Kansas fishermen should benefit now that Wildlife and Parks has launched the Community Fisheries Assistance Program.

Using federal dollars derived from excise taxes on fishing equipment, the state agency has leased fishing rights to 215 community lakes statewide — including Douglas County’s Lone Star Lake — removing fees and improving access to nearly 12,000 acres of fishing waters.

All a person needs at those lakes is a Kansas fishing license (unless exempt by law).

Before CFAP about 55 percent of community fishing lakes, including Lone Star, charged anglers an access fee.