Channel Catfish Forecast
The channel catfish is the bread and butter of Kansas fishing. Found in nearly all waters from large rivers and reservoirs to small prairie streams, good channel cat fishing is never far away. State lakes are also popular places to catch channel cats. Department hatcheries produce millions of channel cats each year. The state record channel cat weighed 36 pounds, 8 ounces. The world record is 58 pounds.
Updated: 02/04/2021
Lakes
| WATERBODY | Density | Preferred | Lunker | Big Fish | Rating | 3 yr avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (>16”) | (>24”) | (>28”) | (LBS.) | (>16”) | ||
| LAKE | ||||||
| CHASE SFL | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | G | 4.42 |
| WINFIELD CITY LAKE | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | G | 2.67 |
| PLAINVILLE LAKE | 12.75 | 2.25 | 0.00 | 6.59 | E | 12.50 |
| GARNETT CEDAR CREEK LAKE | 10.25 | 0.38 | 0.00 | 5.75 | E | 9.42 |
| PLEASANTON-WEST LAKE | 9.33 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.94 | E | 11.67 |
| NEOSHO SFL | 9.25 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 3.88 | G | 5.92 |
| PARSONS CITY LAKE | 9.13 | 0.75 | 0.13 | 13.10 | G | 9.13 |
| WOODSON SFL | 7.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.21 | G | 7.00 |
| MOUND CITY LAKE | 6.83 | 1.67 | 0.00 | 6.68 | G | 6.00 |
| SABETHA CITY LAKE | 6.67 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 4.99 | G | 6.00 |
| EUREKA CITY LAKE | 6.50 | 1.67 | 0.17 | 8.42 | G | 6.50 |
| ANTHONY CITY LAKE | 6.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5.24 | G | 2.57 |
| OLATHE-CEDAR LAKE | 6.00 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 4.93 | G | 5.58 |
| ROOKS SFL | 6.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.29 | G | 5.92 |
| SEDAN-NEW CITY LAKE-SOUTH | 5.25 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 7.28 | G | 3.50 |
| SEDAN OLD CITY LAKE-NORTH | 4.75 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 7.48 | G | 3.75 |
| JETMORE CITY LAKE | 4.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5.07 | G | 2.83 |
| ATCHISON CITY LAKE #23 | 4.33 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 6.97 | G | 4.33 |
| WASHINGTON SFL | 4.25 | 1.25 | 0.25 | 9.79 | G | 3.25 |
| FORT SCOTT CITY LAKE | 3.86 | 0.71 | 0.14 | 9.30 | G | 3.30 |
| COLDWATER LAKE | 3.80 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5.62 | G | 4.82 |
| HOLTON-BANNER CREEK LAKE | 3.75 | 0.50 | 0.13 | 12.30 | G | 2.96 |
| FORT SCOTT GUNN PARK W POND #2 | 3.33 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 5.01 | G | 3.33 |
| PAOLA CITY LAKE-LAKE MIOLA | 3.17 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 4.73 | G | 2.11 |
| DOUGLAS SFL | 3.17 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 6.32 | G | 4.61 |
| HORTON MISSION LAKE | 2.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.85 | G | 5.42 |
| WICHITA CHISHOLM-NORTH LAKE | 2.60 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6.03 | F | 2.60 |
| HARVEY CO. LAKE-EAST | 2.56 | 0.11 | 0.00 | 6.37 | G | 1.98 |
| MARION CO. LAKE | 2.50 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 6.11 | G | 3.63 |
| JEWELL SFL | 2.50 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 6.86 | G | 3.25 |
| SHAWNEE SFL | 2.50 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 4.96 | G | 2.72 |
| WELLINGTON CITY LAKE | 2.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.13 | G | 1.11 |
| COUNCIL GROVE CITY LAKE | 2.40 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 11.66 | G | 5.07 |
| CENTRALIA CITY LAKE | 2.38 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.19 | G | 1.88 |
| GARNETT CITY LAKE-NORTH | 2.25 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 6.66 | G | 3.13 |
| JEFFREY EC - AUX. MAKEUP LAKE | 2.25 | 0.38 | 0.25 | 16.53 | G | 2.71 |
| MIDDLE CREEK SFL | 2.17 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.62 | F | 2.39 |
