Region 5 Fishing Reports

Crappie

Good

8-10 inches

Crappie have moved into the backs of coves near water willow. Look for fish shallow right on the edge of water willow.

Channel Catfish

Fair

14-22 inches

Look for channel catfish on the north end of the reservoir, particularly around Rea Bridge. Shad sides, worms, and livers have all been productive

Largemouth Bass

Fair

8-18 inches

Largemouth bass catch has increased with warmer water temperature. Bass are in a pre-spawn pattern now so try reaction baits along the shoreline.

Water temperature at the Mound Valley boat dock was 58

on 05/07/2013.

The Mound Valley ramp and Timber Hill ramp are both usable.

We have created a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that subscribe to it. This newsletter is for fishing information for the Independence District(Montgomery, Wilson, and Labette counties) only.

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Excellent

10-20"

Both species are present in this lake, and offer great fishing throughout the year especially during the later and earlier parts of the year. Anglers have good success with both species in the warm water discharge during the winter and early spring months.

Walleye

Fair

up to 25"

Fair to good walleye angling can be expected with most fish ranging from 13-18" but fish over 21" are available.

Channel Catfish

Good

up to 5 lbs.

Good channel cat fishing can be expected lake wide.

Blue Catfish

Good

up to 35"

The blue catfish population is doing well, and many anglers have experienced good success with blue catfish drifting with cut bait around the warm water. Reports of fish over 20 lbs. are not uncommon, and fish over 50 lbs. have also been recorded.

White Bass

Excellent

8-16"

There is an excellent population of white bass in this lake. White bass is one of the most caught species in the lake. Anglers have success lake wide on twister tails and small jigs and spinners.

Crappie

Good

up to 15"

Crappie fishing will continue to be good. Fish 10-12" are common and fish greater than 12" are readily available.

Wipers

Fair

2-5 lbs.

Wiper fishing will be fair. A few fish around the 4-5 lb. range are available but the overall numbers are low.

Current Fishing Opportunity

largemouth bass

good

8 in to 18 inches

crankbaits or slow rolling spinnerbaits near the rip rap

walleye

slow-fair

14-25 inches

trolling with crankbaits or jig tipped with nightcrawler along the flats

channel catfish

good

1/2-5 lbs

shad sides, stink bait, or worms on the flats

smallmouth bass

good-excellent

10-20 inches

plastics and jerkbaits along riprap

white bass

excellent

8-15 inches

shad imitation crank bait, road runner, or plastic shad

wipers

good

2-5 lbs

shad imitation crank bait, road runner, or plastic shad on windy points

crappie

good

11-15 inches

Crappie are up shallow doing their thing jigs under a bobber seem to be working the best.

Entrance gate phone number is 620-364-2475 call for lake conditions.

ZEBRA MUSSELS have been confirmed in Coffey County Lake! Please help stop the spread. Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat and livewell after leaving this lake. It is illegal to transport live fish, bait, and water from this lake.

For more information on waters in Anderson, Allen, Coffey, and Woodson counties click the following link to sign up for the New Strawn District Fisheries Newsletter. http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-New-Strawn-Fishing-District

Crappie

Good

8-14 inches

Crappie fishing has been very good with the stable water pattern. State park cove and by the intake tower have been the most effective places to fish.

Channel catfish

Fair

10-25 inches

Some anglers had luck in flooded vegetation during the last period of high water.

White bass

Fair

8-16 inches

There are white bass upstream in the Elk River, but fishing success has been sporadic. The most popular spot is near the old iron bridge on CR 1550. Twirl tail grubs, marabou jigs, or spinners are the most popular lures.

Outlet

Good

Anglers have success targeting blue, channel, and flathead catfish during periods of water release from the reservoir.

Water temperature on 05/01 was 64 in the main lake

The Elk City State Park boat ramp is usable.

Current water levels and discharge can be viewed HERE.

We have created a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that subscribe to it. This newsletter is for fishing information for the Independence District(Montgomery, Wilson, and Labette counties) only.

