Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Notice

To purchase your Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, permits and boat registrations visit, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/.

To make campsite reservations and purchase state park permits visit, https://www.campitks.com/.

To check-in or check-out of Public Lands visit, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/.

Fishing Reports

For up-to-date information, look up the fishing report for the lake of your choice. Field staff update the fishing reports each week through the fishing season, reporting on fishing success, lake levels, water temperatures, and other important information.

You also can get helpful information from the Fishing Forecast.

Below are links to Google .kmz files for all fish attractors statewide.

All statewide fish attractors' GPS (KMZ)

All artificial statewide fish attractors' GPS (PDF)

Listing of Downloadable Bathymetric Maps

Purchase Fishing License Here

Northwest Region
Northeast Region
Southwest Region
South Central Region
Southeast Region

Fishing reports provide general angling information from KDWPT staff. The department cannot update the reports on a regular, frequent basis. Many factors determine angling success, and fishing conditions and individual fishing success may vary from the report. Anglers are responsible for deciding what species to fish for, what methods to use, and where and when to fish. You can help fellow anglers by sharing successful fishing notes at http://www.facebook.com/kdwpt.

OTTAWA STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/15/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	12-18 inches	As the water warms up, bass should start feeding heavily in preparation for the spawn. For now fish will still be sluggish and hanging out in deeper waters. Fish can be caught around any aquatic vegetation, off the rocky jetties, and around the overhanging trees in the water. Fish can be caught use wacky worms, Senkos, Ned Rigs, spinnerbaits, roadrunners, and crankbaits.
Bluegill/Sunfish	Good	5 to 7 Inches	Look for bluegill around the rocks on the piers and around any brush in the water. Worms and small jigs are a good bet. These guys can be caught throughout the year using a variety of techniques. Some anglers prefer to fly fish with small nymphs or dry flies fished on the surface.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	12-25 inches	Fish can be caught just about anywhere on the lake. Anglers should try using shad sides, shad gizzards, shrimp, nightcrawlers, and chicken liver. Targeting inflow is a popular method as the catfish will congregate there to feed. The shallow upper end is a great area to find big catfish on warm spring days.
Saugeye	Fair	18-25 inches	The best number of saugeye can be found on the upper end around the jetties and other rocky areas. Jig and crawler, large shiners, crankbaits, and swim baits are all good options to use for catching saugeye now. Anglers will also find some around the brush piles and off the ends of the jetties closest to the dam.
Crappie	Good	8-15 inches	Anglers should target the brush piles and other submerged structure with minnows and jigs. In the winter months focus on deeper structure. Anglers are encouraged to harvest high numbers of crappie to help maintain a desirable level. Our recent sample indicated there are very high numbers of crappie in the lake now and anglers could have great success throughout the year.
General Comments
Water Temperature--42ºF CAUTION: LONGER BOAT TRAILERS MAY FALL OFF EDGE OF BOAT RAMP WHEN WATER IS LOW

CEDAR BLUFF RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Black Bass	Fair	Up to 6 lbs.	Casting suspending jerkbaits around lay down logs in shallow water towards the upper ends of coves, especially along south-facing shorelines.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 8 inches	No Report
Channel Catfish	Slow	Up to 12 lbs.	No Report
Crappie	Good	Up to 15 inches	Vertically fishing jigs and minnows over the fish attractors.
Walleye	Fair	Up to 28 inches	The spawn is just getting started. Fish can usually be caught by anglers casting brightly colored jigs, crankbaits, and swimbaits off the dam face at night and other low-light periods.
White Bass/Wipers	Fair/Good	Whites up to 17 inches Wipers up to 13 lbs.	No Report
WATER TEMPERATURE-41 degrees F SURFACE ELEVATION- 2127.27 ft. above MSL-16.73 ft. below conservation pool ICE REPORT- As of 3-10-2023, the lake is ice free and all boat ramps are open. NEW FOR 2022: Effective January 1, 2022 Walleye harvest at Cedar Bluff Reservoir will continue to be regulated by a 21-INCH MINIMUM LENGTH LIMIT AND 5 FISH DAILY CREEL LIMIT, EXCEPT UP TO 2 WALLEYE GREATER THAN 15-INCHES BUT LESS THAN 18-INCHES MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE 5 FISH DAILY CREEL. For additional information call the Cedar Bluff Area Office at (785)-726-3212. ATTENTION: An established zebra mussel population has been documented at this water making Cedar Bluff an ANS designated water. With this designation, regulations are in effect primarily aimed at discouraging water containing microscopic zebra mussel larvae from leaving the property and establishing in new waters. Any time one leaves the reservoir it is best to clean mud, vegetation, or attached zebra mussel adults off of boats and other equipment, drain any thing on a boat or other equipment that holds water, and allow boats and other equipment to dry completely before using them at another body of water. It is now illegal to use wild-caught bait from Cedar Bluff at any other water. Live fish are not to be taken off the property. And all livewells and bilges must be drained prior to leaving the property. It is illegal to release fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. So please discard any leftover bait in a trash can. Great Kansas Fishing Derby Tagged Species - Channel Catfish, Black Bass, Crappie, White Bass/Wiper, Walleye

GLEN ELDER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/20/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Crappie	Good	9-15 inches	Try fishing deep brush piles and other hard structure. Use minnows or jigs, but fish slower than you would in warmer months. There are good numbers of crappie in the reservoir so success can be had year-round.
Trout	Good	10-15 inches	The final stocking of trout for this season occurred on March. 16th with 625 pounds of quality fish stocked in the GLEN ELDER OUTLET. Only a few weeks before that another 825 pounds of trout were stocked which should equate to a substantial number of fish in the outlet going into the end of the season. The only stocking of the GLEN ELDER STATE PARK POND was in late October of 300 pounds of fish. Many of these fish in the pond expired under the ice this winter due to the low water. Don't forget, ALL anglers fishing in the Glen Elder outlet ARE REQUIRED to have a trout permit through April 15th!
Walleye	Fair to Good	11-25 inches	Fish can be found in deep basins in the winter months or in shallower flats and bays that hold schools of baitfish. You might find fish patrolling lake flats. Fish can be found along the river channel between Cedar Point and Walleye Point in 20-25 feet of water. The deeper fish are often caught using jigging spoons, minnows. Walleye start to spawn when water temps reach the mid 40s. Fish could start keying in on the dam as early as this week but expect the peak of spawn to occur late March or early April. *KDWP stocked 5 million walleye fry in Glen Elder during the month of April. In addition, there were 245,000 walleye fingerlings stocked in mid-June.
Black Bass	Good	12-20 inches	When targeting black bass in the winter make sure you are fishing smaller, slower, and deeper than you would at other times of the year. Smallmouth tend to prefer harder, rockier bottoms, while Largemouth might be found on softer bottoms and weed beds. Don't overlook standing timber and brush piles. Look for areas that hold baitfish. Use a quarter ounce or an eighth ounce jig tipped with a minnow or baitfish imitation. You could also have success with hair jigs and jigging spoons. With a 21 inch length limit these fish are almost all sublegal so please handle them with extreme care and release them immediately after catching them.
Catfish	Fair to Good	15-35 inches	Catfish seek deep holes in winter. Finding these congregations will be the key to having success with either Blue Cats or Channel Cats. Try river channel bends, old road beds, and submerged bridges. Fall sampling indicated very high numbers of channel catfish are in the reservoir now. Best baits to use include cut bait, stinkbait, shad sides, shrimp, and nightcrawlers. As the ice thaws dead baitfish are blown to the shoreline. Fishing cut or dead bait on windblown shorelines can be very effective in early spring. Remember, there is a 35 inch length limit on blue catfish at Glen Elder.
White Bass	Good to Excellent	11-18 inches	Fish have moved to deeper water humps, ridges, and channels. Look for deep schools of baitfish. Using a variety of jigs or minnows can catch fish this time of year.
Anglers can now find GPS locations for each of the brush piles located in the reservoir. Simply click on this link Good Fishing Spots and select the individual brush pile. As we enhance these brush piles throughout the year, we'll make a note under each individual location. Current Water Temperature: 42ºF Current Water Level: 4.6 feet low Some boat ramps are unusable due to low water conditions. This currently includes Granite Creek, North Fork River, Carr Creek, and Walnut Creek. Boller Point ramp is shallow but usable by shallow drafted vessels. Repairs to the face of the dam were completed in February. Water levels should start to rise with spring rains.

JEWELL STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/15/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Crappie	Fair to Good	9-11 inches	Anglers should target the brush piles and other submerged structure with minnows and jigs. Anglers are encouraged to harvest high numbers of crappie to help maintain a desirable level. Our recent sample indicated there are very high numbers of crappie in the lake now and anglers could have great success throughout the year.
Largemouth Bass	Good	12-22 inches	As the water warms up, bass should start feeding heavily in preparation for the spawn. For now fish will still be sluggish and hanging out in deeper waters. Fish can be caught around any aquatic vegetation, off the rocky jetties, and around the overhanging trees in the water. Fish can be caught use wacky worms, Senkos, Ned Rigs, spinnerbaits, roadrunners, and crankbaits. There is an 18 inch minimum length limit on all bass in Jewell
Channel Catfish	Good	11-25 inches	Fish can be caught just about anywhere on the lake. Anglers should try using shad sides, shad gizzards, shrimp, nightcrawlers, and chicken liver. Targeting inflow is a popular method as the catfish will congregate there to feed. The upper end is a great area to find big catfish on warm spring days. Remember there is a 15 inch minimum length limit on channel catfish
Bluegill Redear Sunfish	Good	6-9 inches	Look for bluegill around the rocks on the piers and around any brush in the water. Worms and small jigs are a good bet. These guys can be caught throughout the year using a variety of techniques. Some anglers prefer to fly fish with small nymphs or dry flies fished on the surface.
General Comments
ATTENTION ANGLERS! There is a regulation for all sunfish species which began in January 2019. Fish between 6 and 9 inches must be immediately released. There is no limit on the number of fish less than 6 inches, but anglers are limited to only 5 fish greater than 9 inches per day. This applies to bluegill, redear sunfish, green sunfish, and their hybrids. Water temperature: 42ºF Water level: 2.5 Feet Low

KANOPOLIS RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/14/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Channel Catfish	Good	16 - 21"	Fishing cut and prepared baits along the river channel from the south boat ramp all the way to buzzard bay. Try deeper catfish humps and structure near bluffs.
Crappie	Good	10 to 14+ inches	Try deeper structure, brush piles, or the river channel with 1/16 oz. jigs and live minnows. Winter schools are starting to break up as the water warms.
Trout	Good		Last stocking for the seep stream is scheduled for 3/16/2023
Saugeye	Fair	14 - 22"	Wind blown points in the middle and lower ends of the reservoir are best. Also try shallow shoreline areas first thing in the morning. Shad imitating swimbaits and jigs tipped with minnows can be productive baits. Few reports of fish being caught on points towards the dam.
White Bass	Fair	All sizes - up to 17 inches	Casting swimbaits, bucktail jigs, and Kastmaster spoons along wind blown points and areas near the river channel. Using slab spoons or live minnows is also producing some fish right now along brush piles and in the river channel.
Wiper	Fair	All sizes	Similar locations and baits as those used for white bass.
General Comment
Buzzard Bay boat ramp is currently being repaired and is out of service for the time being. Current lake elevation and water temperature is available on the location page linked to this fishing report. It is updated daily by the Corps of Engineers.

KEITH SEBELIUS RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	7 to 16 inches	Did have reports of crappies being caught around the artificial brush piles under private boat slips, and the fish attractor structures close to the public fishing dock using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows.
Saugeye/Walleye	Fair	13 to 27 inches	Have not had any reports of fish being caught. An 18" minimum length limit is in effect.
Wiper	Good	10 to 28 inches	Have not had any reports of fish being caught.
Catfish	Fair	10 to 30 inches	Have not had any reports of fish being caught. Would try fishing in the shallow areas using shad, shrimp, stink bait or worms on the bottom.
Largemouth/Spotted Bass	Good	10 to 20 inches	Have not had any reports of fish being caught.
General Comments
WATER TEMPERATURE- 40° SURFACE ELEVATION- 2291.15 ---- 13.15 feet below conservation pool Currently, the water level is 4.05 feet lower than it was one year ago, at this time. All boat ramps are open and ice free this time. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. Please discard leftover bait in a trash can. Now Available: A Webster District newsletter that includes fisheries related information about Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoirs is available. If you would like to subscribe to this spring and fall newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Webster-Reservoir-Fishing-District

KIRWIN RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	7 to 17 inches	Anglers have been catching fish around the north and south shore fish attractors using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows.
Walleye	Fair	10 to 29 inches	Did not hear of any walleye being caught. However, would try fishing the outsides of the fish attractors using jigs tipped with minnows. Would also try fishing off the Dam as these fish will be coming into spawn. KDWP will be having some trap nets out to secure walleye eggs for the statewide project.
White Bass/ Wiper	Good	10 to 28 inches	Have had reports of fish being caught around the fish attractors using jigs and slab spoons.
Catfish	Fair	10 to 30 inches	Have not had any reports of fish being caught.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	12 to 22 inches	Have not had any reports of fish being caught.
General Comments
WATER TEMPERATURE- 40° SURFACE ELEVATION- 1723.99 ---- 5.26' below conservation pool Currently, the water level is 3.37' lower than it was one year ago, at this time. The fish cleaning station is closed for the winter. All boat ramps are open at this time and the dock has been put back in on at the South Boat Ramp. If you have any questions regarding Kirwin Reservoir and the surrounding public lands, contact the USFWS at 785-543-6673. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. Please discard leftover bait in a trash can. Now Available: A Webster District newsletter that includes fisheries related information about Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoirs is available. If you would like to subscribe to this spring and fall newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Webster-Reservoir-Fishing-District

LOVEWELL RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/15/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Walleye	Fair to Good	16-25 inches	Fish can be found in deep basins in the winter months or in shallower flats and bays that hold schools of baitfish. You might find fish patrolling lake flats. Fish can be found along the river channel between Cedar Point and Walleye Point in 20-25 feet of water. The deeper fish are often caught using jigging spoons, minnows, or brightly colored lures. The Walleye spawn starts when water temps are in the mid 40s. Fish will key in on rocky shorelines like the dam. Expect peak spawning activity late March or early April. *KDWP stocked 2 million walleye fry into Lovewell during the month of April and over 3,000 7+" fish in November.
White Bass/Wipers	Good	7-14 inches 15-25 inches	Fish have moved to deeper water humps, ridges, and channels. Look for deep schools of baitfish. Using a variety of jigs or minnows can all catch fish this time of year. *600,000 wiper fry will be stocked into Lovewell in May with fingerlings also requested later this summer
Crappie	Fair to Good	8-14 inches	Try fishing deep brush piles and other hard structure. Use minnows or jigs, but fish slower than you would in warmer months. There are very good numbers of crappie in the reservoir now so success can be had throughout the year.
Catfish	Good	16 to 35 inches	Catfish seek deep holes in winter. Fall sampling indicated very high numbers of channel catfish are in the reservoir now. Best baits to use include stinkbait, shad gizzards, shad sides, shrimp, and nightcrawlers. When the ice thaws dead baitfish will be blown to shore. Dead or cut bait can be very effective on windblown shorelines. Anglers often report good spring catches of blue catfish near Walleye Point, the marina, and Cedar Point. Remember there is a 35 inch minimum length limit on blue catfish in Lovewell. All blue catfish less than 35 inches must be released immediately.
Comments
Anglers can now find GPS coordinates, descriptions, and histories of some of the major brush piles in Lovewell. Simply follow this link Good Fishing Spots and select the individual brush pile to find out more information. More Georgia Cubes were added in April 2020! Current water temperature: 39ºF Current water level: 1.1 feet low Please discard of leftover bait in a trash can, even baitfish. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water!

ROOKS STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
			CURRENT FISHING
Largemouth Bass	Fair	6-21 inches	Have had reports of fish being caught lake wide using crankbaits and artificial baits.
Bluegill	Fair	3-9 inches	Have had reports of fish being caught lake wide using worms under a bobber.
Catfish	Fair	10-25 inches	Have had reports of fish being caught lake wide using shrimp, liver and shad on the bottom.
Black Crappie	Fair	5-12 inches	Have had reports of fish being caught lake wide using spinners and jigs under a bobber with minnow or worm.
General Comments
Water Temp. 43 Degrees Lake is approx. four to five feet low. Boat ramp is open at this time. Now Available: A Webster District newsletter that will include Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoir's will be coming out soon. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. The link is: http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Webster-Reservoir-Fishing-District

SHERIDAN STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	Up to 13 inches	Vertically fishing jigs and minnows around the deeper fish attractors and along the face of the dam.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 5 lbs.	Casting baits that allow a slow presentation such as unweighted swimbaits and suspending jerkbaits along shallow, sun-warmed shorelines.
Saugeye	Fair	Up to 3 lbs.	Fish should be spawning. Casting brightly colored jigs and suspending jerkbaits along the dam at night is best this time of year.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber around brush and rock structure.
Channel Catfish	Slow	Up to 19 lbs.	Still-fishing shrimp or cut bait off the bottom.
Wiper	Fair	Up to 2 lbs.	Still fishing shrimp or liver off the bottom.
Comments
It is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water, so please discard any unused bait in a trash can. Cedar Bluff District Newsletter: A biannual newsletter detailing fishing related projects and activities in the Cedar Bluff District, which includes such waters as Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Sheridan and Scott State Fishing Lakes, Antelope Lake, and other public fishing waters in northwest Kansas are available. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. The link is: http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Cedar-Bluff-Fishing-District

WEBSTER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	7 to 17 inches	Have had reports of fish being caught around the north and south shore breakwaters and fish attractors using jigs, slab spoons and jigs with minnows.
Walleye	Fair	14 to 28 inches	Have heard of walleye being caught around the outsides of the marked fish attractors on the north side using jigs tipped with minnows. Would also be looking for them to move into the Dam as they will be coming into spawn.
White Bass/Wiper	Fair	8 to 28 inches	Have had reports of fish being caught around the north and south shore fish attractors and breakwaters using jigs and jigs tipped with minnow.
Catfish	Fair	12 to 30 inches	Have not had any reports of catfish being caught. Would try fishing in the shallow areas using shad, shrimp, stink bait and worms off the bottom.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	12 to 22 inches	Have not had any reports of bass being caught.
Rainbow Trout	Poor		Stilling Basin is still DRY; therefore, NO trout will be stocked this season.
General Comments
WATER TEMPERATURE- 41° SURFACE ELEVATION- 1883.14 ---- 9.31' below conservation pool The water level is 6.54' lower than it was one year ago at this time. All boat ramps are open at this time. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. Please discard leftover bait in a trash can. Now Available: A Webster District newsletter which includes informative fisheries information about Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoirs is currently available. If you would like to subscribe to this spring and fall newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Webster-Reservoir-Fishing-District

WILSON RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Striped Bass	Fair	7-25 pounds	Larger fish are relating to deeper water near Lucas campground, mouth of Marshall Cove, Hell Creek and towards the dam. Try trolling crankbaits, casting/jigging large bucktail jigs, or drifting live shad or sunfish along channel breaks.
Walleye	Good	18-25 inches	Trolling or casting crankbaits and swimbaits over mainlake points early morning or late evening are your best bets. As the water warms fish will start to relate more towards the dam.
Blue/Channel Catfish	Good	2-20 pounds	Channel Catfish) Fish can be found from shallow to moderate depths. Try cut bait or dough bait thorough the reservoir. Blue Catfish) scattered throughout the reservoir, try fresh cutbait in 6-30 feet of water on river channel swings or flats near these swings. Some reports of fish caught in the upper end of the reservoir. Release all Blue Catfish between 32 - 40 inches. Two can be kept outside this range but only one can be kept over 40 inches.
White Bass	Fair	12-18 inches, up to 3 pounds	Casting shad imitating swimbaits and bucktail jigs over windblown points and using slab spoons along the river channel.
Black Bass	Good	12-20 inches	Reports of soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits producing fish around structure.
White Perch	Poor	4 to 12 inches	- IT IS ILLEGAL TO HAVE A WHITE PERCH ALIVE IN YOUR POSSESSION - IF YOU CATCH IT AND WANT TO KEEP IT - IT HAS TO BE DEAD IN A COOLER OR LIVEWELL. THEY ARE NO LONGER LEGAL AS LIVE BAIT FOR STRIPERS OR OTHER FISH!!!!!
General Comments
Lake Elevation = 1.4 feet below conservation pool. BOAT RAMP UPDATE: All boat ramps are open. WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKETS and be courteous at boat ramps! We have two Aquatic Nuisance Species - white perch and zebra mussels and have joined Cheney and El Dorado as lakes with both species. The law now says that if anyone leaves the lake with water in your livewell or boat, you are subject to a ticket for transporting Zebra Mussels since they will spawn and the microscopic little mussels will probably be in every drop of water in the lake. Make sure you drain all water from the boat before you leave the boat ramp area!!! We have been taking veliger samples and the samples were high so be sure to drain and dry everything!!!!!!

