Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

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 (KMZ)

All artificial statewide fish attractors' GPS (PDF)

Listing of Downloadable Bathymetric Maps

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: 10/10/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Largemouth Bass	Good	1-4 pounds	Fall bass fishing can be very good as the fish are feeding heavily in preparation for winter. Fishing around the flooded cattails, jetties, and lily pads are good places to try. Soft plastics, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are good lures to try this time of year.
Bluegill	Slow	4 to 6 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 nymphys or dry flies fished on the surface.
Channel Catfish	Good	12-25 inches	If there is any inflow, catfish will normally congregate there to feed. Shad sides, shad gizzards, shrimp, and chicken livers are all good baits to try for catfish. Fishing in the evening and after dark may yield the best results. There are normally a lot of catfish around the outlet area near the dam throughout the year.
Saugeye	Good	12-24 inches	The saugeye can be found near shore in water less than 5 feet this time of year. The upper half of the lake is holding the best numbers with the Willow Creek area and the jetties north of there very good areas to try. Many of the saugeye in the lake are of legal size and anglers should be able to have some success if targeting saugeye. Jig and crawler, minnows, crankbaits, and swim baits are all good options to use for catching saugeye now.
Crappie	Good	Most 8-13 inches	Similar to saugeye, the crappie numbers are much better on the upper half of the lake and anglers should focus their efforts up there. Some very nice crappie up to 13 inches can be caught now using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. Also, casting road runners and Panther Martins along the jetties and brush near shore may also yield some nice crappie this time of year as they are feeding on shad now.
General Comments
Water temperature: 55ºF CAUTION: LONGER BOAT TRAILERS MAY FALL OFF EDGE OF BOAT RAMP WHEN WATER IS LOW The cabin can now be rented - call the Hays Regional Office - 785-628-8614 - for reservations or more information.

CEDAR BLUFF RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Crappie	Fair/Good	Up to 15 inches	Vertically fishing minnows, jigs, and slab spoons around the fish attractors has been the best bet. Anglers report catching 10 to 20 fish most days, and the keeper sized fish are running primarily in the 11 to 14 inch range. Remember, a 10 inch minimum length limit is in effect on black and white crappie.
Walleye	Fair	Up to 28 inches	The fall bite appears to have begun as walleyes begin feeding up with the onset of cooler water. Anglers are catching fish vertically fishing slab spoons over deeper drop-offs. Most fish are running in the 15 to 19 inch range, but there have been several keepers reported this past week. Remember a 21 inch minimum length limit went into effect January 1, 2018 and the creel limit remains 5 fish/day.
White Bass/Wipers	Fair	Whites up to 17 inches Wipers up to 13 lbs.	Vertically fishing slab spoons near drop offs or trolling deep diving crankbaits along edges of underwater shelves and points has been best. Anglers report catching around a dozen fish ranging in length from 11 to 14 inches on the better days days. White bass anglers are catching a few wipers here and there fishing vertically.
WATER TEMPERATURE-64 SURFACE ELEVATION- 2121.63-22.37' below conservation pool NEW FOR 2018: Effective January 1, 2018 changes to fish harvest regulations are as follows; Walleye-21" minimum length limit, 5 fish/day creel limit Crappie-10" minimum length limit, 50 fish/day creel limit 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. Cedar Bluff District Newsletter: A biannual newsletter detailing fishing related prospects 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

GLEN ELDER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 9/28/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Crappie	Fair	8-13 inches	The fish will be hanging out around the deeper brush piles and Georgia cubes. They can be much harder to catch in the summer, but using minnows and jigs tipped with minnows may yield a few fish. There is also a summer pattern with fish hanging out near standing timber. They can also be caught using dead stick minnows.
Walleye	Fair	14-28 inches	Things have slowed a bit and the walleye bite has been tougher. There will be a few caught by anglers trolling for white bass and wipers using a variety of crankbaits. There is also a shallow water pattern throughout the summer with anglers catching fish in 3 to 6 feet of water along the state park shoreline and in Walnut Creek. Trolling shallow running crankbaits works well as does casting swim baits and slab spoons.
White Bass Wipers	Good	11-18 inches 19-29 inches	Same as last week. There has been a fair amount of surface activity with mainly white bass, but also with a few wipers. Look for these fish chasing shad on calm days around the state park, dam, and south bluffs, especially during the last hour of daylight. There are also fish being caught around the outlet depending on how much water is moving through. Anglers should also target the windblown side of the reservoir as schools of whites will follow the shad close to shore. Trolling along the old highway 24 roadbed and in Walnut Creek has also been productive.
Black Bass	Fair to Good	12 to 18 inches	Black bass fishing can still be good in the summer when fishing early in the day and late in the evening. Casting topwater lures has been very productive for both species, but using plastic worms, Senkos, and Ned rigs will also work well. Remember, there is a 21 inch length limit on smallmouth bass and an 18 inch length limit on largemouth bass. All fish less than those lengths should be immediately released with care.
Catfish	Good	All Sizes	Chumming activity will offer the best angling opportunities using a variety of stink baits. Anglers should also target moving water and fish for catfish up the rivers and near the outlet as water is being released. Set line anglers will have success on the west end and in the creek coves for both flatheads and channel catfish.
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: 68°F Current Water Level: 1.5 feet above conservation 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!

