March may have roared in like a lion, but it should be frolicking out like a lamb.

For Kansas anglers that means fishing will heat up at streams, lakes, and reservoirs across the state, so it’s time to re-spool line, stock up on lures, and perform spring boat maintenance. But the best preparation is finding out where the fish are.

Good fishing is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time, and Wildlife and Parks helps anglers find the best places with its annual fishing forecast.

The forecast caters to the needs of every fisherman. Some like to catch walleye, while others specialize in crappie. And there are those obsessed enough to tromp up and down rivers in search of spawning white bass. Whatever the angler’s desire, the fishing forecast is an essential tool.

The forecast is a compilation of biologists’ samplings and creel survey data that not only predict which lakes will have the best sport fish populations but also where anglers will have the best chance of catching lunker-sized fish.

Information is formulated from data collected by fisheries management biologists through annual lake monitoring activities, which include test netting and electroshocking. The data is separated into two categories  reservoirs (larger than 1,000 acres) and lakes (smaller than 1,000 acres).

However, not every lake is sampled each year, so some lakes are not included.

Tables have been created for 11 popular species and include a Density Rating, a Preferred Rating, a Lunker Rating, Biggest Fish, Biologist’s Rating, and Acres (size of impoundment).

The Density Rating is the number of fish that were quality size or larger sampled per unit of sampling effort. Quality size is the length of fish considered acceptable to most anglers and is different for each species.

The higher the Density Rating, the more quality size or larger fish per surface acre in the lake. Theoretically, a lake with a Density Rating of 30 has twice as many quality size fish per acre as a lake with a Density Rating of 15.

The Preferred Rating identifies how many above-average-size fish a water contains. For example, a lake may have a good density of crappie but few fish over 10 inches. The Preferred Rating tells which lake to go to for a chance to catch bigger fish.

The Lunker Rating is similar to the Density Rating, but it tells you the relative density of lunker-sized fish in the lake. A lunker is a certain length of fish considered a trophy by most anglers. It also differs with each species.

Anglers can use the Density Rating and Lunker Rating together. For high numbers, go with the highest Density Rating. Those who want only big fish will go with the Lunker Rating. Somewhere in the middle might be better choice for others.

The Biggest Fish column lists the weight of the largest fish caught during sampling.

The fishing forecast can be viewed at the KFWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, or the brochure may be picked up and department offices.

For information, you can call 620 672-5911 or email feedback@wp.state.ks.us.