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ATCHISON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 9/2/2022 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Perry Newsletter	Good to Excellent	4 pages (lots of pics)	Twice a year I will be publishing a newsletter with Perry and other waters in my district. If you would like the newsletter e-mailed to you click here and fill in the blanks.
Black Crappie	Fair	up to 0.9 lbs	For best luck, try a jig and minnow next to rocky areas along the shoreline or near brush piles. Some anglers are catching 7-9" fish under a slip bobber from the jetties.
Bluegill	Fair to Good	up to 0.5 lbs	Bluegill can be caught with a nightcrawler under a bobber near brushpiles.
Channel Catfish	Fair	up to 7.7 lbs	Channel catfish can be caught from shore using cut shad, dough balls, or chunks of worm. Lots of fish up shallow right now.
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	up to 2.0 lbs	Spinnerbaits or plastics worked around brush piles and rocks.
Redear Sunfish	Fair	up to 0.75 lbs.	Redear can be caught jigging a chunk of worm near shoreline structure.
General Comments
The lake has filled back in and anglers are able to launch from the boat ramp again. If you have information that you would like to contribute to the fishing report contact Nick Kramer at nick.kramer@ks.gov

BROWN STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 9/2/2022 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Perry Newsletter	Good to Excellent		Twice a year I will be publishing a newsletter with Perry and other waters in my District. If you would like the newsletter e-mailed to you click here and fill in the blanks.
Black Crappie	Fair	up to 1.0 lbs.	A few crappie can be found by jigging over deeper brush piles along the dam.
Bluegill	Fair - Good	up to 0.3 lbs.	Bluegill may be caught using a chunk of worm and jigging it over brush piles.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 5.5 lbs	Catfish can be caught from shore using cut bait, dough baits, or chicken livers.
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	up to 4.0 lbs.	Spinnerbaits or plastics working the shallows, along the face of the dam and the brush piles.
Redear Sunfish	Fair	up to 0.4 lbs.	Redear may be caught using a chunk of worm near shoreline structure.
General Comments
If you have information that you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at nick.kramer@ks.gov

CENTRALIA CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Channel Catfish	Good	Up to 20 pounds	The lake has maintained a great channel cat fishery for over ten years. The 2022 fall sample recorded that the number of channel catfish continue to remain at a high level with fairly good numbers of fish over 20 inches. The creel limit at the lake has been raised to 10 channel catfish per day starting in 2023.
White Bass	Good	1/2 to 1 lb.	The most recent sample shows white bass numbers are the highest in over a decade. The size structure is good with most of the fish 11 to 12 inches long and 33% over 12 inches. Should still be schooled up in deeper water.
Wiper	Fair	Up to 26"	A low population of wipers are maintained with stockings of small fish. Most of the wiper are bigger fish over 22 inches. Wiper creel limit is 2 per day.
Crappie	Fair to Good	1/2 to 1 pound	There has been a recent shift in the crappie population with black crappie being more numerous than white crappie for the first time in a decade. Overall numbers of crappie are looking good with the majority exceeding 10 inches. No recent reports.
Saugeye	Fair	2 to 8 lbs.	The number of saugeye in the most recent sample was near the long-term average for the lake. Of those, 46% were over the 18 inch minimum length limit. Should be a decent year fishing for them.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	1/2 to 5 pounds	Bass numbers are improving but would still be considered an overall low population. However, the fish in the lake are big and we saw surprisingly high numbers of 5 pound fish last year. Best places are the rock piers, standing timber and around the West boat ramp. Bass are covered by an 18 inch minimum length limit.
General Comments
Centralia Lake is a 400 acre lake that is noted for good channel cat, saugeye and crappie fishing. The lake facilities include multiple ramps, picnic tables, plenty of camping pads and many sites with electricity. Centralia is enrolled in the CFAP program, which means a City permit is not required for fishing visits. Perry Reservoir has zebra mussels and with Centralia Lake being close it is at high risk. Please, always clean your boat when moving to different water bodies.

CLINTON RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Zebra Mussels are present at Clinton Reservoir Be sure to CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY all equipment that comes in contact with the water to keep from spreading them to another lake.
Current Fishing Conditions
Blue Catfish	Good	Up to 35 lbs	Fish can be found in shallow flats near the river channel. Fish are often concentrated on wind blown areas feeding on winter kill shad. Cut shad is the preferred bait in spring. A 35-inch minimum length limit applies. Practice safe catch and release.
Walleye/Saugeye/Sauger	Good	1-2 lbs	Fish are staging in preparation for spawning. As water temperature and day length increase, fish will move up shallow to spawn. Target rocky shorelines and along the dam during the early morning and late evening. Slow moving crankbaits or jigs will produce bites.
Crappie	Fair - Good	0.5-1.5 lbs	Fish are breaking off from their winter patterns. They are more scattered as they begin to stage near spawning areas. Weather patterns can greatly influence fishing success and fish location.
Channel Catfish	Fair	0.5-5 lbs	Channel Catfish can be caught using a variety of baits including nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and cut bait. Fish will migrate up rivers and creeks in relation to high precipitation events.
White bass	Good	0.5-2 lbs	White Bass are staging near rivers and creeks in preparation for their spring spawning run. Fish will migrate into rivers and creeks in relation to high precipitation events. Typically, late March and early April is a good time to find White Bass in the these areas.
Wiper	Good	4-8 lbs	Wiper and White Bass have similar patterns this time of year.
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass	Poor - Fair	1-5 lbs	Bass fishing is slow until water temperatures warm in mid to late spring.
District Newsletter			If you want to keep up with what is going on with Clinton Reservoir (including GPS coordinates to any newly placed brush piles) and other lakes in DG, SN, and OS Counties sign up for the Lawrence District Newsletter by clicking this link: http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Larkwrence-Fishing-District
General Comments
Spillway (below Clinton Dam): Recent high discharge has spurred several good reports of multi-species action in the spillway. Please properly dispose of Invasive Carp and do not release them alive. Water Level and Discharge: As of March 17th, Clinton Reservoir was near normal pool level. In early March, 200 cfs was released for several days. Water releases have been dropped back to normal (7 cfs). Most recent water level conditions can be found at the following website: https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Clinton-Lake/Daily-Lake-Info-2/ Invasive Species: Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat when you leave to prevent the spread of Zebra mussels. Do not transport live bait captured from Clinton Reservoir. Fish Habitat: 20 Crappie jacks were placed near Bloomington West Park and should provide good habitat for shore fishing.

DOUGLAS COUNTY-LONE STAR LAKE - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

General Comments
Fisheries Newsletter			If you want to keep up with fisheries developments at Lonestar (including GPS coordinates for any newly placed brush piles), sign up for the Lawrence District Newletter at the following link: http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Lawrence-Fishing-District
Channel Catfish	Fair	0.5-6 lbs	Catfish can be caught using nightcrawlers, cut bait, and stink bait.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	0.5-5 lbs	Bass fishing is slow until water temperatures warm in mid to late spring. Bass can be found near deep weeds.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 0.25 lbs	Bluegill can be found near deep weeds.
Crappie	Good	up to 1lbs	Crappie are transitioning from winter their winter patterns. Weather patterns greatly influence fishing success and fish location.
Recent fisheries surveys in May 2022 documented a healthy Largemouth Bass population, with many fish in the 14-18 inch range, and a few fish exceeding 5 lbs. Brush piles were placed at the following location on 6/22/22: 2 west side of dam (~13ft): N 38 50.370', W 95 22.964'2 north west cove (~12 ft): N 38 50.348', W 95 22.947'4 east side of dam(~14ft): N 38 50.418', W 95 22.647'2 Big tree east cove near boat ramp (~12 ft): N 38 50.122', W 95 22.632'41 east point near boat ramp (~20ft): N 38 50.155', W 95 22.693' Crappie Jacks were placed around the new ADA access dock on 9/21/22

DOUGLAS STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

General Comments
Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Channel catfish	Fair	0.5-4 lbs	Catfish are being caught using nightcrawlers, minnows, stink bait, and cut bait.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	0.5-3 lbs	Fish can be found in near aquatic vegetation edges and brush piles. Bass fishing is slow until water temperatures increase in mid to late spring
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 0.33 lbs	Fish can be found in near aquatic vegetation edges in 5-10ft. Target bluegill using worms under a bobber, jigs, and small spinners.
Crappie	Good	.5 to 1 lbs	Crappie are beginning to stage offshore of spawning areas. Fish location and fishing success is highly dependent on weather patterns this time of year.
Fisheries Newsletter			If you want to keep up with what's going on at Douglas State Fishing Lake sign up for the Lawrence District 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

GARDNER CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 8 inches	Livebait under a bobber fished near structure or vegetation edges.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Up to 14 lb.	Channel catfish can be taken now on a variety of live or prepared baits.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 12 inches	Use minnows and jigs near docks and vegetation edges.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 4 lbs	Finesse plastics, jigs, or spinner-baits target docks and vegetation edges.
White Bass	Fair	14 to 17 inches	White bass can be taken in open water on shad imitation lures.
General Comments

GEARY STATE FISHING REPORT - Last Updated: 3/20/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	Fair	near brush/rock drop offs and channel ledges 10 ft deep on jigs, minnows, and spinners
Catfish	Fair	near wind blown flats on cut bait and worms
Saugeye	Fair	near dam and rock points on jigs, worms, and crankbaits
Black bass	Slow/Fair	near rock and brush on jigs and crankbaits
Bluegill	Fair	on small jigs and worms in coves and near brush
General Comments
This deep clear lake offers a diverse fishery. Best for 2023 should be for saugeye, crappie, and largemouth bass. WARNING..ZEBRA MUSSELS NOW PRESENT!!!

HERINGTON CITY LAKE (NEW) - Last Updated: 3/20/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Catfish	Fair	near wind blown flats and creeks on cut bait and worms
Crappie	Fair	near points, brush, and rock 10ft deep on jigs and minnows
Walleye	Fair	along the dam and edges of flats and points on jigs, worms, and spoons
White Bass/Wipers	Slow/Fair	along creeks, dam and points on spinners, jigs, and crankbaits
General Comments
This lake provides a diverse fishery, but best in 2023 should be crappie, wiper, and white bass.

HERINGTON CITY LAKE (OLD) - Last Updated: 3/20/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Catfish	Fair	near wind blown flats and creeks on cut bait and worms
Crappie	Fair	near brush and rock 5ft deep on jigs and minnows
Largemouth Bass	Slow/Fair
Bluegill	Slow/Fair	near brush/rock 5ft deep on jigs and worms
White Bass	Slow/Fair	along creeks and dam on spinners and crankbaits
General Comments
This shallow lake has the best fishing for crappie and channel catfish which are stocked annually. Blue-Green Algae: Current advisories and warnings are listed here: https://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm

HILLSDALE RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Walleye	Fair	Up to 9 lbs.	Walleye will be starting spawning behaviors soon. Target them along the dam and other areas with riprap habitat and staging areas near these locations. Shallow running crankbaits often produce the most success.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 13 inches	Target brushpiles, vegetation edges, and channel ledges. Jigs and minnows are both producing fish.
White Bass	Fair	Up to 2 lbs.	Target white bass off wind blown points. Jigs and shad imitation lures are the best baits right now.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Up to 4 lbs.	Target shallow water structure. Plastic baits are producing the most fish.
Newsletter	Good	4 pages	Click the following link to sign up for the newsletter http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Kansas-City-Fishing-District
Channel Catfish	Fair	Up to 10 lbs.	Channel catfish can be taken on a variety of baits lakewide using prepared or live baits.
General Comments
WATER LEVEL: As of March 16th the water level is at conservation pool. You can check current water conditions at http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/HillsdaleLake/DailyLakeInformation.aspx Zebra mussel infestation has been confirmed at Hillsdale Reservoir. As of 6/17/16 the lake has been designated an Aquatic Nuisance Species water. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS designated waters. Please remember to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boats and equipment before using another waterbody. Dispose of all bait on dry land. Please search ksoutdoors.com for more information about zebra mussels.

HOLTON - BANNER CREEK - Last Updated: 9/2/2022 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Lake Contour Map	Pretty Good	8.5"x11" Color	Banner Creek has been mapped by the Kansas Biological Survey and there is a map available at Contour Map
Perry Newsletter	Good to Excellent		Twice a year I will publish a newsletter discussing Perry and other waters in the district. If you would like the newsletter emailed to you click here and fill in the blanks.
Black Crappie	Fair	up to 1.25 lbs.	Some crappie can be caught by targeting brush in the 10-20 foot range.
Bluegill	Fair	up to 0.5 lbs.	Bluegill can be caught over brush piles or near rock using chunks of worm or small jigs.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 12.5 lbs.	Catfish can be caught from shore using cut bait, stink bait, or livers. Many fish are up shallow right now.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 3.5 lbs.	Crankbaits, spinners or plastics along the shoreline, rip rap and structure.
Walleye/ Sauger	Slow to Fair	Walleye up to 6.25 lbs. Sauger up to 2 lbs.	Some anglers are having luck catching Walleye along the dam or off of submerged humps. Others have targeted these fish trolling along the creek channel in the mid-part of the lake.
White Bass	Fair	up to 2.5 lbs.	Cast a jig along the rocks or along the dam to target them. Some anglers have been catching a good number of nice sized fish.
General Comments
If you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at nick.kramer@ks.gov The locations of fish habitat placed in this lake can be found here Please leave all habitat at these locations. Do not drag these to your own secret locations. Great Kansas Fishing Derby May 15 to Sept 15 Visit www.ksfishderby.com for more info; Tagged Fish - Channel Catfish, Black Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Carp, Flathead, Carp, Sauger

JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER - MAKE-UP LAKE - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Black Bass	Slow	1 to 5 pounds	The lake has traditionally had a good smallmouth bass population, but the current population abundance is well below the historical average. Hopefully, the population rebounds in the near future. The corners of the dam and along the East bank are the best places for smallmouth. The lake has very few largemouth bass.
Crappie	Fair	1/2 to 1 pound	Modest numbers of crappie with most below 10 inches. There is a brushpile just south of the dock.
Catfish	Fair	1/2 to 6 pounds	The lake has supported a good channel catfish harvest rate through the years. The southwest corner of the lake and the northern 2 coves tend to be good spots. The lake has a low level blue catfish population with most below 20 inches. The lake is home to some big flathead. If the inlet is flowing, then good fishing can be found there for all three species.
Walleye and Sauger	Fair	1 to 5 pounds	The 2022 fall gill netting and electrofishing samples indicate the lake has a fair walleye population available with most over the 15-inch minimum length limit. Sauger were introduced into the lake in 2021. So far sauger are doing well and fair numbers of them should reach the 15-inch minimum length limit by mid-spring of 2023. The two species (walleye & sauger) are combined in KS regulations and an angler can harvest a combined total of 2 per day at the Jeffrey Lakes.
White Bass	Fair	1/2 to 2 pounds	White bass numbers have fallen rather far over the last year. Fishing for white bass should still be decent this year but below the highs seen the previous six years.
Wipers	Fair	Up to 12 pounds	Wiper numbers are below normal but the size structure is good with 65% of the fish collected last fall were over 20 inches.
General Comments
Anglers need to check into the Jeffrey Energy Center Guard House located north of St. Mary's, then west off K-63 Hwy. You can call the Guard House to check on availability at (785) 456-6149. The Jeffrey Energy Center allows 30 anglers to fish at any one time. If the inlet is flowing, then good fishing can usually be found there. Make-Up Lake has zebra mussels which makes the lake designated as a Aquatic Nuisance Species water. It is illegal to transport alive fish from ANS designated waters. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY all equipment when changing water bodies and dump your bait.

JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER AUX. LAKE - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Black Bass	Fair	1 to 4 lbs	The smallmouth bass population is quickly recovering from a surprising collapse 5 years ago. The most recent sample shows great numbers of young fish with fair numbers of fish over 11". The dam is a great spot to start looking for smallmouth. The lake has maintained a moderate to low level largemouth bass population through the years. The 2022 sample showed the population has regressed and would be considered a poor fishery for the immediate future. The East bank, South cove and around the island are usually the best largemouth spots.
White Bass	Good+	Up to 3 lbs	White bass numbers are still doing well while maintaining an excellent size structure. Of the fish collected in October 2022, 86% were at least 12 inches long and 21% were over 15 inches! Good stuff.
Wiper	Fair	Up to 12 lbs	Wiper numbers are right at the long-term average for abundance but are currently on the small side with only 25% over 20 inches.
Walleye and Sauger	Fair	Up to 5 lbs	The walleye population is maintained through regular stockings and currently has modest numbers of 16 to 19 inch fish. The lake is now home to an emerging sauger population that has already exceeded walleye sample numbers. It is hoped that sauger can help bolster the numbers of fish available for anglers that regularly target walleye. Walleye and sauger are grouped together in KS regulations and a total of 2 per day can be harvest at the Jeffrey Lakes if they are over the 15-inch minimum length limit.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 1.5 lbs	Crappie numbers have never been prolific at this lake but they have been on the upswing the last few years. The current size structure looks awesome as nearly every fish we handled last fall was over 11 inches. There is some habitat cubes along the dock and a big brush pile along the point just North of the boat ramp.
General Comments
Auxiliary Lake is closed to anglers until March 16 to allow for waterfowl hunting at the lake Anglers need to check into the Jeffrey Energy Center Guard House located north of St. Mary's, then west off K-63 Hwy. You can call the Guard House to check on availability at (785) 456-6149. The Jeffrey Energy Center allows 30 anglers to fish at any one time. Auxiliary Lake has zebra mussels which makes the lake designated as a Aquatic Nuisance Species water. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS designated waters. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY all equipment when changing water bodies and dump your bait.

LAKE SHAWNEE - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

General Comments
Fisheries Newsletter			If you want to keep up with what's going on at Lake Shawnee (including GPS coordinates for any new brush piles placed into the lake) sign up for the Lawrence District 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
Zebra Mussels were	found	in Lake	Shawnee during the summer of 2013. Lake users should Clean, Drain, and Dry boats, trailers, and any equipment that comes in contact with the water to keep from moving zebra mussels elsewhere.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 0.25 lbs	Bluegill can be caught near near deep weeds and habitat structures
Channel catfish	Good	0.5-6 lbs	Some fish being caught using cut bait, liver, and stink bait.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	0.5-3 lbs	Bass fishing is slow until water temperature warm in mid to late spring. Bass can be found near deep weeds
Wiper	Good	2-5lbs	Wiper can be caught along the dam and near steep dropoffs using swim baits and shad imitations.
Crappie	Good	.5 - 1lbs	Crappie are beginning to stage offshore from spawning areas. Some fish being caught in the heated dock. Weather patterns greatly influence fishing success and fish location
Please do not use magnet fishing around fishing docks. This activity can damage fish habitat and cause fish to displace.