| LYON SFL | 2.17 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 6.76 | G | 3.22 |
| CARBONDALE CITY LAKE-EAST | 2.17 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.05 | F | 3.83 |
| OLATHE-LAKE OLATHE | 2.17 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 9.00 | G | 1.33 |
| BARBER SFL LOWER | 1.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.54 | F | 1.33 |
| LEAVENWORTH SFL | 1.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.78 | F | 1.44 |
| KDOT W BORROW PIT (WICHITA) | 1.67 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 7.56 | G | 1.67 |
| GARDNER CITY LAKE | 1.50 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 5.44 | F | 2.92 |
| YATES CENTER CITY LAKE-NEW | 1.50 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 15.54 | G | 2.39 |
| HOWARD-POLK DANIELS LAKE | 1.50 | 0.75 | 0.00 | 5.37 | G | 9.17 |
| BONE CREEK LAKE | 1.38 | 0.38 | 0.00 | 7.03 | G | 1.50 |
| LOGAN CITY LAKE | 1.33 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 5.08 | F | 1.14 |
| SEDGWICK CO. LAKE AFTON | 1.33 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 6.96 | G | 4.83 |
| PLEASANTON-EAST LAKE | 1.33 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 11.66 | G | 1.50 |
| MCPHERSON SFL | 1.20 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 6.68 | F | 1.63 |
| HARVEY CO. LAKE-WEST | 1.20 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.03 | F | 0.60 |
| MONTGOMERY SFL | 1.17 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 6.89 | F | 3.39 |
| MIAMI SFL | 1.17 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.27 | F | 1.06 |
| WILSON SFL | 1.17 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 5.72 | G | 0.94 |
| GRIDLEY CITY LAKE | 1.00 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 6.47 | F | 1.78 |
| GEARY SFL | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.73 | F | 1.83 |
| GARNETT CITY LAKES-SOUTH | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.02 | F | 1.83 |
| LOUISBURG CITY LAKE | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.41 | F | 1.00 |
| LENEXA-LAKE LENEXA | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.10 | F | 1.11 |
| WICHITA-SOUTH LAKE | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.49 | F | 1.00 |
| BOURBON SFL | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.45 | F | 3.17 |
| SCOTT SFL | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5.42 | G | 0.44 |
| SABETHA PONY CREEK LAKE | 1.00 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 12.68 | F | 1.17 |
| BROWN SFL | 0.83 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 6.83 | F | 2.93 |
| YATES CENTER-SOUTH OWL LAKE | 0.83 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 7.14 | F | 1.56 |
| CLARK SFL | 0.80 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.37 | G | 1.90 |
| GRAHAM CO. ANTELOPE LAKE | 0.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.94 | G | 2.17 |
| MOLINE OLD CITY LAKE-SOUTH | 0.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.04 | P | 0.50 |
| LEBO CITY LAKE | 0.75 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 6.61 | F | 1.08 |
| POTTAWATOMIE SFL #2 | 0.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.75 | G | 2.75 |
| ALMA CITY LAKE | 0.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.67 | F | 1.04 |
| MEADE SFL | 0.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.97 | F | 0.22 |
| MOLINE-NEW CITY LAKE-NORTH | 0.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.76 | F | 1.22 |
| KINGMAN SFL | 0.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.24 | F | 3.73 |
| CRAWFORD SFL | 0.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.61 | G | 0.72 |
| MADISON CITY LAKE | 0.50 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 5.73 | G | 0.89 |
| ELLIS CITY LAKE | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.83 | F | 0.58 |
| BELLEVILLE ROCKY POND | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.58 | G | 0.17 |
