"It's basically about the same amount of money that they were receiving from charging the additional fees," said Nygren. "And the good news is that the entire cost of the program is federally reimbursable to the tune of about $800,000 a year."

That money comes from federal dollars derived from excise taxes on fishing equipment. The KDWP is responsible for a 25 percent cost-share for the program, but even that money is reimbursed to the state since it's related to the operation and maintenance of the fishery and facilities performed by local governments. Things like mowing, boat ramp maintenance and filling fish feeders are used as the state's match. In short, it doesn't cost the KDWP any additional money to fund this program.

"It's a great situation and really doesn't cost the angler anything other than a Kansas fishing license," Nygren said.

If you added up the total acreage of all the water that now falls under this new program, it would be equivalent to Kansas' fourth-largest reservoir. "We've got about 215 lakes and more than 12,000 acres enrolled in the program," said Jessica Mounts, CFAP coordinator for the KDWP. "We'll likely add a few more in 2007."

Likely the biggest advantage to this program is the diversity. The 215 bodies of water enrolled are spread out all over the state, and so there's probably one close enough for just about everyone to visit. Youth fishing clubs are one group taking advantage of these new lakes.

Sam Starr and Kolby Martin, 13-year-old members of McPherson's Junior Bassmasters Club, have started fishing Marion County Lake, and will probably fish Herington City Lake now as well. This gives them more places to fish that aren't so far away.

Kansas has many bass anglers and clubs scattered across the state that take advantage of these public waters. Many hold local and regional tournaments at various times throughout the year. One recent change in regulations will allow these tournaments a different twist at weigh-in time.

"It's called the Bass Pass Program," Nygren said. "They can have an 18-inch (or 21-inch) minimum-length limit on largemouth bass and hold a tournament on that lake and keep two short fish, which will open up opportunities for people to use more of the CFAP lakes for weigh-in tournaments."

Bass tournament organizers must register the event with the KDWP. Registration is free, but each participant must have a $10 Bass Pass in possession during the event.

"Those registered tournaments can only occur during the cooler months of the year, as we won't issue any permits for the Bass Pass in the heat of the summer (June 15 to Aug. 31)," Nygren said. "And it won't be a full creel, as they'll only be able to keep two short fish, 15 inches or larger, but smaller than whatever the posted limit is, like an 18 or 21."