LEAVENWORTH STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 1/23/2023 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method & Location

Invasive Species Alert

Not Good

Brittle Naiad has been found near the boat ramp. Please inspect your boat and trailer before leaving to ensure you are not transporting this invasive plant.

Perry Newsletter

Good

Twice a year I will be publishing a newsletter with Perry and other waters in the district. If you would like the newsletter e-mailed to you click here and fill in the blanks.

Largemouth Bass

Fair to Good

up to 2.5 lbs

Bass are being caught by anglers using jigs or plastics along the shoreline and in & around brush piles, rip-rap, and fallen trees.

Channel Catfish

Fair to Good

up to 2.5 lbs

Channel Catfish may be taken occasionally from shore using cut bait or livers. From a boat, some catfish can be found near brush piles.

Flathead Catfish

Fair to Good

up to 30 lbs

This lake has a decent number of Flathead Catfish. They can be caught using a small sunfish along the dam or other rocky areas.

Bluegill

Fair

up to 0.4 lbs

Bluegill can be caught using a chunk of worm jigged over brush piles and weed beds.

Crappie

Slow to Fair

up to 1.25 lbs

Some crappie have been caught by anglers jigging minnows off points in 15-20 feet of water.

Redear Sunfish

Slow to Fair

up to 0.75 lbs

This lake has a good population of shellcrackers. Redear can be caught using a small chunk of worm near brushpiles and shoreline habitat. Best luck would come from a boat or kayak in the coves further up each of the arms.

General Comments

Early this year, a group of a dozen volunteers aided KDWP in installing numerous brush piles on the lake. Rural Leavenworth, Inc. also received a Friends of Reservoirs grant and purchased artificial habitat to place in the lake. The locations of these brushpiles and artificial habitat will be found here soon or are listed below:

Lat	Long	Description
39 07.403	-95 08.951	Fishiding Artificial Habitat
39 07.555	-95 08.809	Tree Pile
39 07.738	-95 08.823	Tree Pile
39 07.666	-95 09.182	Tree Pile
39 07.573	-95 08.820	Tree Pile
39 07.511	-95 08.893	Tree Pile
39 07.475	-95 08.920	Tree Pile
39 07.398	-95 08.974	Tree Pile
39 07.546	-95 08.779	Tree Pile
39 07.533	-95 08.747	Tree Pile
39 07.595	-95 08.678	Tree Pile
39 07.433	-95 08.942	Tree Pile
39 07.579	-95 08.647	Tree Pile
39 07.365	-95 09.036	Tree Pile
39 07.626	-95 09.315	Tree Pile
39 07.835	-95 08.729	Tree Pile
39 07.793	-95 08.627	Tree Pile

If you have information that you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at nick.kramer@ks.gov.

Special note: The lake has non-native aquatic plants! Please inspect your trailer and fishing gear before leaving the lake to ensure you are not transporting these plants to any other lakes.

Please pick up and take home any trash that you may have brought with you.

LOUISBURG-MIDDLE CREEK SFL - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Slow	1/2 to 11 lbs.	Channel catfish can be taken right now on a variety of baits lakewide.
Flathead Catfish	Slow	Most 4-10lbs. But some up to 30lbs.	Target structure and vegetation edges with live bait. Boulders south of the dam also hold some flathead catfish.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 12 inches	Minnows and jigs are producing the most fish right now. Majority of the population is 8-10 inches, but some nicer ones can be found. Some crappie are being caught slow trolling jigs and small crankbaits.
Saugeye	Fair	Up to 3 lbs.	Saugeye are being caught near submerged roadbed and flats adjacent to the dam. Jigs are the best producing bait right now. Most of the saugeye being caught right now are shorts, but some keepers (> 18 inches) are being found as well.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 3 lbs.	Largemouth can be taken on finesse plastics and spinnerbaits fished near trees in the coves and at vegetation edges. Some are being taken on the flats with crankbaits.
Wiper/White Bass	Fair	Up to 4 lbs.	Crankbaits and shad imitation baits fished near submerged road also target near schools of gizzard shad.
General Comments

MIAMI STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Largemouth Bass	Fair	0.5-5 lbs	Plastic finesse baits along vegetation edges are producing the best right now.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 0.33 lbs	Jigs or worms fished near shoreline structure.
Channel Cat	Fair	1-10 lbs	Channel cats can be taken now on a variety of live or prepared baits.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 13 inches	Crappie can be taken on jigs near culvert and rock jetties. Crappie are being caught on both sides of the culvert at this time. Majority of the fish being caught are around 8 inches, but some larger ones can be found.
White Bass	Slow	14-17 inches	White bass can be taken on shad imitation lures and white marabou jigs.
General Comments
Curly-leaf pondweed will start to show up in April.

MILFORD RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/20/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method, Location
Catfish	Fair/Good	Channel catfish can be caught on cut bait, worms, and stink bait. Blue catfish are typically caught on fresh cut bait. Target wind blown flats and river channel ledges for catfish. LOOK FOR RECENTLY TAGGED BLUE CATS!!! Blue Catfish...all between 25"-40" must be released...creel limit is still 5, but only 1 can be 40" or longer
Crappie	Fair	10-20ft deep suspended near points, flooded brush, and ledges on jigs and minnows
Walleye	Fair	Target rocky or wind-swept mud banks or along dam with jigs, crankbaits, or bottom bouncers w/ worms 21" minimum length limit, 2/day creel limit.
White Bass/Wipers	Slow/Fair	Target windy banks and points using jigs on reservoir Wiper creel limit is now 5/day
Smallmouth Bass	Slow/Fair
Largemouth Bass	Slow/Fair
Outlet	Slow/Fair	Catfish on cut bait; walleye, white bass, and wipers on jigs.
General Comments
*LOOK FOR RECENTLY TAGGED BLUE CATS!!!* *Wiper...creel limit is 5/day* *Blue Catfish...all between 25"-40" must be released...creel limit is still 5, but only 1 can be 40" or longer* CAUTION: DO NOT TRANSFER LIVE BAIT FROM ONE BODY OF WATER TO ANOTHER!!! ALONG WITH ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATION, ASIAN CARP ARE IN DRAINAGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE KANSAS RIVER AND CAN EASILY BE MISTAKEN FOR SHAD!!! Blue-Green Algae: Current information listed here: https://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm WARNING! ZEBRA MUSSELS NOW IN RESERVOIR AND OUTLET! Sign up for the most recent Milford district fisheries newsletter today! Daily water info Daily Lake Information

NEBO STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 9/2/2022 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Perry District Newsletter	Good to Excellent		Twice a year I will be publishing a newsletter with Perry and other waters in my district. If you would like to have the newsletter e-mailed to you click here and fill in the blanks.
Bluegill	Slow to Fair	up to 0.3 lbs.	Bluegill can be caught using a small chunk of worm or small ice jigs over brush piles
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 5.0 lbs	Channel catfish can still be caught using worms, cut shad, or doughballs.
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	up to 7.0 lbs	The lake contains a nice population of larger fish for a small State Fishing Lake. They can be caught using spinnerbaits, plastics, or crankbaits around the brush piles.
White/ Black Crappie	Fair	up to 1.0 lbs.	Tube jig or minnow along shoreline and around the brush piles. Water is dirty so choose baits that will make a lot of noise both in color and in sound. Best luck would come near the islands on the north shore.
Comments
If you have information that you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at nick.kramer@ks.gov.

OLATHE - LAKE OLATHE - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 8 inches	Nightcrawler under a bobber fished near shoreline structure.
Channel Catfish	Slow	Up to 5 lbs.	Channel catfish are being taken on live and prepared baits.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 6 lb.	Largemouth bass have moved shallow. Largemouth bass can be found at edges of water willow, rock edges, and shallow brush. Plastic baits are producing best right now.
Saugeye	Slow	Up to 4 lbs.	Jigs tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the flat. Shad imitation baits will also produce bites. There is a good population of 18 inch saugeye available to anglers right now.
Wiper	Slow	Up to 11 lbs.	Use shad imitation baits and find bait fish near drop-offs.
White Crappie	Slow	Most fish around 7 inches, but some are greater than 10 inches.	Jigs or minnows fished near brushpiles.
General Comments
Caution!!! Asian Carp have made their way up stream to below Lake Olathe dam. Remember it is illegal to move fish from below dam to above the dam or use fish captured below dam for bait above the dam.

PAOLA CITY LAKE - LAKE MIOLA - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Largemouth Bass	Fair	0.5-4 lbs	Finesse plastics fished near vegetation edges and structure.
Channel catfish	Fair	0.5-6 lbs	Chicken liver or worms fished near mainlake points.
Crappie	Fair	0.5-1 lbs	Minnows and jigs are catching fish right now. Crappie are shallow near structure, brushpiles, weed edges, and rock banks.
Saugeye	Fair	Up to 22 inches	Saugeye can be found drifting or trolling mudflats using jigs tipped with nightcrawler or jigging spoons.
Wiper	Slow	Up to 24 inches	Use shad imitation baits fished near main lake points.
Bluegill and Redear Sunfish	Fair	Up to 10 inches	Use piece of nightcrawler or small jig at vegetation edges and rocky structures to target the panfish.

General Comments
Zebra mussels have been found at Paola City Lake (Lake Miola). The lake has been designated as an Aquatic Nuisance Species water. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS designated waters. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY all equipment when changing water bodies and dump your bait. More brushpiles were added again on 3/17/20. Some new brushpiles were created and some brush was added to some of the existing 2018/19 structures. Many of the new brushpiles can also be accessed by casting from the shore. GPS Coordinate locations for all brushpiles. N 38.58540, W 094.84338 N 38.58954, W 094.84549 N 38.58493, W 094.84037 N 38.59411, W 094.84538 N 38.58334, W 094.84544 N 38.58928, W 094.85039 N 38.58596, W 094.84532

PERRY RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 9/2/2022 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method & Location

Zebra Mussels

Invasive!

up to 3/4"

Since the infestation was discovered in Oct. of 2007 these mussels have spread throughout the lake. It's up to all of us to make sure these are not spread to other area lakes, Clean-Drain-Dry everything that is taken out of Perry. Mussels will start spawning as the water temperature rises to around 54 degrees. Please do not move water from Perry Reservoir.

Perry District Newsletter

Good-Excellent

We publish a newsletter for Perry and other waters in the district twice a year. If you would like the letter e-mailed to you click here and fill in the blanks.

Channel Catfish

Good

up to 10.0 lbs

Try targeting larger rocky shorelines or adjacent mudflats with nightcrawlers and cutbait.

Sauger

Slow

up to 2.6 lbs.

There are good numbers in the reservoir but are difficult to target. Try trolling crankbaits or lindy rigs along the dam. Casting a jig or crankbait in areas under a light may produce some fish during the night.

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Fair

up to 5.0 lbs.

Lots of small 8-10 inch bass were seen this past spring. Fishing should be great as these fish continue to grow. Try casting crankbaits and spinner jigs near any of the newly fallen trees along the shoreline.

White Bass

Fair

up to 1.5 lbs.

White Bass can be caught using any bait resembling a shad or even from crappie jigs. These fish should be running up the river soon and a few early runners may be caught now or other staging in upper ends of the reservoir.

White Crappie

Slow to Fair

up to 1.5 lbs.

Crappie are scattered now but can be found pulling crankbaits during the day or fishing under a light at night.

Blue Catfish

Fair

up to 25.0 lbs.

A few nice fish in the 35 inch length limit range can be caught, many fish are below the length limit, with a few blue catfish over the 35 inch minimum length limit. Remember blue cats look similar to channel catfish, so be careful with identification.

Comments

For current lake elevation, inflow, and outflow click here and for the lake forecast click here.

The North boat ramp inside of Perry State Park is closed for resurfacing starting August 3rd, 2022. Project completion is dependent on weather. All other boat ramps are open for use.

If you would like to place habitat in Perry Reservoir or contribute to the fishing report, please contact the Fish Biologist, Nick, at nick.kramer@ks.gov to obtain a permit.

The locations of all known fish habitat can be found here.

There are some artificial structures placed that haven't been added to the above map yet:

N39°08.628'	W095°28.683'
N39°08.843'	W095°28.463'
N39°08.818'	W095°28.315'
N39°08.786'	W095°28.202'
N39°08.807'	W095°27.998'
N39°08.842'	W095°27.503'
N39°08.848'	W095°27.292'
N39°13.334'	W095°26.792'
N39°13.249'	W095°26.833'
N39°13.169'	W095°26.747'

This is a generic report and will be updated as information becomes available.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Black Crappie	Fair	1/3 to 1 lb.	Moderate numbers of crappie.
Bluegill	Fair to Good	6 to 10 inches	The lake has a nice bluegill population.
Channel Catfish	Fair	1/2 to 6 lbs.	The lake contains good numbers of catfish for a small lake.
Largemouth Bass	Good	1/2 to 4 lbs.	The lake has been maintaining a great largemouth bass population, however the percentage of bass over 15 inches dropped in the 2021 sample. Bass 13 to 18 inches long are protected at this lake.
General Comments
This small 49 acre lake is located in northeast Pott. County. The fishing conditions are very similar to that of a large farm pond. The lake is noted for good catch and release largemouth bass fishing due to the abundance of the species.

POTTAWATOMIE STATE FISHING LAKE NO. 1 - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Bluegill	Fair to Good	Up to 9 inches	The bluegill population offers good numbers of 6 to 8 inch fish. Great place to take a kid with worms and a bobber.
Channel Catfish	Slow	3/4 to 5 pounds	The lake has a low level catfish population.
Crappie	Fair	1/2 to 1 pound	Crappie abundance has improved but there are still few fish over 10 inches.
Largemouth Bass	Good	1/2 to 5 pounds	The lake is known for being a good spot for catch and release bass fishing. The 2022 annual sampling effort showed that the lake continues to provide a great largemouth bass fishery. Abundance was at a five year high and the size structure was solid with 34% of the fish over 12 inches. You can catch them pretty much anywhere at this lake.
General Comments
This small 24 acre lake is similar to pond fishing. The lake is known for catch and release of largemouth bass and harvest of nice bluegill. The lake's channel catfish are protected by a 15 inch minimum length limit.

POTTAWATOMIE STATE FISHING LAKE NO. 2 - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Black Bass	Fair	1/2 to 4 pounds	The 2022 sample records that the black bass population has been holding steady for some time now, with good numbers of largemouth bass and a moderate smallmouth bass population.
Channel Catfish	Good	3/4 to 5 pounds	The lake is in the Urban Stocking Program which provides regular stockings of 12 to 18 inch channel catfish. The lake received 3,400 channel catfish in 2022. Best baits tend to be worms or commercial catfish baits. Channel catfish creel at the lake is 5 per day.
Crappie	Fair	1/4 to 1 pound	The lake has supported a decent crappie population through time. The current population is doing well with above average numbers of fish over 10 inches with a few really big crappie as well. There is some habitat structures just out from the boat ramp dock and under the buoy.
Bluegill and Redear Sunfish	Fair	less than pound	The lake has struggled to grow sunfish to a size large enough that anglers want to keep for frying. The population receives high angling pressure from both panfish anglers and from anglers targeting sunfish to use for catfish bait. To hopefully continue to please both angler bases and help increase the overall size structure of sunfish, the lake is being implemented with a special sunfish regulation starting in 2019. This new slot limit requires the release of sunfish species from 6 to 9 inches. The creel limit of fish over 9 inches is five per day and there is still unlimited daily harvest of fish less than 6 inches. This regulation change will be evaluated over time to verify if it will continue into the future.
General Comments
Pott. # 2 is noted for family outings, scenic views, catch and release bass fishing, harvest of small crappie and channel catfish.

ROCKY FORD FISHING AREA - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Catfish	Fair	1 to 20+ pounds	Fishing for all three species of catfish can be good at Rocky Ford. Channel can be caught on worms, cut bait or prepared bait. Flathead can be taken on live bait or lures. Blue catfish are usually caught on fresh cut bait. Please check any blue catfish for a yellow or orange tag in its back as we have been tagging some to collect more information on the species in Tuttle Creek Lake and the Big Blue River. Feel free to harvest or release the fish, but please report the tag number and the general location of the catch to (620) 342-0658 or ely.sprenkle@ks.gov A big THANK YOU to all who report their catch!
White Bass and Wipers	Fair	1/2 to 8 pounds	Is a good spot for white bass and wipers. The low releases rates usually have them just below the dam.
Drum	Fair	1/2 to 5 lbs.	Drum are an abundant species at Rocky Ford and can be caught on worms, minnows, and jigs.
Saugeye	Fair	3/4 to 5 pounds	One of the best places around to catch saugeye. Brightly colored jigs, swimbaits, crankbaits or jerkbaits. Fair numbers of 14 to 16 inch saugeye. There is no length based regulations at Rocky Ford for saugeye or walleye.
General Comments
Rocky Ford , a river fishery, is located just south of the Tuttle Creek Dam on the Big Blue River. Anglers have the opportunity to harvest fishes generally associated with moving water. Saugeye, white bass, the catfishes, drum, crappie and carp can be harvested. Angler access and success is affected by release rates from the nearby Tuttle Creek Reservoir. You can check current conditions HERE Tuttle Creek Lake has zebra mussels and makes the lake, the River Pond, and Rocky Ford designated as Aquatic Nuisance Species waters. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS designated waters. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY all equipment when changing water bodies, do not move fish and dump your bait. We will be conducting angler interviews at Rocky Ford this year to get a better understanding of what anglers want to fish for. Thank you to all that agree to be interviewed.

SABETHA PONY CREEK - Last Updated: 9/2/2022 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Perry District Newsletter	Good to Excellent		Twice a year I will be publishing a newsletter with Perry and other waters in my district. If you would like the newsletter e-mailed to you click here newsletter and fill in the blanks.
Black Crappie	Good	up to 1.5 lbs	Some anglers have been pulling fish out of the timber or along the pond dam on the west side using slip bobbers with either a minnow or a jig.
Bluegill	Fair to Good	up to 0.5 lbs	Bluegill may be caught using a chunk of worm or a small jig over brush piles.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 17.0 lbs	There are some nice sized Channel Catfish in this impoundment. They can be caught from shore using cut bait or livers
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	up to 5.0 lbs.	Best success for bass is coming by using soft plastic worms near structure in 3-10 ft or water or just off of the many ledges.
Walleye	Slow to Fair	up to 5.5 lbs.	Walleye may be found along the dam and off of points.
Wiper	Great	up to 7.5 lbs.	Wipers may be caught by fishing along points in the lake using any lure that resembles a shad. Luck could also be had by trolling along the dam and open areas.
General Comments
Attention anglers, If you fish this water body and would like to contribute your knowledge to the fishing report shoot an email to nick.kramer@ks.gov. Thanks! This is a generic report and will be updated as information becomes available.

SHAWNEE MISSION PARK LAKE - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Bluegill	Slow	Up to 8 inches	Livebait under a bobber fished near shoreline structure.
Crappie	Slow	Up to 15 inches	Worms and minnows near structure are producing the best.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Up to 6 lbs.	Some being caught lake wide. Best bite with fresh cut bait.
Wiper	Slow	Up to 9 lbs.	Live bait and shad imitation baits along the dam are producing the best.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Up to 4 lbs.	Bright spinnerbaits are working best right now fished near shallow structure.
Trout	Good		Small spinners and powerbait trout nibbles are producing fish.
General Comments
In addition to a state fishing license, a Johnson County fishing permit is required. If you plan to fish for trout, a Johnson County trout permit is also required. Johnson County fishing/trout permits are available through Johnson County Parks and Recreation District and other select vendors.

