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KDWP TO STOCK TROUT IN RIVER
ABOVE WEBSTER RESERVOIR
After five dry years, river
flow returns to levels that support stocking
Jan. 14, 2009 - In 2000, above average river
flows allowed the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
to experiment with seasonal rainbow trout stocking in the South
Fork of the Solomon River above Webster Reservoir. Habitat was
enhanced in three zones between the upper end of the reservoir
and the Damar Blacktop (2 Road) to help hold trout in place,
and fish were released in these locations in February and March
of that year. Fort Hays State University Biology Department staff
and students assisted with an environmental assessment of this
pilot project. Results were favorable, and trout were again stocked
in the river in the winter and spring of 2001 and 2002.
Dry conditions returned after the third year of
the program, and river flows were considered too low to support
a trout fishery in 2003. (A rate of flow exceeding 30 cubic feet
per second is considered adequate for supporting a seasonal trout
fishery in this stretch of river.) Drought was prevalent from
2003 through 2007. Then wet conditions throughout most of 2008
within much of the Solomon River Basin rejuvenated river flows.
As a result, KDWP biologists are planning to stock rainbow trout
in the river this year with the first release tentatively scheduled
for Jan. 26.
This year's program, in response to budget and
manpower limitations, will be a reduced version of the previous
efforts. For 2009, habitat will be enhanced in a single zone
that can be accessed at the N Road low-water crossing just west
of 5 Road. This will be the only site stocked this year. Anglers
should be able to find the best concentrations of trout within
a zone ranging approximately 12 mile upstream and 12 mile downstream
of the crossing. This site will likely be stocked again in March,
and possibly in February, depending upon flow and the amount
of angler use and harvest.
The stretch of the South Fork of the Solomon River
lying between the Damar Blacktop and Webster Reservoir is a Type
2 designated trout water, meaning that during trout season --
which runs Oct. 15-April 15 -- a trout permit is required for
anglers fishing for or possessing trout except that youth under
16 years of age may fish without a permit with a reduced daily
limit of two trout, or they can keep five per day if they possess
a permit. In addition, all residents 16 through 64 years old
and nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid fishing license.
Anglers fishing for or possessing only species
other than trout in this stretch of river during trout season
are not required to have a trout permit. All anglers may fish
for and possess trout without a permit once the season ends April
15.
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