KDWP's view on Stripers

[Kansasoutdoorsman]

Craig,

I have seen a few attempts over the years to stock stripers to different lakes. I swear I even noticed a stocking report for Lycnge two years ago.

What's the current thought or plan to stock stripers in KS waters other than Wilson. You would think lakes like clinton (currently has a limit on them) and Melvern would be cool enough during the summer to support them.

Thank ya sir.

[Craig Johnson]

Craig,

I have seen a few attempts over the years to stock stripers to different lakes. I swear I even noticed a stocking report for Lycnge two years ago.

What's the current thought or plan to stock stripers in KS waters other than Wilson. You would think lakes like clinton (currently has a limit on them) and Melvern would be cool enough during the summer to support them.

Thank ya sir.

Springhill Duckman,

I took a look at the KDWPT fish stocking database and during the last 10 years stripers have been stocked at four reservoirs including Wilson, Glen Elder, Cheney, and LaCygne. If we go back longer than 10 years we can also add Melvern and Clinton to the list of reservoirs stocked with stripers. A few smaller lakes have also been stocked with stripers over the years.

The 2014 stocking requests have not been put together yet so I can't tell you what striper requests are for lakes next year.

Striper can be pretty touchy critters if they are in waters that are only marginally suited for supporting them. Stripers require cool water temperatures with good oxygen content during summer which can be a challenge in our Kansas reservoirs. Cheney, for example, is capable of supporting stripers most years but the years it isn't capable large die offs of stripers occur. Wiper are a better fit for many of the Kansas reservoirs as the hybrid striped bass (wiper) is capable of handling these warmer water temperatures while also continuing to thrive.

[Kansasoutdoorsman]

Thanks My Man,

I love to wiper fish and really enjoy striper fishing. It seems striper's grow much bigger and are very different in their patterns. It's one of those things where it would be fun to have more than one good striper fishery in the state and with their popularity at Texoma and Beaver just kind of makes you wonder if there is not one eastern KS res that could sustain a viable population(Melvern or Clinton). LaCynge would be the last lake I would of though would be a stocking option but you just never know. Thanks for looking into my random question...

Nick