SHAWNEE STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/22/2023 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method, and Location

Largemouth Bass

Good

1/2 to 6 pounds

The lake has been maintaining a very good population of largemouth bass for the last ten years. The 2022 spring electrofishing sample collected the second highest number of bass ever at the lake. The high numbers of young bass has shifted the size structure to an overall smaller average size of bass. Historically, the lake has been one of the best places around to catch largemouth over 15 inches and this should continue to be true for the foreseeable future.

Crappie

Fair

1/2 to 1 pound

The crappie fishery is doing well. The October 2022 sampling produced the most crappie over 10 inches in the history of the lake. Should be a good year for fishing.

Channel Catfish

Good

1/2 - 4 pounds

The lake is in the Urban Stocking Program and is regularly stocked with 12 to 18 inch channel catfish which leads to good catch rates of fish in that size range. The first stocking of 2023 went in on March 21st when the lake received 1,060 of these catchable sized channel catfish. The recently stocked fish usually like all the traditional catfish baits but dough baits or worms tends to do the best. Channel catfish daily limit is 5.

General Comments

Located north of Silver Lake, Shawnee State Fishing Lake is the site of good catch and release largemouth bass fishing. The lake is also noted for channel catfish harvest since the lake receives frequent stockings of harvestable sized catfish from March through September. The Jeffrey Energy Center Lakes and Perry Reservoir both have zebra mussels and with Shawnee State Lake being close it is at high risk. Please, always clean your boat when moving to different water bodies.

Fish habitat GPS coordinates		Decimal Degrees		Degrees Minutes
East end of dam	cedar trees	39.200351	-95.801881	N 39 12.021	W 95 48.113
West end of dam	cedar trees	39.200640	-95.805438	N 39 12.038	W 95 48.326
Out from ramp	brush pile	39.201053	-95.801924	N 39 12.063	W 95 48.115

TUTTLE CREEK - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	1/2 to 2 pounds	Reports about crappie have been limited but starting to hear of a few anglers doing well on big crappie in 12 to 15 feet of water around brush. The lake has provided excellent crappie fishing the last three years by maintaining a great population. The 2022 fall sample shows that numbers of crappie are still above the long-term average but the percentage of fish over 12-inches has fallen from the record high documented in 2021.
White Bass	Slow to Fair	1/2 to 2 pounds	White bass numbers have been low due to limited spawning success for most of the last decade. The species did produce a robust spawn in 2021 which has helped bolster the fishery. The current population is offering decent numbers of white bass from 10 to 12 inches long.
Channel Catfish	Slow to Fair	Good numbers of 20" fish with fair numbers of bigger ones.	The lake and the connected river system maintains a good channel catfish population and has been one of the best places around to catch channel cats over 8 pounds. The 2021 sampling effort collected the most channel catfish in nine years with 11% of them over 28 inches. The 2022 sample shows a reduction of those bigger fish but also shows a group of small fish growing fast which will hopefully fill that gap. Fishing in the upper end of the lake and the river tends to be the most consistent spots for channel.
Blue Catfish	Fair	Most less than 28" but getting a few over 40 pounds	No recent reports but the best fishing tends to be in the upper end of the lake on cut bait. New regulations starting in 2022: 10 fish daily creel limit which may include only one fish 30 inches or longer. The blue catfish population is finally becoming well established and is now able to support more harvest. Fair numbers of 22" to 28" blue catfish with a good group of 16" to 18" fish coming on. Please check any blue catfish for a yellow or orange tag in its back as we have been tagging fish to collect more information on the species in Tuttle Creek Lake. It is up to you if you wish to release the fish or harvest it (if legally applicable), but please report the tag number and the general location of the catch to (620) 342-0658 or ely.sprenkle@ks.gov A big THANK YOU to all who report their catch!
Largemouth Bass	Slow to Fair	1 to 5 pounds	Coves in southern third of the Reservoir have some locally good largemouth bass populations. The McIntyre Cove area tends to produce the best fishing with Carnahan Cove second best.
Saugeye	Fair+	Up to 6 pounds	Record high numbers of young saugeye from the 2021 stocking! As of October 2022, most of these saugeye had already reached 14 inches and the bulk of 2021 year-class should exceed the 15" minimum length limit by mid-spring. Fishing should be good in the Reservoir in 2023 but typically the best opportunities to harvest saugeye is downstream of the lake in the River Pond or Rocky Ford. Casting crankbaits, brightly colored jigs or dragging a worm.
Rainbow Trout	Good	Up to 5 pounds	Willow Lake (located below the Tuttle Creek dam) is stocked with rainbow trout during the cooler months. The sixth stocking went in on March 2nd for a total of 5,930 trout so far this season. A trout permit is required to fish at Willow Lake during the trout season which is from November 1st to April 15th. Creel limit is 5 trout per day. Anglers have been doing well with trout getting active as things warm up. Commercial dough baits, canned corn and worms have been best with a few starting to hit spinners. Good Luck!
General Comments
You can check current water conditions HERE Tuttle Creek has zebra mussels which makes the lake, the River Pond and Rocky Ford designated as Aquatic Nuisance Species waters. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS designated waters. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY all equipment when changing water bodies and please do not move fish you have caught or your bait.

WASHINGTON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 1/3 lb	The lake has a decent bluegill population.
Channel Catfish	Good	Up to 15 lbs	The lake supports good numbers of channel catfish and the size of fish is well above average with 24% of the fish collected last fall were over 24 inches.
Crappie	Fair	Most 8"-10"	The crappie population is doing well. Ran into a pile of 14+ inchers while electrofishing last spring. One was 16" and 2.7 pounds!
Largemouth Bass	Good	Up to 6 lbs	The largemouth bass population continues to improve and I would now call it a good bass lake. The 2022 sample showed robust numbers of bass with plenty over 18 inches.
Saugeye	Slow	Up to 3 lbs	Saugeye numbers are low and harvest is expected to be low until the population rebounds through new stocking efforts.
General Comments
New dock is in!

WYANDOTTE COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Black Crappie	Slow	Up to 13 inches	Jigs or minnows near deeper brush or drop-offs.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber.
Channel Catfish	Slow	Up to 10 pounds	Worms or cut bait are producing the best right now.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 5 pounds	Finesse plastics near deeper structure or vegetated flats.
Smallmouth Bass	Slow	Up to 17 inches	Crankbaits or jigs near rocky habitat.
Wiper/White Bass	Slow	Up to 17 inches	Shad imitation baits off wind blown points or flats
General Comments
A Wyandotte County fishing permit is required to fish this property. A Wyandotte County trout permit is required for trout fishing. Please contact Wyandotte County Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department at 913-573-8327 for more information.

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BARBER STATE FISHING LAKE - LOWER - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Sizes Possible	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	Poor to Fair	Up to 12 inches	Try jigs & minnows around brush and weeds in deeper water.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Most in the 1 lb. size range	Fishing cut bait, frozen shrimp or stink bait lake wide.
Largemouth bass	Fair to Good	Up to 4 lbs.	Casting soft plastics or jerk baits in deeper water.
Sunfish	Fair	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush.
Walleye	Fair	Up to 4 lbs	Try using large crankbaits or jigs near flats and points.

Barber State Fishing Lake and all other public fishing waters in Pratt and Barber counties are now a part of the Cheney district. This district also includes Harper, Kingman, Reno, and Harvey counties. A Cheney District newsletter is available. Information about fishing and fisheries management throughout southcentral Kansas will be updated at least twice each year. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms and click on Cheney Fishing District.

Great Kansas Fishing Derby May 15 to Sept 15 Visit www.ksfishderby.com for more info; Tagged Fish - Channel Catfish, Black Bass, Crappie, Bluegill

CLARK STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Sizes Possible	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	No report	Up to 12 inches	Drifting jigs over deeper water in the main body of the lake or vertically fishing minnows, jigs, and slab spoons over the tops of the fish attractors and other deeper structures. Harvest regulations include 50/day creel limit.
Channel Catfish	No report	Most in the 1 lb size range	Fishing cut bait or stink bait lake wide. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.
Largemouth bass	No report	Up to 4 lbs	Casting soft plastics, swimbaits and jerk baits around fish attractors, shoreline brush and vegetation along sun-warmed shorelines. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.
Bluegill/Redear	No report	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush in deeper water. There are no harvest restrictions at this time.
Walleye	No report	Up to 4 lbs	Casting crankbaits and swimbaits over points, shelves, and along rip-rapped shorelines adjacent to deeper water. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.
White Bass/Wipers	No report	Whites up to 17 inches	Vertically fishing slab spoons over the tops of fish attractors or prominent windblown main lake points and shelves. Most of the larger white bass range from 12 to 16 inches and wipers up to 8 lbs. have been reported. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

Lake is approximately 13 feet low and trailers have been damaged trying to use the one ramp on the southeast area.

This is a generic wintertime fishing report, water temperatures should be in the mid to upper 40's. If new reports are received it will be updated. We have received very few reports from anglers. You may call the Dodge City Regional office as 620-227-8609 to make a report. Regular reporting will resume in April of 2023.

Please discard of leftover bait in a trash can, even baitfish. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water!

HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Sizes Possible	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	No report	Up to 12 inches	Drifting jigs over deeper water in the main body of the lake or vertically fishing minnows, jigs, and slab spoons over the tops of the fish attractors and other deeper structures. Harvest regulations include 50/day creel limit.
Channel Catfish	No report	Most in the 1 lb size range	Fishing cut bait or stink bait lake wide. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.
Largemouth bass	No report	Up to 4 lbs	Casting soft plastics, swimbaits and jerk baits around fish attractors, shoreline brush and vegetation along sun-warmed shorelines. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.
Bluegill/Redear	No report	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush in deeper water. There are no harvest restrictions at this time.
Walleye/saugeye	No report	Up to 7 lbs	Casting crankbaits and swimbaits over points, shelves, and along rip-rapped shorelines adjacent to deeper water. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day aggregate creel limit.

Lake is about 7 feet low.

Please discard of leftover bait in a trash can, even baitfish. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water!

MEADE STATE LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Sizes Possible	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	No report	Up to 12 inches	Drifting jigs over deeper water in the main body of the lake or vertically fishing minnows, jigs, and slab spoons over the tops of the fish attractors and other deeper structures. Harvest regulations include 50/day creel limit.
Channel Catfish	No report	Most in the 1 lb size range	Fishing cut bait or stink bait lake wide. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.
Largemouth bass	No report	Up to 4 lbs	Casting soft plastics, swimbaits and jerk baits around fish attractors, shoreline brush and vegetation along sun-warmed shorelines. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.
Bluegill/Redear	No report	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush in deeper water. There are no harvest restrictions at this time.
Saugeye	No report	Up to 4 lbs	Casting crankbaits and swimbaits over points, shelves, and along rip-rapped shorelines adjacent to deeper water. Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

Still a generic wintertime fishing report, water temperatures should be in the mid to upper 40's. If new reports are received it will be updated. We have received very few reports from anglers. You may call the Dodge City Regional office as 620-227-8609 to make a report.

Please discard of leftover bait in a trash can, even baitfish. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water!

PRATT COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Sizes Possible	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	Poor to Fair	4-8"	Try jigs or minnows near structure.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Most in the 1-2 lb size range but up to 7 lbs	Fishing cut bait or stink bait lake wide.
Largemouth bass	Fair to Good	Up to 18 inches	Try using soft plastics or jerk baits on warmer days.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush and rocks.
Walleye	Fair	Up to 19"	Try large jigs and jerk baits off of wind blown points in the morning or evening.
Wipers	Fair	Up to 18"	Jigs or spoons around windblown main lake points.

Pratt County Lake and all other public fishing waters in Pratt and Barber counties are now a part of the Cheney district. This district also includes Harper, Kingman, Reno, and Harvey counties. A Cheney District newsletter is available. Information about fishing and fisheries management throughout southcentral Kansas will be updated at least twice each year. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms and click on Cheney Fishing District.

Great Kansas Fishing Derby May 15 to Sept 15 Visit www.ksfishderby.com for more info; Tagged Fish - Channel Catfish, Black Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, White Bass/Wiper

SCOTT STATE LAKE - Last Updated: 3/16/2023 Print

General Comments
Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Slow	Most in the 13 to 18 inch range	Still fishing shrimp and prepared baits off the bottom up in the creek can be effective.
Crappie	Good	Up to 13 inches	Vertically fishing small jigs or spoons around the deeper brushpiles.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 5.5 lbs.	Casting weightless swimbaits and suspending jerkbaits along sun-warmed, shallow shorelines is best.
Sunfish	Fair/Good	Up to 8 inches	Vertically fishing small jigs tipped with mealworms or small chunks of nightcrawlers around deeper brushpiles.
Saugeye	Slow	Up to 7 lbs.	Fish should be spawning this time of year. Fishing brightly colored jigs and suspending jerkbaits of the dam at night is best.
Rainbow Trout	Good	Up to 3.5 lbs.	We stocked approximately 1,00 trout on 3-13-2023. Anglers still-fishing various baits like power bait, worms, marshmallows, and corn alone or in combination can be effective. Spin-cast anglers throwing small in-line spinners and spoons often do well. And fly anglers casting prince and hare's ear nymphs under a strike indicator can be successful too.
Ice Report: As of 2-27-2023. Barrel Springs pond and the State Lake are ice free. Release all saugeye less than 18 inches and largemouth bass less than 15 inches. Please discard of leftover bait in a trash can, even baitfish. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water! Cedar Bluff District Newsletter: A biannual newsletter detailing fishing related projects and activities in the Cedar Bluff District, which includes such waters as Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Sheridan and Scott State Fishing Lakes, Antelope Lake, and other public fishing waters in northwest Kansas are available. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. The link is: http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Cedar-Bluff-Fishing-District Great Kansas Fishing Derby May 15 to Sept 15 Visit www.ksfishderby.com for more info; Tagged Fish - Channel Catfish, Black Bass, Crappie, Saugeye

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MCPHERSON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method & Location

Channel catfish

Fair

1 - 5 lbs.

Try worms and cutbait on the bottom.

Crappie

Good

8-13"

Good. Most are situated on deeper breaks and structure towards the dam.

Largemouth bass

Fair

Up to 6 lb.

Try using soft plastics, spinner baits, and crank baits near structure.

Saugeye

Poor

15-26"

No reports but try 1/8 and 1/4 oz. jigs tipped with worms along the dam and piers.

General Comments

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ANTHONY CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel catfish	Fair	up to 12lbs	Try fishing cut bait, worms, or stink bait lake wide.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 14"	Try jigs or minnows near structure.
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	Up to 5lbs	Try using soft plastics or jerk baits.
General Comments
Water levels are very low. Use cation if launching a boat!

BLACK KETTLE STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	Poor	6" to 10"	Fish with small minnows and jigs around brush. There are a few nice crappie in the lake although most are fairly small.
Bluegill	Poor		Worms under a bobber or very small jigs.
Channel Catfish	Fair	2-6 lbs.	Fish with cut bait, stink bait, or chicken livers lake wide.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	12" to 20"	Fish shallow brush with Texas rigged softbait, jigs, and spinnerbaits. The water here is typically murky so try darker colored lures (black & blue, dark purple, green pumpkin).
General Comments

BUTLER STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Slow		Creel limit 2/day Length Limit 15-inches No current reports available
Largemouth Bass	Slow	up to 16 inches	Action has been pretty slow so far this year at Butler.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 7 inches	Small jigs or small minnows are good bets. While there is an occasional big fish at Butler, most crappie run small in the 5 to 7 inch range.
Bluegill	Slow		No recent bluegill action to report.
General Comments

CHASE STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussels Have Been Discovered in Chase State Fishing Lake.			Chase SFL is an ANS designated water. Read the news release HERE. Zebra mussel veligers (larval zebra mussels) are too small to be seen with the unaided eye and they can be found in boat livewells, minnow buckets, boat bilges, 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 AND BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!!! CLEAN DRAIN & DRY Every Lake, Every Time! Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
Channel Catfish	Slow		Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit. No current reports
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 16 inch	There is a 13 to 18 inch slot limit on Largemouth Bass in effect at the lake. Bass fishing has been pretty slow far this year. On the warmer days, fish jerk baits or jig-n-pig around cover or brushpiles.
Saugeye	Fair	Up to 18 inch	Along the dam and rocky shorelines on crankbaits and twister tails.
Spotted Bass			No recent reports
Bluegill	Slow		No recent reports
Crappie	Fair	Up to 11 inch	Jig or minnow 9 to 15 feet deep on brush or dropoffs.
General Comments

CHENEY RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

SPECIES	RATING	SIZE	BAITS, LOCATION, METHODS
Fishing Newsletter			All KDWPT fisheries districts are offering a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that want it. The newsletters are aimed at keeping anglers informed about fishing opportunities and information in their areas of interest. The first few editions of the Cheney Fisheries District have been completed and are ready for distribution.
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!!! Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
White Bass and Wiper	Poor to Fair	Up to 27"	Spoons, jigs, and flukes in deeper water.
Walleye	Poor	Up to 27"	Try using big jigs or spoons in deeper water
Crappie	Fair to Good	Up to 17"	Try using jigs or minnows near structure in 10-20ft of water.
Blue Catfish	Fair	Up to 45lbs	Fish with live bait or cut bait near shallow flats. Many reports of small (10"-18") Blue Catfish being caught. Be sure to identify your catch!
Channel Catfish	Fair	Up to 20lbs	Try fishing cut bait or stink bait near wind blown areas.
White Perch	Fair	Up to 12"	White perch can be caught using similar methods as White Bass and Wiper. Most White Perch are 5"-8". White perch cannot be used as live bait, but they do make good cut bait. For tips on identifying a white perch from a white bass, wiper or striped bass click HERE. All white perch in your possession must be dead. It is illegal to posses live white perch.
COMMENTS
Water levels are very low. Use caution when boating!

COUNCIL GROVE CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/20/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location

Zebra Mussel		Zebra mussels have been discovered in Council Grove City Lake. Click HERE for more information.
Bluegill	Fair	near gravel banks and vegetation on small jigs and worms
Crappie	Fair	10 ft deep near ledges on jigs and minnows
Channel catfish	Fair	near windy flats and flooded brush on cut bait and worms
Black bass	Slow/Fair	on jigs, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits 5-15ft deep near docks, points, and brush
Walleye	Fair	along dam and deeper points/banks on jigs and spoons
White bass	Fair	along dam and points on spinners and jigs
General Comments
The City of Council Grove requires Aquatic Nuisance Species certification of anglers and boaters at Council Grove City Lake. You must have this certificate in your possession while fishing and/or boating at Council Grove City Lake.

COUNCIL GROVE RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/20/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussels		Zebra mussels have been discovered in Council Grove Reservoir. Zebra mussel veligers (larval zebra mussels) 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 AND BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!!! CLEAN DRAIN & DRY Every Lake, Every Time! Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
Channel Catfish	Fair	near wind blown flats and creek channel ledges on cut bait and worms
Saugeye	Fair	near dam and gravel/rock points on jigs and worms
White Bass	Slow/Fair	along deep rock points and ledges on spinners and jigs
Wiper	Slow/Fair	a few in with white bass
Crappie	Fair	10-20 ft deep on minnows and jigs near points, brush, and ledges Creel limit 20/day
General Comments
Outlet fishing is slow/fair for catfish, white bass, and saugeye Click HERE for water level information.

