Kan. Admin. Regs. § 115-7-9

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 49, December 5, 2024

Section 115-7-9 - Weigh-in black bass fishing tournaments

(a) Each individual or organization conducting a weigh-in black bass fishing tournament shall ensure that all of the following minimum requirements are met when conducting weigh-in procedures:

(1) One individual shall provide work crew support for each 10 registered anglers.

(2) One weigh-in tank filled with an electrolyte chemical-water solution and fitted with recirculation and aeration accessories shall be maintained for each 25 registered anglers.

(3) If the water temperature at the tournament location is 75 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler, the water contained in the weigh-in tank shall be maintained at the same temperature as that of the tournament location water.

(4) If the water temperature at the tournament is warmer than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the water in the weigh-in tank shall be maintained at a temperature that is between five and 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the tournament location water but shall not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any time.

(5) Not more than four anglers shall be in the weigh-in line at any one time.

(6) Each weigh-in bag containing water from the well of the vessel shall be reinforced, reusable, and capable of holding up to 15 pounds of live fish and two gallons of water.

(7) The weigh-in site shall meet the following requirements:

(A) Be located near the vessel mooring site and the release site, vehicle, or vessel; and

(B) be located at all times under a portable awning, in an event tent, or in the shade.

(8) Only fish that meet the special length limit for the specific body of water where the weigh-in tournament is being conducted shall be weighed within the period beginning June 16 and ending August 31.

(b) Each individual or organization conducting the tournament shall ensure that all of the following minimum requirements are met when conducting the release procedures:

(1) The direct release of fish into the tournament location water after the weigh-in shall not be permitted.

(2) If the tournament is conducted with release tubes, vehicles, or vessels, the holding tanks shall contain a one-half percent noniodized salt solution.

(3) If the tournament is conducted without release tubes, vehicles, or vessels, the fish shall be dipped, for a period ranging from 10 seconds to 15 seconds before release, in a three percent noniodized salt solution having the same temperature as that of the water in the weigh-in tank.

(4) The release site shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Be located in water reaching at least three feet in depth with good circulation and a hard bottom; and

(B) be located away from vessel traffic and public-use vessel ramps.

(c) Each tournament participant shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Ensure that each well in the participant's vessel used in the tournament is properly working and contains an electrolyte chemical-water solution; and

(2) ensure that the participant's vessel used in the tournament is cleaned before and after the tournament in compliance with department guidelines regarding the prevention of aquatic invasive species.

(d) The provisions of paragraph (a)(7)(A) may be waived by the secretary within the period beginning September 1 and extending through June 15 if the proximity proposed to the release site does not pose an inordinate risk to the wildlife resource and all other requirements of this regulation are met.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 115-7-9

Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 32-807; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 32-807 and K.S.A. 32-1002; effective Jan. 1, 2008; amended April 11, 2008; amended Nov. 19, 2010; amended May 20, 2011; amended by Kansas Register Volume 43, No. 27; effective 7/19/2024.