The Elk City State Park Youth/Mentor pond is now open. The pond is open to anglers 15 and younger as well as their mentor. A mentor may take more than one youth fishing, but only one mentor may fish per youth they accompany. Two channel catfish can be harvested daily, but largemouth bass are catch and release only. See the park office for more information.

channel catfish

good

13% 11"-16"

33% 16"-24"

53% 24"-28"

0% >28"

Worm, stink bait, or shad sides in mouth of river.

crappie

good

70% 5"- 8"

8% 8"-10"

14% 10"-12"

8% 12"-15"

1% 15"+

Jig or minnow on gravel and rocky shorelines.

largemouth bass

poor

43% 8"-12"

22% 12"-15"

29% 15"-20"

7% >20"

The main body of the reservoir doesn't have the necessary largemouth bass habitat to support a high density bass population. However, the flooded timber and clearer water in the backwater section of the river produces a fair density bass population. There were 14 bass per hour of electrofishing around the Ladd Bridge section of the river. The ideal catch rate would be 100 bass per hour. Jig, worm, spinner or crank bait around stumps in river.

white bass

fair

11% 6"- 9"

14% 9"-12"

46% 12"-15"

29% >15"

Plastic shad, jig, spinner, or immitation shad crank bait around brush in river and rocky shorelines.

The size structure listed for largemouth bass is from May 2012 electrofishing. The size structure listed for crappie, white bass and channel catfish is from October 2011 test netting.

Sign up to receive a copy of the Fall River District Fisheries Newsletter.

For more information about the Fall River Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters.

Channel, blue and flathead catfish,

Slow

all sizes,

Fishing is better at the hot water outlet area, Use sunfish or cutshad,worms, liver, prepared baits. The lake has big flathead and blues to catch.

Crappie

Slow/Good

all sizes

fish are Off/On, when they are On the fishing is good, try the tubes at the plant entrance, the outlet at the dam, center lake over the bridge, best on minnows some on jigs white/blue, most fish over 10 - 12 inches

Largemouth bass

Slow/Improving

varies

bass are best at the hot water outlet area or alog the riprap, use cranks, plastic worms, lizards or spinner baits like shad imitations

white bass

Slow

varies, some 1.5 pounds

use shad imitations, silver spoons big jigs, or cut shad. best at the hot water outlet,

wiper

Slow

some up to 12 pounds

trolling with sassy shads, best at the hot water outlet area, with crankbaits, spoons, or cut shad

Water levels are normal but good for fishing. Recent bass sampling indicates that La Cygne produces some of the best large largemouth bass in the state. Boat ramps are okay to use, except the north county park boat ramp.

Fishing at La Cygne produces a mixed bag of fish from big blue or flathead catfish, to white bass and wipers or crappie and largemouth bass. Good shoreline angler access is provided by the Linn County Park on the west side of the lake. Anglers can walk in to the hot water outlet area from the east parking lot. The location is: at 69 HWY and Ks HWY 152, go east on E.2200 Rd., turn north at Young Rd. and go West at E. 2400 Rd. to the parking lot. Unload gear and walk west down the trail to where the hot water from the power plan empties into the lake.

Results from the March 10 bass tournament is:l Despite the cold rainy weather and lack of fish numbers the tournament was successful. 18 boats showed up. Most teams brought in 1 to 2 fish. A father son team brought in the biggest bag...3 fishing weighing just over 17 pounds!!! It was an awesome bag. The son also got big fish with a 7.75 and the dad came up just short of that with a 7.1! All in all it was a good day.

Call the Linn County Park at 913-795-6633 for more information or camping, and cabins reservations.

Get the family, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment. Don't move water from any impoundment.

Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today!

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

Anglers when fishing at the hot water outlet,or at the outlet gate at the dam, DO NOT GO OVER THE CABLES. FISHING IN A RESTRICTED AREA COULD GET YOU ARRESTED.

Fisheries Newsletter

If you would like to receive additional information about this lake a couple of times a year, sign up for the newsletter at the following link http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Lawrence-Fishing-District

Crappie

Fair-Good

0.33-1.5 lbs

On jigs and minnows from the bank in about 3-10 feet of water from Turkey Point and west to bridge.

Boat ramp conditions

All ramps in CORPS Parks and State Park have sufficient depth for launching.

Lake level was 2.65' below normal, release = 20 cfs, and temperature = 63 F, May 16 .Melvern Reservoir has Zebra Mussels, Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat and fishing equipment when leaving the lake to keep from spreading them to other lakes.

channel catfish

SLOW

2 - 7 pounds

Use worms or dip baits and crappie entrails or cutshad, stink/prepared baits, The fishfeeders are OFF. Lakewide or stilling basin.

Walleye

Slow

varies

the walleye population is improving, tryoff windy points, crank baits or jigs tipped with nightcrawler

White bass/Wipers

SLOW

varies

lakewide and the windy side of the points, minnows or shad colored lures, off the COE Swim beach

Crappie

SLOW

most were 9 - 14 inches

lakewide, marina docks, over brushpiles, black and pink tube jigs, minnows.about 6 ft., most fish are over 10 inches, fish are slowly moving in

When large releases of water occur at the stilling basin then fishing there can be better. For additional information, water temperature, release rates, please check:http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/po/daily.cfm .