COWLEY STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill	Slow		Bluegill action will be picking up as water temps increase
Channel Catfish	Slow		Few recent reports 15-inch minimum length limit 5/day creel limit
Largemouth Bass	Slow to Fair	Up to 17 inch	Fish jerk baits in shallow water during the occasional warm day.
Redear Sunfish			Same as bluegill
General Comments
38 brushpiles were added to Cowley SFL. You can find the locations HERE, just zoom in on the map to see Cowley SFL.

EL DORADO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussels			Zebra mussel veligers (larval zebra mussels) 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 AND BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!!! CLEAN DRAIN & DRY Every Lake, Every Time! Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. REMEMBER!! Zebra Mussels are also present in the Trout Area below the dam!!
Wiper	Slow	Up to 21 inch	Be sure to properly ID your catch as there is there is an 21-inch minimum length limit and 2/day creel limit on wiper.. Click HERE for tips on identifying wipers. Few recent reports available.
White bass	Slow	up to 14 inch	Wipers can be caught along with white bass so it is important to properly identify your catch before putting it on a stringer. Click HERE for tips on identifying wipers. Few recent reports available.
White Perch	Slow	up to 6 inch	Click HERE for info on properly identifying white perch. Few recent reports available.
Crappie	Fair to Good	Up to 15+ inches	20/day creel limit. 10 to 18 deep near brush or timber on jigs. Winter congregations have begun to break up a bit, but good crappie catches continue to be had.
Blue Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 40 inches, with a lot of 18 to 24 inch "eater" sized fish.	There is a 25 to 35 inch protective slot limit on blue catfish and a 5/day creel with no more than 2 blue catfish over 35 inches. Fresh cut baits fished on windblown shorelines throughout the lake. A blue catfish tagging project in underway at El Dorado. Please see the information below in the General Comments section for all the details! Fresh cut baits on river channel edges in the upper portion of the reservoir will work well for most of the cold water winter season. Please harvest the blue catfish that are under the 25 inch slot length limit (while following the 5/day creel limit). El Dorado has an abundance of fish under the slot. The El Dorado blue catfish population will benefit from the harvest of these "short" fish as growth rate of the remaining fish will improve.
Walleye	Fair	Up to 28 inches	THE WALLEYE LENGTH LIMIT IS 21-INCHES WITH A 2/DAY CREEL LIMIT. Walleye are staging near spawning areas and will begin frequenting the spawning areas regularly in the next several days. Look for walleye along rocky shorelines and rocky points during lowlight periods. Jigs and jerkbaits are popular baits during the spawn.
Rainbow Trout	Good		Trout season opened November 1. Trout were last stocked on Wednesday March 1. Trout are hitting good on the traditional trout baits including PowerBait, small spoons, jigs, inline spinners, flies/nymphs, and small minnows. Trout Program information can be found HERE.
General Comments
2.6 ft below Normal Pool, releasing 6 CFS. Click Here for the most up to date lake level information. ZEBRA MUSSEL & WHITE PERCH WARNING! El Dorado Reservoir and the Walnut River below the reservoir contain zebra mussels and white perch. Take zebra mussel control precautions when leaving the lake, Trout Area, and Stilling Basin. For information on Zebra Mussels click Here. Blue Catfish Tagging Project Underway at El Dorado Blue catfish – native to major river basins in eastern Kansas – can reach massive sizes. Kansas’ current state record was caught from the Missouri River, weighing in at more than 100 pounds. As blue catfish populations become established in Kansas’ largest reservoirs, popularity of this species among anglers also continues to grow. One such growing fishery can be found in El Dorado Reservoir. While many anglers might associate El Dorado Reservoir with monster walleye, hard-fighting wipers, or slab crappie, blue catfish are developing a following in the 8,000-acre impoundment. Blue catfish were introduced into El Dorado Reservoir in 2004 to establish an additional predatory fish population and to provide anglers with a new sport fishing opportunity. Annual stockings occurred for six years, creating a population that first exhibited natural recruitment in 2009. As the population grew, it became apparent that the fishery would benefit from harvest of smaller fish. In 2016, KDWPT implemented a 25- to 35-inch protected slot length limit, five fish daily creel limit, and a maximum of two fish over 35 inches. As with any new regulation, data is needed to gauge effectiveness. To collect this data, KDWPT Fisheries biologists are tagging up to 2,000 blue catfish in El Dorado Reservoir. Tags will appear as a small yellow vinyl tube beneath the fish’s dorsal fin. Each tag will display an ID number unique to that fish and a phone number to call to report the catch, (620) 342-0658. Biologists hope to gain information about the area’s blue catfish population size, entrainment through the dam, and the fish’s susceptibility to harvest. Success of this project is dependent on anglers reporting the tagged fish they capture. Information needed during the call will be the length of the fish, date, tag number, and whether the fish was kept or released. Anglers who report their tagged catch will receive an award as compensation for their participation. Anglers should note that tagged blue catfish that are not legal for harvest must be returned to the water immediately after recording the tag information. If the tagged catfish is legal for harvest, anglers may keep or release the fish. Because part of this study is to evaluate harvest patterns, biologists encourage anglers not to let the presence of a tag influence their decision to keep or release the fish. If you find a tagged blue catfish on the end of your line this summer, please take the time to call it in. Data collected from these fish are invaluable to fisheries biologists and will only improve angling success in the future.

HARVEY COUNTY EAST LAKE - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Fair	up to 24"	Try fishing cut bait, worms, or stink bait throughout the lake.
Crappie	Fair to Good	up to 14"	Try a jig or minnow fished near deeper structure. Most are smaller with some bigger ones mixed in.
Largemouth Bass	Poor	up to 20"	Try fishing soft plastics near structure.
Saugeye	Fair	up to 25"	Fish with jigs or minnows near the dam or rocks in the morning or evening.
General Comments
Water levels are very low. Use cation if launching a boat!

KINGMAN STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/9/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel catfish	Fair	Up to 24"	Try using cut bait or stink bait lake wide.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 4lbs	Fish near structure and rocks with soft plastics, or jerk baits.
Northern Pike	Poor	Up to 35"	Try using large jerk baits or spinner baits.
Crappie	Good	Up to 14"	Use minnows or small jigs near structure. Most Crappie are smaller with a few big ones mixed in.
General Comments
FISH SALVAGE ORDER: As authorized by K.S.A 32-807, and as further specified under K.A.R. ll5-7-1, a fish salvage conditions exists at Kingman State Fishing Lake due to a renovation project. To improve fishing and address an unbalanced fishery, Kingman State Fishing Lake is being drained and renovated summer of 2023. It shall be legal to take fish from this project as designated by this order. Legal means of take are traditional rod and reel only, all other methods including seining and snagging are still prohibited. All length and creel limits have been removed until further notice. This order will take effect when posted and remain in effect until this posted order is removed Water levels are very low. Use cation if launching a boat!

MARION COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Slow		Catfish action will be picking up in the coming weeks as water temps rise
Crappie	Fair	up to 12 inches	20/day creel limit Jigs or minnows fished near brush or other cover. 8 to 14 feet deep.
Bass		up to 18 inch	13 inch to 18 inch slot limit 5 fish per day creel limit. Please harvest largemouth bass under 13 inches to improve effectiveness of this slot limit! Few recent angler reports available on largemouth bass
Saugeye			Few recent reports
Bluegill			Few recent reports
White Bass & Wipers			Few recent reports
General Comments
Boat and bait inspections are MANDATORY at Marion County Lake to prevent the spread of Zebra Mussels and other Aquatic Nuisance Species. Protect our waters... don't forget to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY!

MARION RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

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			No current reports
White Crappie	Fair	up to 13 inches	20/day creel limit Anglers are having fair to good success on crappie despite the winter crappie schools beginning to scatter a bit. Brush piles in the 13 to 18 range have been holding fish. Jigs have been the best bait.
Walleye	Fair	Up to 24 inches	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. Walleye are in prespawn mode and will be hitting spawn mode in the very near future. Look for walleye during low light periods along rocky shorelines and points and areas with rip rap. Crank baits, jerk baits, and jigs are all good spawn choices.
White Bass	Fair to Good	up to 14 inch	White bass are being found in 12 to 20 feet of water, but shallower on the warmer days. Jigs are hard to beat.
Wiper	Fair to Good	18 to 24 inches	Same as white bass
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
2 feet below Normal Pool, releasing 5 CFS.

SEDGWICK CO. - LAKE AFTON - Last Updated: 3/3/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussels			Adult Zebra Mussels were found 7/31/08 at Lake Afton. The zebra mussels reproduce during the warmer summer months and veligers (larval zebra mussels) are present in the water column. 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!!! Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. REMEMBER!! Zebra Mussels are also present in Clearwater Creek below the spillway!
White Perch	Fair to Good	4"-8"	Use a small hook with a small piece of work or panfish lures. White perch may not be possessed alive.
Channel Catfish	Fair	up to 24"	Try cut bait, worms, or stink bait. Harvest-sized Channel Catfish are stocked regularly in the Spring and Fall. Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Special-Fishing-Programs-for-You/Urban-Fishing-Program for more information. Urban Catfish Stocking will resume around April 1
Crappie	Poor	up to 12"	Crappie should be grouped up offshore relating to structure and brush. Try using minnows or jigs in 8-15 feet of water. Most Crappie are small with a few big ones mixed in.
Bluegill	Fair	up to 8"	Try a small piece of worm under a bobber around rocks and brush.
Largemouth Bass	Poor	up to 21"	Bass can be found near shorelines relating to deep water and off shore structures.Try soft plastics and jigs near structure/cover.
General Comments

WELLINGTON CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish			No current reports available
Wiper
Crappie
Saugeye
General Comments

WELLINGTON HARGIS CREEK - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish			No reports from anglers available this week
Crappie
Largemouth Bass
General Comments

WICHITA - URBAN FISHING REPORT - Last Updated: 3/3/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location

Channel Catfish	Poor	Up to 5lbs	The majority of public fishing waters around the Wichita Metro Area are stocked regularly in the Spring and Fall with harvest-sized Channel Catfish. They can be easily caught on worms and hotdogs. Starting to see catfish biting on worms! The first stocking will be around April 1,
Crappie	Poor to fair	Up to 12"	Try using minnows or a small jigs in deeper areas of the lakes. Crappie fishing is best at the KDOT Lakes, OJ Watson Park, and Chisholm North lake.
Largemouth Bass	Poor	Up to 20"	Largemouth Bass can be found in most Wichita area lakes but catching can be tough due to low populations and high angling pressure. Your best opportunities to catch bass are at the KDOT lakes, Emery Park, Blackbird/Sunflower Ponds, and Chisholm North lake. Lures that work best in cold water are small bass jigs, small soft plastics, jerkbaits, and lipless crankbaits
Bluegill	Poor to fair	Up to 10"	Bluegill are present in every lake in the area. Try a small piece of worm or a small jig under a bobber.
Rainbow Trout	Good to Excellent	up to 23"	Trout season began on November 1. Try using floating dough baits, worms, small spoons, or spinners. The best dough bait colors this year seem to be corn/yellow and orange, but green and pink work well, too. Artificial lures only at Slough Creek Remember Vic's Lake, and Slough Creek are Type 1 trout waters and all anglers fishing those waters November 1st - April 15th must have a trout permit.
General Comments
Trout stockings have resumed! Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Special-Fishing-Programs-for-You/Trout-Fishing-Program for more information. Rainbow Trout were stocked at OJ Watson and SG County Park on March 2, 2023. This will be the biggest and last stocking of the season. Lots of fish out there so go get them!

WINFIELD CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Zebra Mussels			Zebra mussels were verified in Winfield City Lake in December 2006. Lake users should follow recommended control practices found HERE . Be sure to drain all equipment before leaving the lake to avoid moving veligers to other waters. THIS INCLUDES MINNOW BUCKETS AND BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!!!
Crappie	Fair	up to 10 inch	Some success on jigs in 15 to 20 feet of water near timber or breaks. Reports are of lots of smaller crappie being caught recently.
Channel catfish			No recent reports as there's not much channel cat activity with the low water temps. Channel catfish action will improve as water temps increase.
Black bass			No recent reports available
White bass	Fair	up to 13 inch	Jigs or spoons on deep structure.
Wiper			Same as white bass
Walleye	Fair	Up to 26 inch	The walleye spawn is getting nearer. Look for walleye on rock points and shorelines during low light periods where they can be caught on jigs, jig and minnow combos, crank baits, and jerk baits. Walleye minimum length limit 18 inches.
General Comments
The City of Winfield requires additional permits for anglers using the lake. Stop in to the lake office before fishing at the lake.

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TORONTO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/22/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
channel catfish	good	2% 11"-16" 24% 16"-24" 50% 24"-28" 24% 28"-36"	Use a worm, stink bait, or shad sides on deep channel breaks.
largemouth bass	poor	23% 8"-12" 23% 12"-15" 54% 15"-20" 0% 20"-25"	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 12 bass per hour of electrofishing sampled in the reservoir. The ideal catch rate would be 100 bass per hour. Use a jig, spinner, worm, or crank bait around stumps and brush in river and Walnut Creek.
white bass	fair	16% 6"-9" 18% 9"-12" 34% 12"-15" 32% 15"-18" 0% 18"+	Use plastic jig, imitation shad, or spinner around brush piles and deep holes in river and Walnut Creek. Watch for water rise in river and Walnut Creek to initiate spawning run this month. Fish will spawn over gravel riffles.
white crappie	good	32% 5"-8" 7% 8"-10" 42% 10"-12" 17% 12"-15" 2% 15"+	Use a jig or minnow around brush piles, and timber in Toronto Cove, Mann's Cove, and north side of Duck Island. Anglers are catching good numbers of nice size crappie on warm sunny days. Cold front will push crappie offshore.
General Comments
Link to USACE reservoir water level: http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/TORO.lakepage.html Size structures are from 2022 October test netting and 2021 May electrofishing for largemouth bass. No bass electrofishing occurred in 2022 due to high water. To view a map of Toronto Reservoir brush piles, copy this file into Google Earth and zoom into the reservoir. TORR brush piles 17 (OCTET-STREAM 1.74 kB) 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.

BIG HILL RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 12/7/2022 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	Good	6-12"	Crappie fishing remains good. Look for them in deeper timber and also around Rea Bridge. Minnows and small plastic jigs have been working best.
Channel Catfish	Poor	16-24"	Catfishing has slowed. Catfishing has slowed with cooler water temps. Look for catfish in the deeper timber and along sharp breaks. Shad sides are the preferred bait.
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass	Fair	12-20"	Largemouth bass fishing remains slower. Largemouth have moved into the deeper water in the standing timber. Soft plastic swim baits and jigs have been working best. Smallmouth bass fishing remains slow. Look for them near the dam or on any rocky shoreline in deeper water. Soft plastic crayfish worked slowly up the rocks have been working best.
Bluegill and Redears	Fair	5-7"	Bluegill and redear fishing has slowed. Bluegill and redear can be found near any submerged vegetation or in deeper brush piles. Worms under a bobber are working best.

General Comments
Release all Largemouth Bass 15-21" in Length, daily creel remains 5/day. 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 (Chautauqua, Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson counties) only.

BONE CREEK RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill / Redear Sunfish	Good	4-8 inches	Bluegill and redear sunfish, or "shellcrackers", can be found lakewide near the shoreline. Anglers should focus their efforts along the shoreline in depths less than 6' deep near submerged trees and edges of aquatic vegetation. Areas to pursue will be on the north and south ends of the dam, coves, and rocky habitats. A bobber and worm, fly rod with small flies, and 1/16 ounce jig with a twister tail will be good baits to try.
Channel catfish	Good	15-36 inches	Anglers from the shoreline should focus on the coves, both the north and south side of the dam, west end, and the handicap access on the south side of the lake near the boat ramp. Prepared baits, worms, cut or live bait will be good baits to try. Anglers from boats should focus on flats and near rock habitat. Cut and live bait are good baits to try.
Black Crappie	Fair	8-14 inches	Anglers should focus on submerged trees that are in 15-20' that are in close proximity to depth changes, or creek channels. There are a variety of coves that will hold crappie during the spawn in the spring time. Live minnows under a bobber, spinners, or 1/8-1/16 ounch jigs with twister tails will all be good options. Fall sampling indicated a successful spawn and strong year class of Age-0 (2-3") and Age-1 crappie (7-8"), as well as crappie up to 14".
Largemouth bass	Good	8-12" - 15% 12-15" - 11% 15-20" - 74%	Largemouth bass can be found lakewide in a variety of habitats that are available at Bone Creek. Anglers should focus on the edges of vegetation that can be found along the shoreline and coves, as water begins to warm up this spring. There is an abundance of submerged trees in a range of depths that will also hold fish. The water clarity will affect fishing, depending on time of day, so don't hesitate to fish the trees that can be found in deeper water. Casting swimbaits, jigs, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits will be your best bet. Don't hesitate to throw the classic "ned rig" in the summertime when fish will be deeper and provide a chance at a strike. To bolster the current population and recruitment of Largemouth Bass at Bone Creek, the KDWP fisheries biologist has increased stocking efforts of Largemouth Bass. In 2019, 218, 377 (fry) were stocked when a hatchery surplus was available. In 2021, 13,500 phase II advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked. In April 2022, 260,000 (fry) were stocked when a hatchery surplus was available. In June 2022, 25,000 advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked. In total, 517,774 largemouth bass have been stocked since 2018. The KDWP fisheries biologist plans to request 25,000 phase II advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass for the next five years to help bolster year classes and recruitment of Largemouth Bass. In addition to, it was proposed and passed to move from a 13-18" slot length limit to an 18" minimum length limit to protect the stocked fingerlings and naturally spawned Largemouth Bass to preferred lengths for bass anglers. This went into effect on January 1, 2022.
Saugeye	Good	16-26 inches	Fall sampling indicated that there is a high percentage of fish in the 18-24" range. Saugeye can be found on flats of 10-14 ft that is near deeper water of 20 feet and deeper at this time of the year. Any depth changes, or structure, will hold fish and can be caught by a variety of methods, such as trolling or vertical jigging. Anglers have reported catching saugeye near the dam on the east side of the lake on swimbaits, jigheads with plastics, and trolling crankbaits. The minimum length for Saugeye at Bone Creek is 18 inches and a daily creel of 5 fish per day!
Newsletter			STAY UP TO DATE ON FISH STOCKINGS, FISH SAMPLING, AND FISH HABITAT PROJECTS: As District Fisheries Biologists, we send out a newsletter to inform anglers of fish sampling result, aquatic outreach events, fish stockings, and habitat improvement projects, for example. We have a spring and fall edition of our newsletters that you can subscribe to. This is sent directly to your email. If you would like to stay up to date on what is happening on Neosho State Fishing Lake (Lake McKinley), Crawford State Fishing Lake (Farlington Lake), Bone Creek Lake, CFAP and FISH properties, and the Mined Land Wildlife Area strip pits, you can subscribe to the Pittsburg District Newsletter at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Pittsburg-Fishing-District
General Comments
Water Temperature: 45° F, March 13, 2023 As District Fisheries Biologists, we send out a newsletter to inform anglers of fish sampling result, aquatic outreach events, fish stockings, and habitat improvement projects, for example. We have a spring and fall edition of our newsletters that you can subscribe to. This is sent directly to your email. If you would like to stay up to date on what is happening on Neosho State Fishing Lake (Lake McKinley), Crawford State Fishing Lake (Farlington Lake), Bone Creek Lake, CFAP and FISH properties, and the Mined Land Wildlife Area strip pits, you can subscribe to the Pittsburg District Newsletter at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Pittsburg-Fishing-District Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat, bait buckets, and recreational watercraft before and after launching your boat. It is important to remove your drain plug on your watercraft upon departure to drain live wells and water inside of your boat; it will protect our natural resources in Kansas for current anglers and future generations to enjoy. Eurasian watermilfoil is an invasive aquatic vegetation that can be found in nearby water bodies. Be sure to inspect your boat, boat trailer, and bait buckets prior to launching at Bone Creek to prevent the spread. Zebra mussels, white perch, and asian carp are all invasive species that can be found in Kansas. Be sure to stay up to date on information regarding Aquatic Nuisance Species. If you would like to provide a fishing report for Bone Creek Lake, don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173.

