Volume 45 - Issue 6 - February 5, 2026
State of Kansas
Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission
Notice of Hearing on Proposed Administrative Regulations
A public hearing will be conducted by the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission (the Commission) at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison St., Room 360, Topeka, KS 66612, to consider the approval and adoption of proposed administrative regulations of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Other Commission business will follow and will include general discussions, which may include educational presentations, workshop sessions, and public comment opportunity following the public hearing. The meeting will continue until all business is complete. The public hearing will be conducted in person and via video conferencing system.
This 60-day notice period prior to the hearing constitutes the public comment period for the purpose of receiving written public comments on the proposed administrative regulations. All interested parties may submit written comments prior to the hearing to the Chair of the Commission, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612, or to megan.deters@ks.gov, if submitted electronically. All interested parties will be given a reasonable opportunity at the hearing to express their views orally regarding the adoption of the proposed regulations. During the hearing, all written and oral comments submitted by interested parties will be considered by the Commission as a basis for approving, amending and approving, or rejecting the proposed regulations.
Copies of the complete text of the regulations and economic impact statement may be obtained by writing the Chair of the Commission at the address above, may be accessed electronically on the Department’s website at http://www.ksoutdoors.gov, or by calling 785-296-6373.
Any individual with a disability may request an accommodation to participate in the public hearing and may request the proposed regulations and economic impact statement in an accessible format. Requests for accommodation to participate in the hearing should be made at least ten (10) business days in advance of the hearing by contacting Megan Deters at 785-296-6373. Anyone with a hearing impairment may call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 800-432-0698 to request special accommodations.
Summaries of the proposed regulations and their economic impact follow. (Note: Statements indicating that “The proposed amendment/new regulation will have minor to no economic impact” are intended to indicate that no economic impact on the Commission, other state agencies, persons subject to the proposed regulations, or the general public have been identified.)
K.A.R. 115-7-1
This permanent regulation establishes the legal equipment and methods for taking fish. The regulation is being changed to provide anglers a new opportunity to snag invasive fish species, particularly Bighead and Silver Carp in the Kansas River. Other structural changes to the regulation are being made to make it more understandable to the public.
Economic Impact
No substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.
K.A.R. 115-7-4
This permanent regulation sets the legal methods for possessing and processing fish. The regulation is being changed to clarify that common carp and prohibited fish species may be returned dead to the water from which they were taken.
Economic Impact
No substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.
K.A.R. 115-7-10
This permanent regulation sets special fishing provisions. The regulation is being changed to allow the Department to establish aquatic invasive species waters by posted notice rather than through a public reference document.
Economic Impact
No substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.
K.A.R. 115-18-8
This permanent regulation establishes the extent to which hunters and anglers must go through to retrieve a wounded or dead animal. The regulation is being changed to clarify that anglers can catch and release live sport fish only when caught using hook and line, trotlines, setlines, tip-ups, hand fishing, snagging, and floatlines.
Economic Impact
No substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.
Whitney Damron
Chair
Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission
Doc. No. 053851