Have FUN,Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment.

Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today! If you can locate the schooled crappie at this time it can be very rewarding. Rangers have constructed some spawning fish habitat which should improve spring fishing success. These areas are located near North Shore Marina and the Rock Quarry and near Adams Grove and Wolf Creek Park.

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

.

channel catfish

good

27% 11"-16"

34% 16"-24"

37% 24"-28"

2% >28"

Worms, stink bait, or shad sides at mouth of river.

largemouth bass

poor

39% 8"-12"

26% 12"-15"

35% 15"-20"

0% >20"

The main body of the reservoir doesn't have the necessary largemouth bass habitat to support a high density bass population. However, the flooded timber and clearer water in the backwater section of Walnut Creek produces a fair density bass population. There were 17 bass per hour of electrofishing sampled in Walnut Creek. The ideal catch rate would be 100 bass per hour. Jig, spinner, worm, or crank bait around stumps in river.

white bass

good

2% 6"-9"

55% 9"-12"

27% 12"-15"

16% 15"-18"

Plastic shad, jig, spinner or immitation shad crank bait around stumps and rocky shorelines.

white crappie

good

76% 5"-8"

5% 8"-10"

8% 10"-12"

11% 12"-15"

1% 15"+

Jig or minnow on gravel and rocky shorelines in Mann's Cove, Toronto Point Cove, and north side of Duck Island.

The size structure listed for largemouth bass is from May 2012 electrofishing. The size structure for crappie, white bass, and channel catfish is from October 2012 test netting.

Sign up to receive a copy of the Fall River/Toronto District Fisheries Newsletter.

For more information about the Fall River/Toronto Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters.

Black Bass

SLOW

12-18 inches

fish the shoreline and piers, use spinners,minnows, crankbaits, lakewide along cover in and around the piers,

Bluegill/redear sunffish

Slow

all sizes

slow fish along the piers with jig, worm under a float

Walleye

Slow

varies

try the dam on windy, cloudy days off the creek channel dropoffs, with crank baits or jigs,

Channel Catfish

SLOW

12-26 inches

use cut bluegill/stink baits, lakewide,

Crappie

Slow/Improving

8 - 12 inches and up

along the dam,--over brushpiles,near dropoffs, minnows, jigs ,

The water level is great. Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don t Go. Buy your state fishing license and go fishing. This is a great family fishing lake with good shoreline access and bathrooms. The fish feeders are OFF.

Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment.

Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today!

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

Bluegill / redear

Good

6 - 8"

Try worms or small jigs and spinners fished slowly around weedlines and structure. Many bluegill and redear have moved into shallower water to spawn.

Channel catfish

Good

All sizes

Try liver, prepared baits, live bait, shad sides, or worms. The four feeders are now in operation. The timers are set to disperse feed four times daily (7:00 am,1:00pm, 7:00 pm, and 1:00am).

Crappie

Fair/Good

Mostly 7-9 inch fish.

Try minnows or small jigs near brush and structure. Many small 7-9 inch fish are available with some bigger fish mixed in. Many crappie have moved into shallower water to spawn. There are ten brush piles marked with fish attractor bouys that often hold fish.

Largemouth bass

Fair

All sizes

Try jigs, plastic baits, spinner baits, or crank baits fished along weedlines, drop-offs, brush piles, and other structure.

Surface water temperature is ~70 degrees. Water level is full pool.

Bluegill & Redear

good

46% 4-7"

39% 7-9"

15% 9-11"

Bluegill and redear sunfish are most easily caught on 2-6 pound test line, a number eight hook baited with a worm, grasshopper, or cricket, a single split shot for weight, and a small bobber or simply tight line. They can be caught around rocks on jetties, brush piles, and over aquatic vegetation. Dry flies and poppers over spawning beds are also effective.

Channel Catfish

good

84% 11-16"

12% 16-24"

2% 24-28"

2% 28-36"

Channel catfish are typically caught on or near the bottom on worms, shad sides, or stink bait work. They can be caught in coves around feeders and along the weed line. Channel catfish congregate at the inlet when rain water is running into the lake.

Largemouth Bass

good

39% 8-12"

58% 12-15"

2% 15-20"

1% >20"

Artificial baits such a spinners, jigs, beetle spins, plastic worms, and surface lures work very well for largemouth bass. Natural baits such as minnows, worms, crayfish, and grasshoppers are also excellent choices. Bass can be caught around rock jetties, brush piles, and edges of aquatic vegetation. Big bass will hit any of the above baits but not as readily as smaller fish. Technique is important if you want to catch big bass.

