Some fish are harder to catch than others in Kansas but a few species are considered truly unusual to come across by the public or anglers casting lines at their favorite fishing spots. What are the most rare fish to catch in Kansas and, what should you do, if you happen to catch one?
The Kansas Department of Wildlife says one rare species that could be encountered by the average angler is the american eel. These fish, which spawn in the Sargasso Sea in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and travel across great distances, are occasionally found in Kansas waters. In order to make it to Kansas, they have to trek through many locks and dams, but, despite this, eels are reported by fisherman once every few years or so, particularly in the Kansas River.
The most rare catch might be a lake sturgeon. Only 16 have ever been caught in Kansas over the past 30 years. They can reach ages up to 152 years old. Another fish that is fairly rare to come across is the brown bullhead catfish. It is the only type of catfish found in Kansas that is not native to the state. The last stocking of brown bullhead was in the early 1950’s but they are still occasionally reeled in.
