Kansas waters. Blue catfish harvest should focus on smaller fish less than 30 inches, especially fish between 18 and 28 inches, while releasing the larger fish to fight again. He says releasing the smaller blues with the idea that they’ll grow larger isn’t the best approach in lakes with limits encouraging harvest. He adds to take your blues home, and they make for a great fish fry, and you’ll know you’re helping improve the fisheries in Kansas.