Crappie

good

30% 5-8"

22% 8-10"

11% 10-12"

37% 12-15"

Due to very clear water in Lyon SFL, crappie are most easily caught on light line. Small jigs or minnows are best fished around brush piles and aquatic vegetation edges. Due to clear water, fish spook easily so be stealthy.

Size structure listed for largemouth bass is from May 2012 electrofishing. The size structures listed for crappie, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish are from and October 2012 test netting.

The American Pond Weed and Sago Pond Weed form dense mats that make fishing difficult in shallow water during summer. Use top water baits, weedless hooks, or fish the edges.

For more information about the Fall River/Toronto Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters.

Bluegill / Redear

Good

All sizes

Try worms or small jigs and spinners fished slowly along weedlines and around structure.

Channel Catfish

Good

All sizes

Try shad sides, liver, live bait, worms or prepared baits. 14,000 channel catfish are stocked in the Mined Land Wildlife every October. These fish are 8-16 inches in length and average 1/3 pound each.

Crappie

Fair/Good

All sizes

Try minnows, small jigs or small spinners fished around brush and structure. Some crappie have moved into shallower water to spawn.

Largemouth Bass

Fair/Good

All sizes

Try jigs, worms, spinner baits, or crankbaits fished around brush, structure, or along weedlines.

Rainbow trout

Very Good

10 - 15"

Try power bait, small spinners, spoons, flies, small crankbaits, worms, or corn. Bi-weekly stockings of 935 fish have been made since October 2012. The last spring stocking was made on May 20, 2013. Most rainbows are 10 inches in length when stocked, and average 1/2 lb. each. Five percent of each stocking is comprised of 14-inch or larger fish. Trout can live year-around in this unique strip-mined lake, so fish in the 3-5 pound range are occassionally caught.

Surface water temperatures are ranging from 68 to 72 degrees. Water levels are generally a few feet low. Use extreme caution when launching your boat. Trout Anglers - Youth 15 and younger are not required to purchase a trout permit, but their daily creel limit is 2 trout/day. All anglers 16 and older are required to have a trout stamp to fish in the trout lake in Area # 30. Brown trout less than 20-inches in length must be returned to the water immediately. The creel limit for browns is one fish per day. This regulation is being implemented to improve the quality of fishing, and hopefully, a trophy fishery can some day be established. Browns were first stocked in October 2008, with additional stockings of 7 to 10-inch fish in 2010 and 2011.

Channel Catfish

Good

15-22 inches

Anglers are catching nice fish off the jetties using chicken liver or shad sides. Morning has been the most productive.

Largemouth Bass

Fair

8-20 inches

Warmer water temperatures have more fish active along the shoreline. Try spinnerbaits around water willow or bouncing a crankbait off rocks.

Crappie

Poor

8-10 inches

Crappie fishing has been slow this spring. Some fish are being caught shallow, but not in big numbers.

Bluegill/Redear Sunfish

Excellent

6-10 inches

Nightcrawlers fished a few feet below a bobber is the most effective technique for targeting sunfish. Fishing around the rocks on the fishing jetties is a great place to start. These species support a great opportunity to get novice anglers on fish.

Anglers should note that there are no alcoholic beverages allowed on the area.

The maintained boat ramp at Montgomery State Fishing Lake is usable.

A bathymetric map of Montgomery State Fishing Lake is available. Contact Ben Neely (ben.neely@ksoutdoors.com) to receive a copy via email.

We have created a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that subscribe to it. This newsletter is for fishing information for the Independence District (Montgomery, Wilson, and Labette counties) only. To subscribe, click HERE.

Bluegill / redear

Good

All sizes

Try worms or small jigs fished slowly along weedlines and structure. Bluegill and redear have moved in shallow to spawn.

Channel catfish

Good

All sizes

Try liver, prepared baits, minnows, worms, shad sides, or shrimp fished near the bottom.

Crappie

Fair/Good

7 -12 inches

Try minnows or small 1/64 oz. jigs fished around structure and brush. Some crappie are still in shallow to spawn. Fishing a jig a few feet below a bobber can sometimes be effective at this time. Many 7 to 10-inch fish are available, with some quality fish mixed in.

Largemouth bass

Fair/Good

All sizes

Try jigs, plastic baits, spinner baits, or crank baits fished around brush, structure, or along weedlines.

Surface water temperature is ~70 degrees. Lake is at full pool.

