The Department has been summarizing tournament catches of black bass since 1977. These data have been provided by event organizers or club officers primarily on a voluntary basis. Fisheries biologists use the data to understand relative abundances and length frequencies of bass in these impoundments. This information can be used in addition to their standard sampling data to help evaluate management activities.

The Department encourages tournament organizers to voluntarily provide their tournament results. Please download an online copy of the "Kansas Bass Tournament Log" to record your results and submit them to the tournament monitoring coordinator.

To submit your "Kansas Bass Tournament Log," you may do one of the following:

1. Mail it to Attn: Tournament Coordinator, Emporia Survey and Research Office, PO Box 1525, Emporia KS 66801

2. Fax it to (620) 342-6248 or

3. Leave a message on "Contact the tournament monitoring coordinator" to receive an email address to send your results as an email attachment.

Tournament Monitoring Reports

The tournament black bass pass may be purchased online, or any location where fishing and hunting licenses are sold.

Please note: Each individual wishing to utilize the Tournament Black Bass Pass must purchase this permit, regardless of age or exemption status.

Anglers participating in a weigh-in tournament who hold a tournament black bass pass (TBBP) are given two privileges:

1. In a weigh-in tournament conducted September 1 - June 15, an angler may keep five fish, to be released after tournament weigh-in, that meet the statewide 15-inch minimum length limit but are under a special length limit for that fishing location.
2. A black bass pass allows those participating in a weigh-in tournament to cull his or her catch after reaching the daily creel limit, by releasing a small fish and replacing it with a larger one, from January 1 through December 31.

• One individual work crew support for each 10 anglers
• One weigh-in tank filled with an electrolyte-water chemical solution and fitted with recirculation and aeration accessories for every 25 anglers
• If the water temperature at the tournament location is 75°F or cooler, water in the weigh-in tank shall be maintained at the same temperature
• If the water temperature at the tournament location is warmer than 75°F, water in the weigh-in tank shall be 5 to 10° cooler but shall not exceed 85°F
• Not more than 4 anglers shall be in the weigh-in line at any one time
• Weigh-in bags containing livewell water shall be reinforced, reusable, and capable of holding up to 15 pounds of live fish and 2 gallons of water
• The weigh-in site shall be located near the vessel mooring site and the release site, vehicle, or vessel and under a portable awning, event tent, or in the shade

Minimum requirements for releasing bass during a weigh-in tournament include:

• Fish shall not be released directly into the water after being weighed
• If release tubes, vehicles, or vessels are used, holding tanks shall contain a ½ percent noniodized salt solution
• If release tubes, vehicles, or vessels are not used, fish must be dipped in a 3 percent noniodized salt solution the same temperature the lake water for 10-15 seconds before being released
• The release site must have water at least 3 feet deep with good circulation and a hard bottom
• The release site must be located away from vessel traffic and public-use vessel ramps
• Each participant’s vessel used in the tournament should be cleaned before and after the tournament in compliance with department guidelines regarding the prevention of aquatic nuisance species (ANS).