BOURBON COUNTY CEDAR CREEK - Last Updated: 3/12/2023 Print

species	ratings	size	baits, methods, locations
Crappie	Slow	8 to 12 inches	Use dark jigs or minnows in the trees along the drop offs.
Channel catfish	Slow	varies,	The water is clear with a little color. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. Try along dam and shoreline, use cut shad, worms, prepared baits. Fish the creek mouth where the fresh water comes in and the fish are stacked up.
Largemouth bass	Slow	most bass in the 13 to 16 inch range	The bass are in 1 to 8 foot from the surface, above the thermocline. Pattern fish with jigs, spinners, gizzard shad plugs, lots of smaller fish but larger fish like 5 to 7 pounds are available.
General Comments
The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. This lake has limited shoreline access so please spread out, social distance. Crappie have been starting to pick up on minnows or dark jigs. Largemouth bass can be good but fish the deeper structue. The catfish in this impoundment are active and ready for action- Try liver, shad, or live bait fish. Channel catfish are great after a rain in the north end where the creek comes in. For largemouth bass try fishing some of the standing timber and weedbeds with spinners and buzzbaits. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat, motor, trailer and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today! Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk 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 lot on the west side..

BOURBON COUNTY ELM CREEK LAKE - Last Updated: 3/12/2023 Print

Comments
Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Channel catfish	Slow	varies	Go fishing, the fish have to eat. try bluegill chunks, chicken liver. Anglers are catching big Fish. Fish feeders are OFF. Gearup.
Largemouth bass	Slow	varies	lake wide, 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	POOR	varies	also try the dam and rocky structure in the south half of the lake with jigs or minnows
Crappie	Slow	some small fish but some real good ones also, with 50 limit	use minnows and dark jigs, recently bigger fish over 11 inches reportedly caught, but lots of 9 inch fish.
The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. This lake is great for shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out. The lake is low because of a leaky dam. Plans are underway to repair the leak. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. Remember the length and creel limits. Due to a leak in the dam water levels can be low and will remain low until repairs are made. The County and Wildlife and Parks are committed to repairing the dam and restoring the fishery. This may begin this fall. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development), we'd like to remind you to "Clean, Drain and Dry" your boat and equipment. 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 For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk With questions about this lake call Donald George, Fisheries Biologist, at 913-795-2218, or Bourbon County at 620-223-3800.

BOURBON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/12/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Black Bass ( Largemouth and Spotted Bass)	Slow	Fish 10 to 17 inches dominate the population	bass are along the piers, in cover, use spinners, plastic baits, crankbaits. Some fish are in deeper water breaks.
Bluegill/redear sunfish	Slow	all sizes	Nice redear sunfish are available by slow fishing along the piers with jig, worm under a float. Bluegill are also available but are smaller in size.
Walleye	Poor	varies	Fish drop offs and at the head of the inflow areas using crank baits, jigs and or minnow
Channel Catfish	Slow	12-22 inches	Use just about any catfish bait, cut bait, stink baits, chicken liver, worms, the fish feeders are off. After hard rains fish the south end where the water comes in. Fish the creek mouth where the fresh water comes in and the fish are stacked up. We recently restocked channel catfish so the density is really high. Remember the length limit is 15 inches and the creel limit is 2 per person
Crappie	Slow	8 - 12 inches and up	Sampling indicates a good crappie population with a good percentage of fish over 10 inches. Try using minnows, jigs under a 5ft float, along the piers.
General Comments
Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development), we'd like to remind you to " Clean, drain and dry" The water level is full and ready to fish. Recently several hundred trees were placed in the lake to improve fish habitat. In the spring of 2018, another 95 Georgia cubes have been placed to attract fish to shoreline areas. Shoreline fishing can be good in deeper water around the lake. This lake produces some nice crappie each year. Recent sampling indicates that there are many good crappie to catch. The bass population at this impoundment consists of spotted and largemouth bass. Spotted bass tend to hang near rocks and the dam, whereas on the south end of the lake your more likely to catch only largemouth bass.

COFFEY COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/21/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Methods, Locations

largemouth bass	Slow-Fair	8 in to 21 inches	Vibrating jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, swimbaits or jerkbaits fished around structure in or near the hot water area. Quality fish are present but numbers remain low.
walleye	Fair	14-25 inches	Fish should be pushing shallow for spawning activities, anglers may be able to catch a few in staging areas offshore using jigs or various kinds of crankbaits.
channel catfish/blue catfish	Fair	1/2-5 lbs, Blues up to 50lbs.	Various prepared baits, liver, and worms usually good for channel catfish lakewide. Using fresh cut bait such as shad or carp usually is best for blue catfish. Fishing wind blown banks or up in the riprap should be productive or try creek channel swings and humps. Don't be afraid to fish shallow water for both species. 921 blue catfish were tagged for a population study, so be on the lookout for tags in the blue cats that you catch and please report any you do catch. If you report a tag, you will receive a prize and your name will be entered in a drawing for a Yeti cooler towards the end of the project.
smallmouth bass	Slow	10-20 inches	Throwing small shad imitators like compact spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Crayfish imitating baits should also work. Ned rigs or drop shots are great techniques to use for smallmouth.
white bass/Wipers	Fair-Good	up to 5lbs.	Using small shad imitating baits such as small crankbaits, bucktail jigs, slab spoons, or twister tail grubs fished in the hot water area or on wind blown points.
crappie	Fair	11-15 inches	Look for crappie in deeper water, fish the standing timber near the creek channel or old road beds. They may also be found on old pond dams and near the old quarry by the west island.
General Comments
Entrance gate phone number is 620-364-2475 call for lake conditions. Fishing near the warm water outlet during the fall and winter can be very productive for multiple species. Registration for Coffey County Lake is now available online at https://www.coffeycountyks.org/home/showdocument?id=3502. A large brush pile was created north of the boat ramp in the old creek channel and is marked with a fish attractor buoy. There were also several trees sunk at the end of the hot water dike and should be easily marked on your locator. These spots should be really good in the fall and winter months. 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

CRAWFORD STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method &Location
Bluegill / Redear sunfish	Fair	6-8"	Bluegill can be caught using a bobber and worm, 1/16-1/32 ounce jighead, and a fly rod and small fly. Locations to try would be near the swim beach in the northwest corner, coves where shallow water and aquatic vegetation can be found, and marina cove.
Saugeye	Fair	18-21"	The fall sample indicated a low-density, high-quality population of saugeye up to 21". A variety of ways to target saugeye are trolling with swimbaits and Rapalas, or vertical jigging. Anglers can also find saugeye up shallow in the fall, winter, and spring when water temperatures are cooler and where they can be found feeding on the flats and shallow habitat.
Wiper (White bass x Striped Bass hybrid)	Fair	18-24"	Wiper have been stocked in Crawford State Lake and provide a quality sportfish for anglers to target. Wipers are pelagic, or open water, predators lurking in deeper water during the day, but come up shallow to feed in the morning, evening, and during the night. Some baits to try would be jerkbaits, swimbaits, jigs, and live bait. Trolling and vertical jigging over schools of gizzard shad may yield a fish, or two. The fall sample indicated good numbers above the 18" minimum length limit and a quality population for anglers to utilize.
Channel catfish	Good	16-24"	Channel catfish can be found throughout all portions of the lake. Anglers can target in coves on the upper end of the lake, especially during periods of inflow, main lake where submerged trees and Georgia Cubes have been placed, and jetties and docks that can be fished from shore. Prepared baits, gizzard shad, live bait, and chicken liver are all popular baits that anglers might give a try.
Flathead catfish	Good	All sizes	Flathead catfish can be found in deep water next to submerged trees and structure. Live bait, such as green sunfish, and artificial lures are two types of fishing to try. There have been reports of flathead catfish being caught up to 30 lbs.
Crappie	Good	6-10"	The crappie population has a slightly improved size structure with fish sampled up to 12". However, the majority of the crappie that anglers may find at the end of their line will be in the 6-8" size range. The 6-8" crappie have been aged by fisheries staff and are 8-12 years old. Please consider harvesting your daily creel limit of 50 crappie per day to help reduce numbers of crappie and open up space for them to grow. Georgia Cubes, an artificial habitat structure placed by KDWPT staff, are present in Crawford State Lake and the link in the "General Comments" section will provide you with GPS coordinates. Eight brushpiles were created and added. GPS coordinates are listed below in the comments section. Crappie will congregate near the Georgia Cubes, submerged trees, structure, and docks. Anglers should try live minnows under a bobber, jigs with a twister tail, and streamers with a fly rod.
Largemouth bass	Good	15-21"	Largemouth bass densities and size structure are improved, since being infected with LMBV (Largemouth Bass Virus) in 2007. Strong year classes in the 8-12" size category indicate good numbers that haven't been as prominent since 2007. Quality fish up to 21" were sampled and anglers will benefit from the improved numbers and quality of largemouth bass in Crawford State Lake. Anglers should focus on coves and jetties using a variety of methods, which include spinnerbaits, top-water lures, plastic lures, and jerkbaits. An often overlooked method, the "Ned Rig" can also be utilized during all times of the year, but specifically in the summer months, when largemouth bass don't seem as willing to bite other types of lures. Cedar trees were added to the lake in October of 2021 and spring of 2019 to enhance fish habitat and spawning structure. An additional fish habitat project is planned for spring of 2023 to add additional spawning structure and fish attractor locations to bolster the current structure available for largemouth bass. Largemouth bass phase II advanced fingerlings have been stocked in 2020 (7,500 fingerlings), 2021 (3,750 fingerlings) and 2022 (3,890 fingerlings). The KDWP Fisheries Biologist plans to continue to request phase II advanced fingerling stockings for the next three years to help bolster current year classes of largemouth bass. This will be evaluated through fin clips to assess genetics to realize stocking contribution to the fishery. In conjunction with the stocking, cedar trees will be added to the lake to enhance spawning, refuge, and forage structure near shore for largemouth bass to flourish.
Newsletter			STAY UP TO DATE ON FISH STOCKINGS, FISH SAMPLING, AND FISH HABITAT PROJECTS: As District Fisheries Biologists, we send out a newsletter to inform anglers of fish sampling result, aquatic outreach events, fish stockings, and habitat improvement projects, for example. We have a spring and fall edition of our newsletters that you can subscribe to. This is sent directly to your email. If you would like to stay up to date on what is happening on Neosho State Fishing Lake (Lake McKinley), Crawford State Fishing Lake (Farlington Lake), Bone Creek Lake, CFAP and FISH properties, and the Mined Land Wildlife Area strip pits, you can subscribe to the Pittsburg District Newsletter at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Pittsburg-Fishing-District
General Comments
Water Temperature: 45° F, March 13, 2023 KDWPT Fisheries and State Park staff enhanced current fish habitat by adding approximately 150 cedar trees near shoreline spawning areas to enhance largemouth bass and spotted bass structure, as well as added cedar trees to current brushpiles near shoreline access areas in October of 2021. Additionally, nearly 100 cedar trees and 40 "Georgia Cubes" were added to the lake in spring of 2019. Fisheries staff plan to add additional cedar trees to enhance fish habitat in the winter of 2021. Cedar trees were placed on existing brushpiles. The GPS coordinates for those existing brushpiles are as follows: N 37.642683, W 094.806843 (Northeast corner dock) 37.641414, W 094.807232 (East cove dock on west side of cove) N 37.640050, W 094.809163 (Middle arm, east side) N 37.637126, W 094.811680 (East fishing pier) Cedar trees were placed on new brushpiles. The GPS coordinates for the new brushpile locations are as follows (Updated 10/13/2021): N 37.642581, W 094.808307 (North point) N 37.644641, W 094.810386 (North boat ramp) N 37.643394, W 094.811154 (Marina northeast dock) N 37.641860, W 094.812640 (Marina Cove southwest dock) N 37.643614, W 094.811419 (Marina Cafe dock) N 37.641616, W 094.813571 (Marina Cove, west end) N 37.641749, W 094.812921 (Marina Cove, southwest dock) N 37.641966, W 094.806699 (East Cove, east bank) N 37.641278, W 094.807183 (East Cove, southwest bank) N 37.641637, W 094.807649 (East Cove, northwest bank) N 37.642103, W 094.807946 (East Cove, north point) Georgia Cubes were added to six new locations. The GPS coordinates for the Georiga Cubes are as follows: 16 Georgia Cubes @ N 37.642602, W 094.808321 (North point) 6 Georgia Cubes @ N 37.642695, W 094.806880 (Northeast corner dock) 7 Georgia Cubes @ N 37.641402, W 094.807221 (East cove dock on west side of cove) 5 Georgia Cubes @ N 37.637147, W 094.811688 (East fishing pier) 3 Georgia Cubes @ N 37.643472, W 094.811373 (Marina northeast dock) 3 Georgia Cubes @ N 37.644663, W 094.810369 (North boat ramp) Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism fisheries staff recently undertook a project to produce lake maps, or bathymetric maps, for public waters statewide. The lake map for Crawford State Fishing Lake can be found at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas/Bathymetric-Lake-Maps.This link will provide you with a link for all bathymetric lake maps for the state of Kansas. Scroll down to find Crawford State Fishing Lake. This will allow for anglers to view the depths of the lake to choose different habitats and lake depths to fish for different species, year-round. You will also find current GPS locations of habitat structures placed by KDWPT fisheries staff to easily input into your sonar unit, or find if you are fishing from shore. Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat, bait buckets, and recreational watercraft before and after launching your boat. It is important to remove your drain plug on your watercraft upon departure to drain live wells and water inside of your boat; it will protect our natural resources in Kansas for current anglers and future generations to enjoy. Zebra mussels, white perch, and asian carp are all invasive species that can be found in Kansas. Be sure to stay up to date on information regarding Aquatic Nuisance Species. If you would like to provide a fishing report for Crawford State Fishing Lake, don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173. Great Kansas Fishing Derby May 15 to Sept 15 Visit www.ksfishderby.com for more info; Tagged Fish - Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Crappie, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Wiper (Striped Bass Hybrid), Common Carp, Freshwater Drum

CRITZER LAKE - Last Updated: 3/12/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Largemouth Bass	Slow	13 to 18 inches with a few at 22 inches	Work the edges and out in the middle in the trees. Fish above the strat line. Some larger fish available, best luck with dark colored jipnpigs, plastic worms, crank baits in close to cover. The majority of fish are in the 12 inch to 6 pound range. In 2021 a 9.88 was caught and released.
Smallmouth Bass	Poor	13 to 15"	A limited fishery exists some are taken on jigs, spinners, along the dam and rocky areas.
Channel Catfish	Slow	15" to 8 pounds	This is a good catfish population with a lot of fish in the 3 pounds and up to 15 pounds range. Use cut shad, cut sunfish, worms, liver, prepared baits, lakewide or along the piers along the parking lot. We recently stocked several thousand channel catfish into the lake to boost the population.
Crappie	Slow	any size	Sampling indicates good numbers of nice fish (9 to 12 inches) use minnows and milky white, pink jigs in 12 ft. East half of lake is better. Fish are in deeper water along the 10ft. line.
Walleye	Poor	most between 12 to 17 inches	Some are taken on jigs tipped with worms, spinners, dam and upper creek channel
General Comments
The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. Water levels are normal. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. Some good bass and catfish were caught this week. The fish feeder is off. Recently there were 1,500 channel catfish, and 400,000 walleye fry stocked to spice up the fishing. This is a great Kayak or small craft lake. Critzer Lake is one of Kansas' newest lakes and was opened to fishing in August of 2011. Many anglers use kayaks or tubes to float into the cover and are very successful. There is a double lane boat ramp. The floating dock is finished and compliments this great fishing lake. The lake is primarily a boat lake but there is shoreline access east of the boatramp where anglers can set up on the two piers and be very close to the parking lot. This 220 acre lake offers 180 acres of standing timber so there is a no-wake speed limit. There is a second, smaller access area located at the south west part of the lake, from 800 rd. and Gorman, north 1/4 mile. This area makes it easier for anglers in small craft to launch and paddle/fish the more timbered areas. There is a parking lot and gravel ramp and provides shoreline angling also. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley Lake, this is a private lake community, we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat and motor, trailer, and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. Remember CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY! We have improved the area with a floating dock, located just west of the boat ramp. For tips on spring bass fishing watch this KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k Check out this video from Brent Chapman fishing for bass in Critzer Lake! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngvw2uz3oH0 Great Kansas Fishing Derby May 15 to Sept 15 Visit www.ksfishderby.com for more info; Tagged Fish - Channel Catfish, Bullhead

ELK CITY RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 12/7/2022 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	Fair	8-14"	Crappie fishing has slowed. Look for crappie near the dam or in brush in the Elk River. Some fish have also been caught in the flooded timber. Vertical jigging skirt jigs have been working best.
Blue and channel catfish	Fair	18-30"	Catfishing has slowed. Look for catfish to be in the shallow timber on warmer days. Shad sides have been working best.
White Bass	Fair	10-14"	The white bass fishing remains slow. Look for white bass near the fishing jetties at the state park and in deeper holes in the river. Minnows, soft plastics and hair jigs have been working best.
Outlet	Poor	12-20"	Water release remains slow and so does the fishing.

Blue catfish are currently managed with a 35-in minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit in hopes that they will establish a self-sustaining population. Water Level Current water levels and discharge can be viewed HERE. District Newsletter 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 (Chautauqua, Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson counties) only. Youth/Mentor Pond 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.

FALL RIVER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/22/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
channel catfish	good	0% 11"-16" 29% 16"-24" 50% 24"-28" 21% 28"-36"	Use a worm, stink bait, or shad sides on deep channel breaks.
crappie	good	52% 5"- 8" 27% 8"-10" 15% 10"-12" 4% 12"-15" 2% 15"+	Use a jig or minnow around brush piles and channel breaks. The lake is low enough that you can easily locate the brush piles now. Best catch rates are on warm sunny days. Cold front will push fish offshore.
largemouth bass	poor	75% 8"-12" 25% 12"-15" 0% 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 the river produces a fair density bass population. There were 19 bass per hour of electrofishing around the Ladd Bridge section of the river. The ideal catch rate would be 100 bass per hour. Use a jig, worm, spinner or crank bait around stumps and brush in the river.
white bass	fair	4% 6"- 9" 24% 9"-12" 47% 12"-15" 25% 15"-18"	Use plastic jig, imitation shad, or spinner around brush piles and deep holes in river. Watch for water level rise in river and Otter Creek to initiate spawning run this month. Fish spawn over gravel riffles especially at confluence of river and Otter Creek but anywhere there are riffles.
General Comments:
Link to USACE reservoir water level: http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FALL.lakepage.html Size structures listed are from 2022 October test netting and 2021 spring electrofishing for largemouth bass. No electrofishing occurred in May 2022 due to high water. To view a map of brush piles in Fall River Reservoir and the old sunken Ladd Bridge in the river, copy this file into Google Earth and zoom into the reservoir. FLRR brush piles 1.52 kB 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.

GARNETT NORTH - Last Updated: 3/21/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	Fair	8-14 inches	Focus on deep water habitat such as brush or sharp dropoffs, fish can be caught on various colored jigs or small slab spoons or minnows.
Channel catfish	Fair-Good	8-30 inches	Livers, shad sides, or other prepared baits along ledges or windy banks. The upper end of the lake should be good when water is running in.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 5lbs.	Warming water temps will improve the bite. Try vibrating jigs, rattletraps, swimbaits or suspending jerkbaits near structure. Football jigs and Texas rigged plastics are also usually productive.
Wipers	Slow	up to 6 lbs	Chicken livers or shad imitating baits such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, rattletraps, soft jerkbaits, fished around wind blown banks and dropoffs.