Fisheries Newsletter

If you want to receive additional information about this lake (including GPS coordinates to any newly placed brush piles) a couple of times during the year, sign up to receive a newsletter using this link http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Lawrence-Fishing-District

Channel catfish

Poor-Fair

1-5 lbs

Using shad sides, nightcrawlers, minnows and sunfish. Feeders started running May 7, so these should be good places to try.

Crappie

Fair-Good

0.4-1 lbs

Using jigs and minnows from the bank.

Bluegill

Fair-Good

Up to 0.33 lb

Using small spinners, jigs, and worms.

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method, & Location

Channel Catfish

Fair

16-24 inches

Some anglers are having luck on warmer days with chicken livers or stinkbait on the bottom. Warmer weather should make fish more active.

Largemouth and Spotted Bass

Fair

10-22 inches

Fish are cruising the shallows on warm afternoons and feeding. Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along rocky banks.

Crappie

Poor

8-14 inches

Some fish have moved shallow to spawn. Look for them in the backs of coves on firm substrate.

Both maintained boat ramps are currently usable.

A bathymetric map is available for Wilson State Fishing Lake. Contact Ben Neely (ben.neely@ksoutdoors.com) to receive one via email.

We have created a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that subscribe to it. This newsletter is for fishing information for the Independence District(Montgomery, Wilson, and Labette counties) only.

Bluegill / Redear

Good

6-10"

Try worms, small jigs and spinners fished slowly along weedlines and structure. Many bluegill and redear have moved into shallower water to spawn.

Channel catfish

Fair/good

15-24"

Try shad sides, liver, prepared baits, live bait or worms fished on or near the bottom. The four fish feeders are now in operation. KDWPT fish samplings have shown that there is a very good channel catfish fishery. Many 2-5 pound fish are available.

Crappie

Fair/Good

8-14 inches

Try minnows or small jigs and spinners fished near trees and structure. Some crappie are still in shallower water to spawn. Bone Creek supports a good crappie population, with some quality-size fish available.

Largemouth bass

Fair/Good

Mostly 8-16 inch fish.

Try jigs, plastic baits, stick baits or spinners around weedlines and deep-water structure. A few bass remain in shallower water to spawn.

The surface water temperature is ~70 degrees. Water level is full pool.

Species

Rating

Channel catfish

SLOW

varies

The fish feeders are OFF, 3-4 pounders are the most common, caught off dam on bluegill chunks, or cut shad, Lakewide,

Largemouth/Smallmouth bass

SLOW

varies

lakewide, fish are in shallow, use silver crank and spinner baits, or dark jigs.

Bullheads

Slow

varies

use worms,or liver lake wide

Bluegill

Slow

varies

small baits and worms under floats, along weedbeds around fish attractors

Walleye

Slow

lots of fish over and under the length limit

also try the dam and rocky structure in the south half of the lake with jigs or minnows

Crappie

Slow

lots of small fish with 50 limit

along dam, brushpiles on the windy side, use minnows and dark jigs

Water levels have improved. The boat ramp is safe to use. This is a shallow lake and should warm up early, so try for bass, catfish and crappie here.

The fish feeders are OFF for the season. This lake has a high density of channel catfish that really increases angling opportunity. Buy your license and go fishing. The water level is great for fishing.

This is a great family fishing lake with good shoreline access and bathrooms. Remember the special length/creel limits.

Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment.

Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today!

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

With questions about this lake call Donald George, Fisheries Biologist, at 913-795-2218, or Bourbon County at 620-223-3800.

Crappie

Good

8 to 12 inches

water levels have enhanced fishing. good reports for crappie in cover, try jigs, minnows.

Channel catfish

Slow

varies,

along dam and shoreline, cut shad, worms, prepared baits,

Largemouth bass

Slow

most bass in the 14 to 18 inch range

good reports of bass in 5 - 10 ft deep water-shoreline, spinners, plugs, most about 13-16 inches, around structure,

Water levels are perfect. Either ramp is open for use. The east parking will be refitted to a larger size to accommodate the tuesday bass tournament anglers.

Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today! Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment.

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

NO special permits required, this is a Community Fisheries Assistance Program Lake. Use caution, this lake has quantities of standing and submerged trees and limited shoreline access. This is a 220 acre lake with approximately 180 acres of standing trees. Fishing only lake. The lake has a boat ramp, parking lot, security light, floating dock, and vault toilet on the east side of the lake and a boat ramp and parking on the west side..

black bass

Fair

varies

try pre and spawning areas, motor oil colored jigs, soft plastic baits, up against the banks/along the weed beds, in trees/fish attractors and dropoffs,

channel catfish

Fair

varies

The fish feeders are OFF for the season. High populations of channel catfish improves success. lakewide, use cut shad, sponge baits, worms,

walleye

Slow

varies

jigs, minnows along the dropoffs.

white crappie

Fair

varies, many over 11 inches

crappie have been ON and OFF depends daily, when they are ON nice fish are caught over 10 inches, some good fish in deeper water over the new brushpiles, with black&white, blue&white jigs, fish are in nice condition and slowing moving in

bluegill

Fair

varies

use small baits, such as worms, jigs suspended under a float, in deeper water

Lake level is good. The boat ramp is usable.. Water levels are fine for fishing. Fish for crappie in deeper water over brushpiles for good success. Recent tree/habitat placements will improve angler success for bass and crappie. Most of the trees that KDWPT sank are visible above the surface.

