LivewellKansas · Sedgwick County · River
Arkansas River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Arkansas River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
2 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
Kansas also has statewide guidance
Kansas publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 9 recommendations covering 9 species — in addition to anything listed for Arkansas River below.
Strictest statewide rule: Flathead Catfish — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Arkansas River
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from Arkansas River
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Kansas's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Spotted Bass | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 50 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Bass | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Striped Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Blue Catfish | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Flathead Catfish | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Rainbow Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Kansas — Kansas KDWP