General Comments
Please remember to help STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat and livewell when leaving water bodies. Four Georgia Cube Fish Attractors were placed by the fishing dock (2on the East end and 2 on the West end) on the north end of the lake. 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

GARNETT SOUTH - Last Updated: 3/21/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Methods, and Location


Current Fishing Opportunity

Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 5lbs.	big trout colored swimbaits, vibrating jigs, crankbaits, or football jigs dragged across the bottom slowly.
Bluegill	Slow	up to 8 inches	Small jigs or flies, also bobber with a worm.
Channel Catfish	Fair	8-24 inches	chicken livers, cut bait or other prepared bait lakewide.
Crappie	Fair	6-10 inches	Minnows under a bobber over deep water will be your best bet. vertical fishing jigs near vertical structure may be productive.

TROUT	Fair-Good		This is a TYPE 1 WATER - ALL ANGLERS NEED A TROUT PERMIT. TROUT SEASON BEGINS NOV. 1 AND RUNS THRU APRIL 15. Small jigs or spinners or prepared trout bait should work.

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 link below 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

JOHN REDMOND RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/21/2023 Print

Species	Size	Rating	Bait, Method, Location
Channel Catfish	up to 20lbs.	Fair-Good	Drifting various baits lakewide or focusing on wind blown shorelines using various baits such as livers or fresh cut bait
Blue Catfish	up to 30 lbs.	Fair	Fishing wind blown shorelines with fresh cut bait. A few fish are harvestable size but most fish in the population are below 35". There is a 35" minimum length limit.
White Bass	up to 3lbs.	Good	Throwing shad imitating baits along the dam or wind blown shorelines. Fishing below the dam can be good during low to moderate releases. Good numbers of big fish are available. Look for spawning runs to start as soon as the weather stabilizes and water temps start creeping higher.
Crappie	up to 15"	Fair-Good	Wintering schools should start breaking up but anglers should still be able to find them around the brush piles listed below or up in the creeks as the water temps warm.
Comments - Fishing should be good below the dam for multiple species during low to moderate releases. Brush Pile Coordinates: N 38^o 14.743' W 95 ^o 45.998' N 38^o 14.658' W 95^o 46.138' N 38^o 14.419' W 95^o 46.767' N 38^o 14.256' W 95^o 46.423' N 38^o 14.722' W 95^o 45.641' N 38^o 14.811' W 95^o 45.694' N 38^o 14.922' W 95^o 45.715' N 38^o 15.222' W 95^o 45.728' Fishing below the dam during low to moderate releases should be good for most species. For current lake level and release information click the following link http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/JOHN.lakepage.html. ALERT! This lake contains Zebra Mussels please help stop the spread Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat and equipment after leaving this water body. It is Illegal transport live fish, bait, and water from this lake. For more information on lakes in the New Strawn district click the following link. http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-New-Strawn-Fishing-District

LA CYGNE RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/12/2023 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method, Location

Channel, blue and flathead catfish,

Good

all sizes,

This lake supports good fishing for big blue cats, good channel channel and flatheads. Good baits are worm, frozen shad or liver, Sunfish or cut shad, prepared baits. In the winter months try shoreline fishing at the hotwater outlet. Walk into the lake from the east side. Some blue catfish have been caught that are over 80 pounds. Catfishing can be very good just about anywhere along the shoreline. Trotlines are doing very well.

Crappie

Slow

9 - 12 inches

Crappie anglers are doing well. Fish the hotwater outlet, the dam/outlet, and numerous brushpiles. Sampling and angler reports indicate that there are still alot of good crappie here, most in the 10-12 inch range. Best lures to use are jigs/ minnows, near structure.

Largemouth Bass

Slow

varies but 16 to 20 inches is common

Use surface plugs or plastic worms along the rip rap and shoreline along shaded areas. The hot water area is a favorite.

White bass

Slow

varies, some almost 2 pounds

Use shad imitations, silver spoons. Most of the fish caught in the area of the hot water outlet have been the 1 to 2 pound range. Fish the creek mouth where the fresh water comes in and the fish are stacked up.

Wiper

Slow

some up to 12 pounds

Most fish are in the 4 - 6 pound range with a few larger. Find surface gizzard shad and fish close to the shad.

Carp

Slow

all sizes

newly flooded shoreline cover using dough baits

General Comments

Water levels have improved. Call the Linn County Park at 913-757-6633. The water level is great, just a little murky. The fish are waiting for you. The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. Overall the bass are steady, the channel catfish and wipers are improving.

BASSMASTERS has recognized LA CYGNE RESERVOIR in its TOP 10 bass lakes of the Midwest. We know La Cygne Reservoir is a great bass lake but its nice to receive this type of recognition from Bassmasters. For more information check out these two sites. There was a 6 pounder and a 7 pounder caught last week.

http://www.cjonline.com/sports/20180707/kansas-la-cygne-reservoir-named-one-of-nations-top-100-bass-lakes

https://www.hayspost.com/2018/07/15/kansas-lake-is-one-of-the-countrys-top-100-bass-fishing-lakes/

For information on the Linn County Marina boat ramps call 913 757-6633. Fishing at La Cygne produces a mixed bag of fish from big blue, channel 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.

HOT WATER ACCESS. On the east side of the lake access to the hot water return, where a lot of fish are caught when its cold, is: at 69 HWY and Ks HWY 152, go east and drive across the dam on E.2200 Rd., turn north at Young Rd. and go West at E. 2400 Rd. to the parking lot. Anglers walk from the parking lot west on the path to the hot water return area. But this is a great place to fish.

This lake has had a reproducing blue catfish population for many years, fingerling blue cats were stocked this fall to supplement that population. Another goal for this lake is to improve blue cat angling.

Call the Linn County Park at 913-757-6633 for more information or camping, and cabins reservations.

Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake and Linn Valley Private Lake, we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat, motor, trailer and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water.

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 lake.

Habitat improvement and shoreline enhancement continue to improve by adding Georgia cubes. I have added Georgia cubes to several areas to enhance angling especially along shoreline areas. The gps coordinates are:

Location La Cygne Reservoir

Habitat longititude latititude description date

hot water weir N 38 22.852 W 094 39.112 13 cubes 2017
big bass spot N 38 22.420 W 094 39.643 3 cubes 2017

LYON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/22/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Bluegill and Redear	good	51% 4-7" 37% 7-9" 12% 9-11"	Use worm, small jig, or small silver spoon around brush piles and deep ends on rock jetties. The water is very clear and the fish spook easily.
Channel Catfish	fair	29% 11-16" 57% 16-24" 0% 24-28" 14% 28-36"	Use worms, shad sides, or liver around deep brush piles and channel breaks. The feeders are empty for the winter. Feeding will resume on April 15.
Largemouth Bass	good	25% 8-12" 45% 12-15" 30% 15-20" 1% >20"	Use spinners or jigs around brush piles and channel breaks. Fish spook easily due to clear water.
Crappie	good	35% 5-8" 6% 8-10" 40% 10-12" 18% 12-15"	Use small jigs or minnows around deep brush piles and channel breaks. Fishing is best on warm sunny days. Fish move offshore to deeper water with cold fronts.
Saugeye	fair	0% 9-14" 44% 14-18" 33% 18-22" 22% 22-27"	Some saugeye may be caught by bottom bouncing jigs on the dam. Best fishing is in evening to just after sunset. A few fish are caught off the rock jetties. Crank baits don't seem to work as well probably due to the extremely clear water.
General Comments
ATTENTION! This lake has zebra mussels. Live fish may not be transported away from this lake. Clean, drain, and dry all boats. Size structure listed for largemouth bass is from May 2022 electrofishing. The size structures listed for crappie, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish are from November 2022 fall test netting. To view a map of brush pile and habitat cube locations, copy these files into Google Earth and zoom into the lake. LYSL habitat cubes (OCTET-STREAM 979 B) LYSL brush piles 21 (OCTET-STREAM 2.22 kB) For more information about the Fall River/Toronto Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters.

MARAIS DES CYGNES WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 3/11/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
blue, flathead, channel catfish	Slow	varies	fish in the river are concentrated below riffles, stink baits, cut shad, liver, live bluegill
white bass/wipers	Slow	varies	minnows, jigs, work the pools below the rifles,
crappie	slow	varies	on the river use jigs just below riffles
carp, buffalo	slow but could improve with more river flow.	varies	fishing or bowfishing can be good to excellent when wildlife pools are draining or the river is flooding.

General Comments
This area has shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. The marais des cygnes river is at a low flow but could produce some good fishing opportunities. Several reports about good bluecat caught on cut bait or shad with trotlines or rod n reel. The river and streams on the state wildlife area are open to fishing. The Marias des Cygnes River is a great place to float and fish. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. The Marais des Cygnes River is confirmed to contain zebra mussels. Please take extra precaution by not removing fish and placing them in another body of water (bait fish included), and cleaning, draining, and drying boats motors trailers and all equipment before entering another body of water. This helps prevent the spread to unc

MELVERN RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	Good	0.25-1 lbs	Crappie are breaking off from their winter patterns. Fish are more scattered as they being to stage near spawning areas. Weather patterns can greatly influence success and fish location this time of year. There have been good reports from Melvern Marina and Eisenhower State Park using live minnows.
White Bass	Good	0.5-2 lbs	White Bass are staging near rivers and creeks in preparation for their spring spawning runs. Late March and early April is a good time to target White Bass in rivers and creeks.
Walleye/Saugeye/Sauger	Good	0.5-3 lbs	Fish are preparing to spawn and staging offshore from spawning areas. Target rocky shorelines and along dam during early morning and late evening.
Blue Catfish	Good	2-30 bs	Blue catfish are being caught using cut shad. Target wind-blown shorelines and shallow mud flats. Fish can be found cruising the river channel during the day.
Channel Catfish	Fair	1- 6 lbs	Channel catfish can be caught on a variety of baits including nightcrawlers, chicken livers, and cut bait.
Black Bass	Fair	1-4 lbs	Bass fishing is slow until water temperature warm in mid to late spring
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
Blue Catfish			35 inch minimum length limit and 5 fish daily limit went into effect January 1, 2016. This regulation change is to protect adult brood fish which hopefully will allow increased production of young blue catfish, translating into increased numbers of blues in Melvern.
Saugeye			18 inch minimum length limit went into effect Jan. 1, 2023. This change makes Saugeye, Sauger, and Walleye have the same regulations at Melvern Reservoir.
General Comments
Recent Black Bass surveys indicated a healthy Smallmouth population with many fish in the 12-18 inch range. Water Level: As of March 17th, Melvern Reservoir was 2ft below normal pool level with 20 cfs discharge. Current water level conditions can be found at: https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Melvern-Lake/Daily-Lake-Info-2/ Invasive Species: 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.

MINED LAND WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 3/13/2023 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method & Location

Bluegill / Redear / Warmouth

Good

6-9 inches

Bluegill and Redear Sunfish up to 9 inches are common on the strip pits on the Mined Land Wildlife Area. Focus your efforts around structure, slopes, and shallow water at the ends of the pits. Worms under a slip bobber, or 1/16 jigs will be a good bet to try. Casting parallel to shore or the ends of the pits are good locations along vegetation. Fly fishing opportunities are also present; hook sizes of 10-12 with a floating fly or popper may yield fish up to 8 inches.

Channel Catfish

Fair

15-32 inches

Channel catfish have been stocked across the entire wildlife area. Try shad sides, liver, worms or prepared baits. Slip bobbers with worms, stink bait, or live bait fished along the edges will be a good technique to try.

Crappie

Fair

8-12 inches

Crappie can be found throughout the different units on the wildlife area. Try minnows, small jigs, or small spinners fished around brush and structure. Boat and kayak anglers may have luck trolling deeper water and cove habitats as well. Units where crappie have been reported to be caught this winter and for anglers to focus on for crappie would be the following units: 7, 8, 22, 41, and 40, to name a few.

Largemouth Bass

Good

12-21 inches

Largemouth bass can be found in many of the strip pits. Focus your efforts around aquatic vegetation, slopes, beaver dams or any terrestrial or aquatic structure, and shallow water. Many of the strip pits have quality populations. However, there are many with an abundance of 8-12" fish. Consider keeping your daily creel limit of 5 largemouth bass under the protected slot limit (i.e., 13 - 18 inches) to reduce densities to allow for better growth in the strip pits. Many strip pits have quality largemouth bass populations with 15-19" being common. 1/2 oz weedless jigs, ned rigs, bladed jigs, and drop shots thrown parallel to the shore along the slope will be a good technique to try.

Rainbow trout

Good

10-15 inches

The first rainbow trout stocking of the winter and spring of 2022/2023 trout season occurred on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 with a total of 1,200 rainbow trout (800 pounds). The second rainbow trout stocking occurred on Monday, November 15, 2022, with a total of 975 rainbow trout (650 pounds). The third rainbow trout stocking occurred on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, with a total of 1,190 rainbow trout (850 pounds). The fourth rainbow trout stocking occurred on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 with a total of 1,200 rainbow trout (800 pounds). The fifth rainbow trout stocking occurred on Monday, February 13, 2023 with a total of 1,200 rainbow trout (800 pounds). The sixth rainbow trout stocking occurred on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 with a total of 1,000 rainbow trout. The seventh and final rainbow trout stocking occurred on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 with a total of 1,200 rainbow trout (800 pounds). Good luck!

2022/2023 Trout Season / Unit #30 "Trout Pit" Rainbow Trout Stockings

October 26, 2022	1,200 Rainbow Trout
November 15, 2022	975 Rainbow Trout
December 7, 2022	1,200 Rainbow Trout
December 28, 2022	1,200 Rainbow Trout
February 13, 2023	1,200 Rainbow Trout
February 23, 2023	1,000 Rainbow Trout
March 1, 2023	1,200 Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are stocked each spring, fall, and winter in Unit #30 in the "Trout Pit". 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.

Remember anglers -- A trout permit is required to be able to fish on the "Trout Pit" on Unit #30 during the trout season (November 1-April 15). Rainbow trout & Brown Trout are managed under a combined daily creel limit of five fish.

Directions to the Trout Pit (Unit #30) are as follows: 8 miles south of the McCune turn off on Highway 400 on NW 100th St. and a half mile to the west on NW Lawton Rd. OR 5 miles west of West Mineral on NW Scammon Rd., 4 miles south on NW 100th St. and a half mile to the west on NW Lawton Rd.

Brown trout

Fair

15-20 inches

Brown trout have been stocked in Unit #30 in the Trout Pit to provide an additional species and trophy opportunity for anglers. 2,500 small 8 to 10-inch brown trout were stocked on October 22, 2018. Brown trout tend to be more seclusive than rainbow trout, so early morning and evening hours will be your best bet. Try power bait, small spinners, spoons, flies, small crankbaits, worms, or corn.

NEW FOR 2020 -- As of January 1, 2020, there is no longer a 20" minimum and daily creel of 1 Brown Trout per day. Therefore, anglers may keep brown trout in combination with rainbow trout for a combined daily creel of 5.

Walleye

Fair

18-21 inches

Walleye have been stocked on the Mined Land Wildlife Area in Units 7, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 31, 33, 34, 39, 40, 41, and 44 to provide an additional species and angling opportunity on the wildlife area. Limited opportunities exist, due to not being stocked since 2016. The units and strip pits that have been stocked with walleye provide adequate habitat with deeper water and cooler water temperatures. Trolling and vertical jigging techniques will be a good technique to try.

Wiper (Striped bass x White bass hybrid)

Fair

15-20 inches

Wiper are stocked on the Mined Land Wildlife Area in Unit #21. Stockings have occurred since 2007. Techniques to try would be to vertical jig spoons and jigs, trolling with Rapalas and spoons, and casting jigs, spoons, and spinning baits. Other opportunities would be to try a slip bobber with live bait, or chicken liver has been reported to yield a few fish.

Newsletter

STAY UP TO DATE ON FISH STOCKINGS, FISH SAMPLING, AND HABITAT PROJECTS: As District Fisheries Biologists, we send out a newsletter to inform anglers of fish sampling result, aquatic outreach events, fish stockings, and habitat improvement projects, for example. We have a spring and fall edition of our newsletters that you can subscribe to. This is sent directly to your email. If you would like to stay up to date on what is happening on Neosho State Fishing Lake (Lake McKinley), Crawford State Fishing Lake (Farlington Lake), Bone Creek Lake, CFAP and FISH properties, and the Mined Land Wildlife Area strip pits, you can subscribe to the Pittsburg District Newsletter at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Pittsburg-Fishing-District

General Comments

Water Temperature: 44° F, March 13, 2023

Bathymetric maps are now available for the Mined Land Wildlife Area strip pits. This is an ongoing effort by the District Fisheries Biologist, so new pits will be added on a weekly basis. The bathymetric maps that show how deep the strip pits are and water contours can be viewed at the following link: http://ksdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3e0ba6a852d2479aa6e384b4f87a0c2b. The free Explorer GIS app can also be downloaded to use when you're out fishing from your mobile phone, or tablet. This has the ability to use your location to use similar to a depth finder while you're fishing. You can search in your Android, or iPhone, app store for "Explorer GIS", once it is installed you can search for "2020 KDWPT Fishing Access". This will allow for view while you're out fishing. Good luck!

Habitat improvements through the use of hinge-cutting, cedar trees, and "Georgia Cubes" will be placed throughout the unique strip pits on Mined Land Wildlife Area. Angler input is welcomed. If you have individual strip pits that you'd like to see habitat improvements made, please contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173. These will be advertised on the KDWPT website at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Hunting-Fishing-Atlas/Fishing-Atlas/GPS-KML-Information-Files/Google-KMZ-file-of-Fish-Attractor-GPS. Fish attractors and habitat additions have been placed on the Mined Land Wildlife Area and the GPS coordinates can be found at the link provided in the previous sentence as well.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Alert: Be on the look out for Eurasian Watermilfoil if you're fishing on the Mined Land Wildlife Area. This aquatic nuisance plant is present and abundant on multiple strip pits on the Mined Land Wildlife Area. The plant can reproduce rapidly and develop dense mats that don't allow for other beneficial aquatic plants to grow. Eurasian watermilfoil can also impact the fish community in a lake, so please be sure to inspect and clean your fishing gear. Please remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry your kayak, boat, boat trailer, and bait buckets.

If you would like to provide a fishing report for the Mined Land Wildlife Area, don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173.