The fish feeders are OFF. Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don t Go. Buy your state fishing license and have fun. Remember the special length/creel limits.

Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment.

Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today!

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

This is a Community Fisheries Assistance Lake Cooperator,no city permits for fishing and boating while fishing. City permit required for recreational boating.

Channel Catfish

Good

varies most legal size, with some large fish

some nice 3 - 8 pound catfish caught on chunks of bluegill in 5 ft or deeper, also try chicken liver, cut shad or chunks of sunfish, lakewide or downwind of the fish feeders

Bluegill/Redear Sunfish

Slow

varies

use small baits, jigs or small worm under a float set for shallow water

Crappie

Slow

8 to 14inches some larger

Lots of very good reports here. white jigs and minnows, mid depth to deeper along the south tree line or structure and dropoffs along the creek channel. lots of good fish...

Largemouth Bass

Good

varies

bass are in or close to deeper water structure, with plastics, jig and Pig, slabs

Lets GO FISHING. Grab the kids, call a friend and go to the local lake. The water level is great for fishing. Go have fun. Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don't Go. Use caution with the low water levels. Recent sampling indicates that this lake provides good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.. Fishing is good, buy your state fishing license and have fun. Remember the special length/creel limits. This is a Community Fisheries Lake Cooperator, no special permits.

Sign up for the Mound City District Newsletter today!

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment.

Wipers

Slow

size varies,

lake wide trolling with sassy shads, from the bank and boat, with crankbaits, spoons,.

Channel catfish

Good

All sizes,

The fish feeders are ON, best baits are chicken liver or use stink baits, shrimp, worms, prepared baits, lakewide, Fish the south end creek after a rain. I saw several 3 pounders caught today on liver or worms.

largemouth bass

Slow

varies

good results along the dam and weedbed edge, silver or blue crank baits or soft baits

walleye, saugeye

Slow

18-24 inches

fish the flats, use jigs tipped with a worm

white crappie

Slow

8-14 inches

good numbers of nice crappie, fish around the floating dock, and drop offs, fish are not in real shallow.Try over the brushpiles, use dark jigs,minnows

The water level is fine,for fishing. The fish feeders are ON. The floating dock is out of service for repair.

Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today! Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. Don't move water from any impoundment.

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

This lake is enrolled into the Community Fisheries Assistance Program. A city fishing permit is no longer required.Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don t Go.

channel catfish

Great

Size varies, 4 pounds and up

The fish feeders are ON.. use cut shad, (best on chicken liver), shrimp, worms, prepared baits, along dam,

crappie

Slow

All sizes

Fish are nice size and the density is low, fish are along the dam, south east pier, and in the brushpiles fish with jigs, minnows,

largemouth bass

Good

12-22 inches

dam, the brushpiles with crank baits or spinners,

bluegill

Good

varies

use a small worm or jig under a float.

Water levels are good. This Lake has produced some nice stringers of crappie and should continue to do so. Fish the creek channel over the brush piles with minnows or jigs. The lake level has improved, the boat ramp is good. Past low water levels have forced small fish into deeper water making it easier for anglers to catch fish. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. Don't move water from any impoundments.

Feeders are ON!

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

This lake has a high density of channel catfish that increases angling opportunity. Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don t Go.This is a Community Fisheries Assistance Program Lake, no fishing permits required.

Largemouth bass

Fair-Good

1-5 lbs

Spinnerbaits or crankbaits along weedlines or rocky structure

Wipers

Fair

mostly on liver, can be caught using various shad imitating lures

channel catfish

Good

1/2-15 lbs

shad sides and other prepared bait. Many nice catfish were seen up shallow during electrofishing.

Walleye

Fair

1-6 pounds

Some fish have been caught shallow on crappie jigs.

crappie

Good

1/2-2 lbs.

warming water temps. should bring the crappie into shallower waters. Try jigs under a bobber along the dam and piers.

The city of Yates Center has signed up for the CFAP program. A city permit is no longer required.