| COWLEY SFL | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 1.85 | G | 2.75 |
| OTTAWA SFL | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.16 | G | 0.83 |
| NEBO SFL | 0.33 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.14 | F | 2.94 |
| JEFFREY EC - MAKE UP LAKE | 0.33 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.62 | F | 0.72 |
| BUTLER SFL | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | G | 3.42 |
| SHERIDAN SFL | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.40 | F | 0.17 |
| OLPE CITY LAKE | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.43 | F | 0.25 |
| HORSETHIEF RES. | 0.20 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.96 | G | 0.23 |
| HERINGTON CITY LAKE-NEW | 0.20 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.59 | P | 0.40 |
| GREAT BEND-STONE PARK LAKE | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.14 | F | 0.50 |
| LACROSSE WARREN STONE LAKE | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.35 | F | 0.00 |
| ATWOOD-LAKE ATWOOD MAIN | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.65 | F | 0.11 |
| POTTAWATOMIE SFL #1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.69 | P | 0.33 |
Updated: 02/04/2021
Ponds
| WATERBODY | Density | Preferred | Lunker | Big Fish | Rating | 3 yr avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (>16”) | (>24”) | (>28”) | (LBS.) | (>16”) | ||
| POND | ||||||
| JEWELL CITY LAKE-EMERSON LAKE | 5.50 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 5.60 | G | 5.17 |
| KDOT E BORROW PIT (WICHITA) | 1.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.75 | F | 1.50 |
| STERLING CITY LAKE | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.15 | P | 0.83 |
| ATCHISON CITY LAKE #7 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.16 | P | 0.00 |
| SEVERY CITY LAKE | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.61 | P | 1.22 |
Updated: 02/04/2021
Reservoirs
* - Designates waters that were not tested during the current year.
| WATERBODY | Density | Preferred | Lunker | Big Fish | Rating | 3 yr avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (>16”) | (>24”) | (>28”) | (LBS.) | (>16”) | ||
| RES | ||||||
| MARION | 6.73 | 0.13 | 0.00 | 4.72 | E | 4.13 |
| HILLSDALE | 6.67 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 10.63 | E | 4.75 |
| TORONTO | 6.08 | 3.08 | 0.50 | 12.79 | E | 3.55 |
| KANOPOLIS | 4.76 | 0.67 | 0.00 | 6.39 | G | 4.38 |
| BIG HILL | 4.60 | 0.50 | 0.10 | 8.52 | G | 5.87 |
| LOVEWELL | 4.25 | 0.90 | 0.15 | 13.84 | G | 5.67 |
| ELK CITY | 3.83 | 0.83 | 0.08 | 8.43 | G | 2.86 |
| CLINTON | 3.56 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.89 | G | 3.21 |
| WILSON | 2.83 | 0.57 | 0.00 | 7.25 | G | 2.92 |
| PERRY | 2.70 | 0.57 | 0.04 | 8.42 | G | 1.73 |
| MELVERN | 2.30 | 0.20 | 0.10 | 11.46 | G | 3.16 |
| POMONA | 2.00 | 0.14 | 0.00 | 8.00 | G | 2.24 |
| CHENEY | 2.00 | 0.70 | 0.19 | 10.85 | G | 1.26 |
| FALL RIVER | 2.00 | 1.33 | 0.33 | 10.54 | G | 2.17 |
| LACYGNE | 1.93 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.94 | G | 1.37 |
| KIRWIN | 1.58 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 7.66 | G | 1.24 |
| COUNCIL GROVE | 1.29 | 0.14 | 0.00 | 5.86 | F | 0.94 |
| GLEN ELDER | 1.04 | 0.42 | 0.13 | 14.97 | F | 1.78 |
| JOHN REDMOND | 0.95 | 0.19 | 0.14 | 14.03 | F | 0.98 |
| EL DORADO | 0.80 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 5.40 | F | 0.49 |
| WOLF CREEK | 0.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.17 | F | 0.86 |
| WEBSTER | 0.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.84 | G | 1.14 |
| CEDAR BLUFF | 0.58 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 10.64 | F | 0.35 |
| MILFORD | 0.40 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.79 | F | 0.45 |
| TUTTLE CREEK | 0.30 | 0.05 | 0.00 | 7.33 | F | 0.30 |
| SEBELIUS | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.06 | F | 0.13 |