MONTGOMERY STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 12/7/2022 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Channel Catfish	Fair	14-24"	Catfishing has slowed. Look for catfish along the steeper breaks. Chicken liver and shrimp are working best.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	8-18"	Largemouth bass fishing remains slow. Largemouth can be found in the deeper brush piles and near shoreline structure in the mornings and evenings. Soft plastic baits have been working best, as well as top water lures on calm evenings.
Crappie	Good	8-12"	Crappie fishing remains good. Crappie are still in the deeper brush piles. Minnows have been working best.
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish	Fair	6-8"	Bluegill and redear fishing has slowed. They can be found near the shoreline around vegetation as well as in the deeper submerged brush piles. Worms under a bobber are working best.
General Comments
A bathymetric map is available for Montgomery State Fishing Lake at the link above. District Newsletter 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 (Chautauqua, Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson counties) only. Great Kansas Fishing Derby May 15 to Sept 15 Visit www.ksfishderby.com for more info; Tagged Fish - Channel Catfish, Black Bass, Crappie, Bluegill

MOUND CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/11/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, &amp; Location
Channel Catfish	Slow	Size varies but most are much larger than the 15 inch length limit, with some large fish	Catfish angling has been slow. The fish feeders are OFF. There are alot of big catfish in this lake. Try stink baits, chicken liver, cut shad or chunks of sunfish. The lake supports high numbers of 2 to 8 pounders. The creek in the south end maybe excellent right after a hard rain. We recently stocked channel catfish to expand the population.
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish	Slow	varies	Use small baits, jigs or small worm under a float set for shallow water, fish maybe in shallow.
Crappie	Slow	8 to 14 inches some larger	Try deeper areas adjacent to fish habitat, brushpiles. Recent sampling indicates that majority of crappie are in the 10 inch range with some fish in the 13 to 15 inch ranges. Minnows and dark jigs are best.
Largemouth Bass	Good	varies	The bass are slower with the cold water. There are many fish in the 3+ range. Recent sampling indicates a good population with majority of fish 14 to 19 inches. Try plastics, jig and Pig, slab, try along the rock, trees and timber
General Comments
This is a great Kayak or small craft lake. The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. This lake has great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. Warm weather will really speed up the fishing. Water level is good and clear. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. Water conditions are good. The catfish and crappie are very nice this year. Mound City Lake has a great reputation for producing good strings of crappie this season. Best baits are dark colored jigs and minnows, mainly around underwater structure. Fish feeders are off. Largemouth bass numbers have really improved and continues to produce great fishing. Recently there were 2,000 channel catfish stocked to spice up the fishing. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development) The City of Mound City is constructing a fishing trail along the west side of the lake. This will improve shoreline angling access. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment.

NEOSHO RIVER AT CHETOPA DAM - Last Updated: 5/24/2022 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method, & Location

Paddlefish

Closed

Paddlefish snagging season has ended.

General Comments

THE SNAGGING SEASON IS OPEN FROM MARCH 15 THROUGH MAY 15TH.

•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.

NEOSHO STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/19/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish	Good	3-6" - 17 % 6-8" - 77 % 8-10" - 6 %	Anglers should focus their efforts near brushpiles, fishing access jetties, or shallow water. A bobber and worm, a 1/16 ounce jig with a small twister tail, or a fly rod with a small fly are all good options to try in water less than 6'. The population is trending upward with a higher percentage caught over 7" in last year's sampling.
Warmouth	Fair	7-10 inches	Warmouth are a species that many anglers aren't aware of, but they're a blast to catch if you catch one. Anglers can find warmouth primarily near rocky habitats, such as jetties and on dam, similar to green sunfish. The same tactics for bluegill and redear sunfish can be used to catch warmouth, such as a small hook tipped with a worm under a bobber, fly rod with small flies, and 1/16-1/32 ounce jigs.
Channel catfish	Good	11-16" - 11 % 16-24" - 89 %	Channel catfish can be found throughout all portions of the lake. Last year's sampling indicates a population of more fish in the 16-24" size range. Boat anglers can focus their efforts on the flats of 4-8', coves, and the brushpiles located on the southwest corner of the lake. Shoreline anglers can focus their efforts on the rock jetties throughout the entire lake, however the jetties on the southwest side of the lake are in close proximity of brushpiles that may congregate channel catfish. Prepared baits, shrimp, chicken liver, and cut bait will be your best options to try.
Flathead catfish	Fair	All sizes	Flathead catfish can be caught on live bait, or fresh cut bait, near brushpiles and flats. Brushpiles are located on the southwest corner of the lake. Flathead catfish will move up to the shallows in the morning, evening, and at night, so fishing off the jetties with a bobber and live bait would be a good tactic to try.
Crappie	Good	5-8" - 65 % 8-10" - 31 % 10-12" - 4%	Anglers can focus their efforts on brushpiles, which are located on the lower end on the southwest corner of the lake, drop offs and changes in depth located in close proximity to jetties, and coves. Crappie will congregate near structure. Last year's sampling indicates a similar size structure from last year. 1/8-1/16 ounce jigs with twister tails or tipped with a minnow, live minnows, worms, and small spinners are all good baits to try.
Largemouth Bass	Good	8-12" - 35% 12-15" - 32% 15-20" - 28% > 20" - 4%	Anglers can focus on jetties, if fishing from the shore, where brushpiles are in close proximity. Fishing the edges of aquatic vegetation that is located near the shore can hold largemouth bass in wait to ambush prey that utilize the aquatic vegetation for forage and refuge. Jetties are located on the north end as well as the east and west sides of the lake. Baits include spinnerbaits, top-water lures, plastic worms, and live bait under a bobber are all tactics for anglers to pursue. Recent sampling indicates an improved size structure with many above quality length.
Newsletter			STAY UP TO DATE ON FISH STOCKINGS, FISH SAMPLING, FISH HABITAT PROJECTS: As District Fisheries Biologists, we send out a newsletter to inform anglers of fish sampling result, aquatic outreach events, fish stockings, and habitat improvement projects, for example. We have a spring and fall edition of our newsletters that you can subscribe to. This is sent directly to your email. If you would like to stay up to date on what is happening on Neosho State Fishing Lake (Lake McKinley), Crawford State Fishing Lake (Farlington Lake), Bone Creek Lake, CFAP and FISH properties, and the Mined Land Wildlife Area strip pits, you can subscribe to the Pittsburg District Newsletter at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Pittsburg-Fishing-District
General Comment
Water Temperature: 45° F, March 19, 2023 A habitat enhancement project was conducted in spring of 2020 with over 250 cedar trees being submerged and 27 new brushpile locations being added. You can find the GPS coordinates at the following link by opening the "Complete Online Map": https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Hunting-Fishing-Atlas/Fishing-Atlas Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism fisheries staff recently undertook a project to produce lake maps, or bathymetric maps, for public waters statewide. The lake map for Neosho State Fishing Lake can be found at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas/Bathymetric-Lake-Maps This link will provide you with a link for all bathymetric lake maps for the state of Kansas. Scroll down to find Neosho State Fishing Lake. This will allow for anglers to view the depths of the lake to choose different habitats and lake features to fish for different species, year-round. You will also find current GPS locations of habitat structures placed by KDWPT fisheries staff to easily input into your sonar unit, or find if you are fishing from shore. Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat, bait buckets, and recreational watercraft before and after launching your boat. It is important to remove your drain plug on your watercraft upon departure to drain live wells and water inside of your boat; it will protect our natural resources in Kansas for current anglers and future generations to enjoy. Zebra mussels, white perch, and asian carp are all invasive species that can be found in Kansas. Be sure to stay up to date on information regarding Aquatic Nuisance Species. If you would like to provide a fishing report for Neosho State Fishing Lake, don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173.

OSAGE STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/17/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Current Fishing Condition
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
Sunfish	Fair	Up to 0.25 lbs	Osage SFL contains several sunfish populations including Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and Warmouth. Fishing will improve as water temperature warms. Fish can be found near weed edges and brush piles
Channel catfish	Fair	0.5-5 lbs	Catfish are being caught using liver, nightcrawlers, and cut bait.
Crappie	Good	0.25 - 1lbs	Both Black and White Crappie occur in Osage SFL. A strong year class of 4-6 inch fish were recorded during a recent survey. Additionally, 12-14 inch fish are present. Crappie are transitioning to staging areas offshore from spawning shallows. Weather patterns can greatly influence fish location and fishing success.
Largemouth bass	Fair	0.5-2 lbs	Target bass near the edges of aquatic vegetation, rock jetties, and brush piles using a variety of soft plastics. Fishing will improve as water temperature warms.
General Comments
Note: Zebra Mussels were found at this lake April 27, 2017. Lake users should clean, drain and dry fishing equipment and boats to keep from moving zebra mussels to other waters. GPS coordinates for cube clusters placed on 7/13/21 are: 1. N 38.772333 W 95.672267 4. N 38.767067 W 95.668917 2. N 38.77125 W 95.671467 5. N 38.76465 W 95.67415 3. N 38.771017 W 95.6731 6. N 38.76345 W 95.674617

PLEASANTON CITY LAKE EAST - Last Updated: 3/12/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, &Location
Wipers	Slow	size varies,	look for shad on the surface and cast close. Majority of fish are in the 3 to 5 pound range. spoons, crank baits are good, use shad imitations.
Channel catfish	Good	All sizes,	This lake has a good catfish population and produces nice fish. The fish feeders are off. Anglers commonly catch fish in the 2- 7 pound range, with some over 10 pounds. Best baits are bluegill chunks, worms, liver, traditional chicken liver, shrimp, prepared baits, lakewide. Gear up for these big channels. We recently stocked 2000 channel catfish.
Largemouth bass	Good	varies	lots of bass with a balanced population. try dropoffs, and the deep side of weed bed habitat. Try using silver or blue crank baits or soft baits. Lots of bass in the 12 to 15 inch range. An angler caught 8 yesterday with the biggest at 4 lbs.
Walleye	Slow	18-24 inches	An incidental fish taken near deeper habitat.
White Crappie	Good	8-14 inches	The crappie are improving and are in the 8 inch to 15 inches long. Fish are in deeper and around the brushpiles. Use pink, blue/white tube or green jigs, minnows. Fish the creek mouth where the fresh water comes in and the fish are stacked up.
General Comment
Water levels have improved. This is a great Kayak or small craft lake. The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. The best time to fish is anytime you can. This lake has great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. Warm weather will really speed up the fishing. This is a great kayaking while you are fishing lake, no recreational boating. Have the lake to yourself. There are good crappie here. This lake has a high density of largemouth bass, great fishing for kids! Also, keep in mind that there is a decent wiper population. The channel cat population in this lake is doing well, and during our sampling we saw a few walleye, as well as some sizeable flatheads. Channel catfish, 2,800 are stocked in mid October to increase fishing opportunities. This will supplement the population and maintain fishing opportunities. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and (Private) Linn Valley Lake in Linn County, we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat and motor, trailer, and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. 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. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk 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.

PLEASANTON CITY LAKE WEST - Last Updated: 3/11/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, &amp; Location
channel catfish	Slow	Size varies, some up to 8 pounds	Lots of channel catfish and anglers are doing well. Use cut shad or sunfish or best on chicken liver, shrimp, worms, prepared baits, along dam, lots of fat fish from 2 - 6 pounds. This lake is a great channel catfish lake with great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. Gearup for these big channel catfish. We recently restocked this lake so the catfish numbers are even higher. The fish feeders are off.
crappie	Slow	All sizes	Density and quality of fish is good. The crappie are in and out with the water temperatures. Most about 9 inches with some in the 12 inch range. Because of the lake design and habitat placements, most fish are accessible from the shoreline. Fish with jigs, blue /white, minnows,
largemouth bass	Slow	12-23 inches	water levels are good and lots of fish in the 2 to 4 pound range. Use crank baits or spinners, recent sampling shows many bass over 3 pounds. Even with the colder water temperatures bass are still responding to stick baits and medium depty crank baits.
bluegill	Good	varies	Most fish are under 8 inches. use a small worm or jig under a float.
General Comments
Water levels have improved. This is a great Kayak or small craft lake. The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. The fish feeders are off and support alot of channel catfish. This lake has great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. Water levels are good. Best time to fish is anytime you can. Pleasanton West Lake produces a quality bass and channel catfish fishery. Largemouth bass, overall are in very good condition and health. Try your luck with roadrunners, jigs, and spinners for these sizeable fish! Recently there were 2,800 channel catfish stocked to spice up the fishing. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development), we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat and motor, trailer, and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. Don't move water. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk 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.

POMONA RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 3/11/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Channel, Blue, Flathead Catfish	Slow	all sizes	good baits are worms or dip baits and cut sunfish or cutshad. Both of the Parks provide many great shorelines for bank fishing. The Rock Quarry is a good place for shore fishing. The outlet can be very good when releasing larger amounts of water. There is the occasional harvest of a blue catfish. Channel catfish are in great shape, many in the 2 to 4 pound range. Lots of catfish caught in the spillway on worms or cut bait.
Walleye/saugeye	Slow	varies	Try crank baits or jigs tipped with night crawlers along the flats
White bass/Wipers	Slow	varies	There are good white bass up to 2 pounds and good wipers up to the 5-6 pound pounds. Good baits are minnows/live baits, cut bait, sometimes for wipers use liver and shad imitation lures. Look for where shad are schooled up.
Crappie	Good	varies but range 8 -12 inches	Very good crappie are still being caught. Sampling shows alot of good crappie over 10 inches here. Shallow windy shorelines and points are good places for crappie feeding on gizzard shad. Best baits are dark jigs and/or minnows. When releasing high volume of water the outlet/spillway is fantastic.
Largemouth Bass	Poor	Most are 10 to 15 inches	Pomona has a limited black bass fishery with some smallmouth bass being caught. Catches are more common in the Marina area and in the coves on a variety of baits to include crankbaits and soft baits
General Information
Water levels have improved. Pomona has produced many good crappie in the 10 to 14 inch range and excellent white bass. Angling will improve as the water cools down. Also remember this lake has a good wiper population. These are often caught at the drop offs along creek channels, and around concentrations of gizzard shad. The reservoir also supports some larger walleye and blue catfish, though in low numbers. These numbers will be improved by future stockings. Zebra mussels now inhabit this lake. This means take EXTRA PRECAUTION to help prevent the spread into uncontaminated impoundments. "Clean, Drain and Dry" before and after using any equipment on this lake. For additional information, water temperature, release rates, please check: http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Pomona-Lake/Daily-Lake-Information/ Have FUN, Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. The State and COE Parks are ready for family fishing. Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today! Check out this video on fish management provided by KDWPT http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Special-Fishing-Programs-for-You/Fishing-Videos/Kansas-Fish-Management For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk

WARM DAYSFT. SCOTT LAKE - Last Updated: 3/12/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
largemouth and spotted bass	Slow	varies	shad imitating crank baits, or soft plastic baits close to fish structure, the deeper side of weed beds and along rocky points.
channel and flathead	Good	varies, some very nice	There is a good population of channel catfish, many around 3-4 pounds. Fish are lakewide, best with cut shad, sponge baits, worms. Recent fish population sampling indicates a great population of channel catfish in the 2 - 5 pound range. Fish the South end where creek comes in during or after a rain. We recently stocked 1,000 larger channel catfish into this lake. The fish feeders are ON for the season.
walleye	Slow	varies	use dark jigs and crankbaits, along flats and drop-offs. most fish are above the 18 inch length limit.
crappie	Slow	varies, many over 11 inches	Warm sunny days improve crappie fishing. Most fish are caught in the south end, especially around brushpiles and along deeper water breaks. There are a high percentage of fish over 10 inches. Try black and white jigs under a float.
bluegill	Slow	varies	use small baits, such as worms, jigs suspended under a float, in deeper water
General Comments
The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. Ft Scott Lake has boat ramps and several docks and good shoreline access for fishing. This lake has great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. The lake has a good reputation for producing good stringers of channel catfish. Channel catfish from the rearing pond are stocked into this lake each fall. Recent tree/habitat placements, In 2014, 2015 and 2016, 2017 about 900 xmas trees were placed at each end of the dam and along Scoratino Park. The tree placement along the dam are very accessible for shoreline anglers. This project is will improve angler success for bass and crappie. Recently there were 3,500 channel catfish stocked to spice up the fishing. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development), we'd like to remind you to "CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY" all watercraft before and after entering this lake. Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don t Go. Buy your state fishing license and have fun. Please 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! For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk This is a Community Fisheries Assistance Lake Cooperator,no city permits for fishing and boating while fishing. City permit required for recreational boating. Great Kansas Fishing Derby May 15 to Sept 15 Visit www.ksfishderby.com for more info; Tagged Fish - Channel Catfish

WILSON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 12/7/2022 Print

General Comments
Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Fair	16-24"	Catfishing has slowed. Look for fish near deeper breaks and brush piles. Shad sides and chicken livers have been working best.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass	Fair	10-22"	Largemouth bass fishing remains slow. Most bass have moved into the deeper brush piles, but some can still be found near shoreline structure. Look for bass to feed more actively in the early morning and evening hours. Soft plastic baits and top water lures during calm days have been working best.
Crappie	Good	8-12"	Crappie fishing remains good. Crappie are still being found in the deeper brush piles. Minnows have been working best.
Bluegill and Redear	Fair	6-8"	Bluegills and redears fishing has slowed. Bluegill and redear can be found in the deeper brush piles. Jigs tipped with a worm have been working best.
Both maintained boat ramps are currently usable. A bathymetric map is available for Wilson State Fishing Lake at the link above. District Newsletter 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 (Chautauqua, Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson counties) only.

WOODSON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 3/21/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Bait, Method, Location
Largemouth Bass	Fair	6-14"	Lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, Texas-rigged plastics, or spinnerbaits fished around structural elements such as isolated brush on flats or rocky points should produce.
Channel Catfish	Fair	12-26"	Livers, shad sides, stink bait fished on wind blown banks. Lots of fish in the 1-4 lb. range.
Walleye	Slow	8-12"	Fall sampling indicates a few fish over 15" are available.
Bluegill	Fair	4-6"	mealworms, nightcrawlers, or small jigs fished near shore and around vegetation or brush.
Crappie	Fair	6-10"	Recent sampling has shown there are a lot of 8" fish currently with some fish tickling the 10" mark. Fishing with jigs and minnows around the deeper brush piles or cube clusters will produce fish.
We added 120 brush piles and 220 Georgia Cubes to the lake for fish habitat. For a map of these habitat locations and a bathymetric map of Woodson State Fishing Lake CLICK HERE

YATES CENTER - SOUTH OWL - Last Updated: 3/21/2023 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Largemouth bass	Fair	1-5 lbs.	Football jigs, vibrating jigs, Texas-rigged plastics or suspending jerkbaits worked slowly near structural elements such as the creek channel breaks and points.
channel catfish	Fair	1/2-15 lbs	Using shad sides livers or other prepared baits on wind blown banks should get a few bites.
Walleye	No reports	10-24"
crappie	Fair	up to 14"	Look for crappie around deeper water structure and try using live bait, jigs, or small slab spoons.
General Comments
STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat and livewell before leaving an area. DO NOT MOVE FISH OR BAIT between waters. We sank 30 Georgia Cube Fish Attractors in this lake and they are holding fish. Click on the following link to download the Google Earth File and get the coordinates. http://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Hunting-Fishing-Atlas/Fishing-Atlas/GPS-KML-Information-Files/Google-KMZ-file-of-Artificial-Habitat-Fish-Attractor-GPS District Fisheries Newsletter. http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-New-Strawn-Fishing-District

YATES CENTER CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/21/2023 Print

Species	Size	Rating	Baits, Methods, Locations
Redear and Bluegill	up to 10"	Fair	A good population of both species is present in this lake. small jigs or worms fished around deeper brush or timber.
Largemouth Bass	8-18"	Fair	Football jigs, suspending jerkbaits, or slow rolling big spinnerbaits around various structural elements. The bite will improve with increasing water temps. over the next few weeks
Catfish	up to 10lbs.	Fair	Shad sides, worms, or other prepared baits fished on windy flats or upper end of lake when water is coming in. Don't be afraid to fish shallow water. Feeders are off, DO NOT TIE BOATS TO THE FEEDERS!
Wipers/White Bass	8-18"	Fair	Vertical jigging slab spoons or shad imitation jigs around the creek channel and deeper water or fish may be caught along the rocky shorelines or windy points using small spinners, crankbaits, or hair jigs.
Crappie	up to 12"	Fair-Good	Focus on deeper water in standing timber near channel bends and dropoffs, vertical jigging minnows or jigs should be productive. Lots of 8-9" fish, and anglers are encouraged to keep these fish up to 20/day to benefit the population.
Walleye	15-24"	slow	No reports
This lake contains Eurasian Watermilfoil. Please remember to help stop the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat and equipment when leaving water bodies.

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