The lake is full and the water temp is in the upper 60s.

STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat and livewell before leaving an area. DO NOT MOVE FISH OR BAIT between waters.

District Fisheries Newsletter. http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-New-Strawn-Fishing-District

blue, channel catfish

Poor

varies

The river is at normal level, fish are concentrated below riffles, stink baits, cut shad, liver, worms

walleye

Poor

varies

use minnows, jigs, work the pools below riffles

white bass/wipers

Poor

varies

minnows, jigs, work the pools below the rifles,

Paddlefish

Fair Opportuity

Few reports

Paddlefish snagging season opens March 15 through May 15. During this season the Marais des Cygnes River from Unit G downstream to stateline is open to paddlefish snagging.River level is improving, buy your tags and get a giant fish.

The river and streams on the state wildlife area are open to fishing. The river is a great place to float and fish. Most of the wildlife area pools are drained. Access to the river is at the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area and along stateline road bridge. For additional opportunities call 913-352-8941 for accurate information on wildlife pool drainage.

Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment.

Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today!

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

Paddlefish

Poor

The 2012 paddlefish season opened Friday, March 15 and closes Wednesday, May 15. Good fishing is still possible if we get some water running, but most fish have probably already spawned.

•Catch and release is allowed on the Neosho River

•A fish must be kept if placed on a stringer. Culling is not allowed.

•A state-issued permit is required. Two paddlefish may be harvested daily and six may be harvested in a season.

•Barbless hooks are required at Chetopa.

The best fishing occurs at river flows of 10-15,000 cubic feet per second. The following link will take you to the Kansas Water Watch website. Click HERE for river flow data.

Largemouth Bass

slow

13 to 18 inches

work the trees, some larger fish available up to 6 pounds, best luck with dark colored jipnpigs, plastic worms, about 8-10 ft deep, close to structure, recently anglers have caught bass up the lake along the north side and in some of the coves.

Smallmouth Bass

Slow

13 to 15"

jigs, spinners, along the dam and rocky shorelines

Channel Catfish

Slow

12" to 8 pounds

the fish feeder is OFF, cut shad, worms, liver, prepared baits, spinners, lakewide

Crappie

Slow

any size

scattered reports, hard to find in timber, minnows and jigs, lakewide

Walleye

Fair

most between 15 to 17 inches

jigs tipped with worms, spinners, dam and upper creek channel

Lake level is good. The boat ramp is good.. Water levels are normal but fine for fishing. Caution - quantities of trees in this lake.

This lake opened to fishing on August 24th. of 2011, with great reviews. Critzer Lake offers limited shoreline angling that is enhanced with 2 fishing piers and a fish feeder. There is a double lane boatramp and the lake is primarily a boat lake. This 220 acre lake offers 180 acres of standing timber so there is a no-wake limit. Lake brochures are available at the Linn County Courthouse, in KDWPT's Information Display Case or online at www.linncountyks.com or contact Fisheries Biologist, Don George at 913-795-2218. Also check out Brent Chapman's videos of this lake at this web site www.linncountyks.com. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats,trailers and equipment.

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

Largemouth Bass

Excellent

up to 6 lbs.

This lake has an excellent bass population. Previous sampling efforts show fish up to 6 and 7 pounds. Look for this excellent fishing to continue.

Bluegill

Excellent

up to 8"

This lake has an excellent bluegill population. A total of 387 bluegill were caught in 2 nets and over of the bluegill caught were 6-8" in length.

Channel Catfish

Good

8-30"

A nice population of quality sized fish is available with most fish ranging from 2-4 lbs.

Crappie

Fair

up to 13"

The crappie population seems to be comprised mainly of sub legal fish but there are some larger fish available.

Current Fishing Opportunity

Largemouth Bass

Good

up to 7lbs.

Slow rolling spinnerbaits or finesse plastics around the shoreline structure

Bluegill

Good

up to 8 inches

Worms under a bobber along shoreline vegetation and structure

Channel Catfish

Fair-Good

8-30 inches

Shad sides or other prepared stink bait lakewide

Crappie

Good

6-10 inches

Fish have moved shallow and anglers should have success with jigs under a bobber along rocky or weedy shorelines.

Wiper

Fair-Good

up to 15lbs!

A 15lb. wiper was sampled during spring electrofishing. Try using any type of shad imitating lures and even chicken liver will produce some fish.

Comments:

Please remember to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boats and livewells to help stop the spread of ANS species. For more information on this lake and other lakes in Anderson, Allen, Coffey, and Woodson Counties, click on the following link to subscribe to the New Strawn District Fisheries Newsletter.

http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-New-Strawn-Fishing-District

Crappie

Good

8-14 inches

The crappie have moved shallow to spawn anglers should have good success using jigs under a bobber near the shoreline.

