Marion Reservoir Fishing Report -
Species Rating Size Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussels     Zebra mussels can be found attached to rocks lakewide. Zebra mussel veligers are too small to be seen with the unaided eye and they can be found in boat livewells, minnow buckets, boat bilges, water toys and anything else that is capable of holding even a small amount of water. Be sure to drain all equipment before leaving the lake to avoid moving veligers to other waters. THIS INCLUDES MINNOW BUCKETS, BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!
Channel Cat     Cats are being caught shallow during the warmer weather.  Shad sides and cut bait are great late winter/early spring baits for channel catfish. Shallow points and flats where the wind is blowing in are productive areas.
White Crappie Fair up to 13 inches

20/day creel limit

Anglers are having fair success recently.  Crappie are moving shallow for the spawn. Look for shallow brush or cover in areas with a rocky, gravelly bottom, or sandy substrate.  Crappie action will improve with stable weather patterns.

Walleye Slow to Fair  

NEW WALLEYE HARVEST REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022.

18 INCH MINIMUM LENGTH LIMIT 3/DAY CREEL LIMIT WITH NO MORE THAN ONE FISH 21 INCHES OR LONGER.

The spawn is nearly over and walleye will be moving to areas with deeper water to recuperate.  Walleye fishing is typically slow during this transition out of the spawn.  Walleye will move on to points and shallow flats in a couple weeks and fishing for them will be much more productive.  Anglers were reporting slow action this week.

White Bass Fair to Good up to 14 inch White bass and wipers are roaming the open water and are where you find them.  They aren't staying in one location for very long.  Good areas are points and flats where wind is pushing in waves.  Windy areas of the dam can be great for white bass this time of year.
Wiper Fair to Good 18 to 24 inches See white bass report
Coordinates for habitat cubes    

4 cubes N38 22.450’ W 097 04.669’

4 cubes N38 22.455’ W 097 04.664’

4 cubes N38 22.426’ W 097 04.694’

3 cubes N38 22.757’ W 097.05.227’

3 cubes N38 22.763’ W 097 05.211’

3 cubes N38 23.407’ W 097 05.460’

2 cubes N38 23.467’ W 097 05.384’

2 cubes N38 23.478’ W 097 05.399’

4 cubes N38 23.481’ W 097 05.408’

Coordinates for brushpiles and cubes.   The first 3 coordinates are for one large brushpile. Coordinates mark areas with multiple habitat structures in the area.

N 38 21.907' W 097 05.562'

N 38 21.912' W 097.05.560'

N 38 21.920' W 097.05.557'

N 38 22.425' W 097 04.697'

N 38 22.767' W 097 05.208'

N 38 22.757' W 097 05.227'

N 38 23.250' W 097 05.491'

N 38 23.357' W 097 05.470'

Coordinates for brushpiles   Near shore brushpile placements fishable from shore in Cottonwood Cove.

N 38 23.438' W 097 05.398'

N 38 23.436' W 097 05.404'

N 38 23.428' W 097 05.402'

N 38 23.426' W 097 05.405'

N 38 23.499' W 097 05.393'

N 38 23.489' W 097 05.399'

N 38 23.480' W 097 05.401'

N 38 23.472' W 097 05.398'

Coordinates for brushpiles constructed March 2018    

N 38 24.459' W 097 06.907'

N 38 24.450' W 097 06.975'

N 38 22.685' W 097 06.279'

N 38 22.680' W 097 06.279'

N 38 22.216' W 097 06.065'

Coordinates for historical habitat sites that had brush added to them in March 2018.    

N 38 21.911' W 097 05.569'

N 38 22.426' W 097 04.702'

N 38 22.776' W 097 05.220'

Coordinates for new brushpiles constructed April 2019    

N 38 23.464' W 097 05.412'

N 38 23.149' W 097 05.476'

N 38 23.169' W 097 05.516'

General Comments
4.3 feet below Normal Pool, releasing 2 CFS.  Marion Cove boat ramp is the best ramp for launching with the low water level.