Channel catfish

Good

8-30 inches

Shad sides or other prepared baits lakewide

Largemouth Bass

Good

up to 6 lbs.

Slow rolling spinnerbaits or finesse plastics around structure. The bass bite should improve with several days of warmer weather.

Wipers

Good

Livers around feeders or shad imitating lures lakewide.

Walleye

Fair

Some walleye are in shallower water feeding on baitfish try small jigs or twister tails, or trolling with crankbaits

Please remember to help STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat and livewell when leaving water bodies.

DO NOT MOVE FISH OR BAIT TO DIFFERENT WATERS!

For more information on waters in Woodson, Coffey, Anderson, and Allen counties, click the following link to sign up for the New Strawn District Fisheries Newsletter.http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-New-Strawn-Fishing-District

Species

Size

Rating

Baits, Method, and Location

Redear and Bluegill

up to 11"

Good

A good population of redear and bluegill is present in this lake. Redear up to 11" are not uncommon and are usually caught around the weedbeds using worms or small jigs.

Largemouth Bass

8-21"

Good

Sampling from previous years shows a moderate density of largemouth bass which should provide anglers with some good fishing. Many anglers have had success fishing along the abundant milfoil beds.

Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish

up to 10 lbs.

Good

Both channel catfish and blue catfish are present in this lake, however, the blue catfish population is fairly new so the fish have not reached large sizes yet. The largest blue cat sampled was just over 3 lbs. The channel catfish population continues to show good numbers and will provide good angling.

Wipers

up to 5.5 lbs.

Fair-Good

A moderate population of wipers exist in this lake comprised of multiple size classes. Anglers can expect to catch 2-3 pound fish, but fish larger than 5 pounds are available.

Crappie

up to 12"

Fair

Sampling efforts show a low to moderate abundance of crappie. Crappie up to 12" are available but fish in the 6-9" range are the most common.

Current Fishing Opportunity

Redear and Bluegill

up to 10"

Fair

Worms under bobber near vegetation

Largemouth Bass

8-21"

Good

Spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the weedbeds or defined dropoffs. Fish are in the prespawn pattern and should be feeding well during warm weather.

Catfish

up to 10lbs.

fair-good

Shad sides and other prepared bait lakewide

Wipers

8-18"

good

Livers or shad imitations in open water or windy points

Crappie

up to 12"

Good-Excellent

Anglers are having good success near the piers using jigs and a bobber.

Walleye

15-24"

slow

Trolling crankbaits or jig and nightcrawler along flats.

Species

Size

Rating

Baits, Method, and Location

Channel Catfish

up to 15lbs.

Good

Good channel cat fishing will continue. Anglers have the most success along the old river channel.

White Bass

up to 3 lbs.

Good

White bass do well in this shallow reservoir. Anglers have good success in the upper end in the river channel during the spring spawning run.

Crappie

up to 13"

Fair

Crappie fishing will be fair to good anglers should focus on the deeper water and around woody structure in the river channel towards the upper end.

Current Fishing Opportunity

Channel Catfish

up to 15lbs.

Good

Along the channel breaks and flats with shad sides

White Bass

up to 3lbs.

good

Main river channel and along dam using small spinners or shad imitations

Crappie

up to 13"

Good

Jigs along the dam and upstream in the river and creeks

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Methods, and Location

Largemouth Bass

Good

up to 5 lbs.

Sampling from previous years shows the largemouth bass population is on the rise and should provide fair to good angling opportunities.

Channel Catfish

Good

up to 12 lbs.

Channel catfish and flathead catfish are both present in the lake, and the opportunity to catch a trophy of each species is available for the lucky angler.

Crappie

Fair

up to 12 inches

Sampling efforts indicate a large population of crappie with the majority in the 6-8" range, however, larger individuals up to 12" are available.

Wipers

Fair

up to 5 lbs.

A moderate population of wipers is present in the lake and should provide fair to good angling opportunities. The largest wiper sampled was 5 pounds.

Current fishing Opportunity

Largemouth Bass

Good

8-18"

Jigs and plastics worked slowly around structure.

Channel Catfish

Good

up to 12lbs.

Shad sides and cut baits around channel breaks or upper end when water is coming in

Crappie

Good

up to 12"

Fish have moved shallow and are being caught near the rocky shoreline using jigs under a bobber.

Wipers

Fair-Good

up to 5lbs.

Shad imitations in open water or windy points, vertical jigging with spoons