JEWELL STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 9/28/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Crappie	Fair	8-11 inches	Anglers should target fish around the brush piles and Georgia cubes. The fish may still be caught in shallow water on occasion, but will be in 10-20 feet of water for the most part. Anglers should fish with minnows and jigs tipped with minnows for best results.
Largemouth Bass	Good	13-22 inches	We completed our spring electrofishing sample for largemouth bass and collected a very nice population with a mix of sizes. The best numbers were 16 to 17 inch fish, but plenty of 18 to 22 inch fish were also collected with the biggest weighing 6.2 pounds. There are also good numbers of young fish coming into the population indicating these strong numbers should continue for many years with the new 18 inch length limit. The fish were found lakewide, but islands of phragmites and cattails just off the bank seemed to hold the best numbers with open pockets in the middle of tall vegetation also being key locations to target bass. There is now an 18 inch Minimum length limit on all bass in Jewell!!!
Channel Catfish	Good	11-25 inches	The catfish numbers look very good right now based on fall netting and anglers should be pleased with the numbers of cats in the lake. Many of these fish are in the 3-5 pound range, but there are also a handful of larger fish between 7 and 10 pounds. Traditional baits like stink bait, shad sides, and chicken liver should all work for catching some catfish now. Anglers have been catching them off the jetties and the boat dock. Remember there is a 15 inch minimum length limit on channel catfish!
Bluegill Green Sunfish Redear Sunfish	Good	6-9 inches	Bluegill numbers appear to be stable right now with fish between 4 and 7 inches dominating the catch, but fish up to 8 inches were collected this past fall. Redear sunfish are thriving very well right now with fish up to 10 inches collected this fall. There are two size groups with good numbers of 6-8 inch fish and fair numbers of 9 to 10 inch fish. For now, traditional fishing with a worm and bobber around the jetties and other cover may be the best way to catch some of these guys. Fly fishing with a variety of nymphs and wet flies should also be productive.
General Comments
ATTENTION ANGLERS! Beginning January 1, 2018, the new minimum length limit on largemouth bass will be 18 inches at Jewell. ALL largemouth bass less than 18 inches will need to be released immediately. Water temperature: 65°F Water level: 2.5 feet low

KANOPOLIS RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Channel Catfish	Good	16 - 21"	Good. Channel cats are being caught in the middle and upper ends of the lake. Try using worms and cutbait in 2-8' of water throughout the lake. Liver and dough bait is also a good choice this time of year.
Crappie	Fair	10 to 14 inches	Fair. Try jigs on fish attractors.
Trout			NOTICE: Trout season is over.
Walleye/Saugeye	Fair	14 - 22"	Fair. Try trolling or jigging in 12-20' of water near the river channel, along the dam, and deeper areas off of points.
White Bass	Fair	All sizes - up to 17 inches	Fair. Try jigging small spoons and road runners near the river channel in the middle and lower portions of the reservoir.
Wiper	Fair	All sizes	Slow. No reports for this species.
General Comment
Elevation: Water level is 20' above conservation pool & stabilizing. Water Temperature: 54 degrees. 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: 9/20/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	7 to 16 inches	Did have reports of fish being caught off the public fishing dock and private boat slips using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. Would also look for them up in the coves using jigs and jigs with minnows under a bobber or try fishing around the 3 fish attractors. Recently added new cedar trees to the fish attractors, end of private dock and around the public fishing dock.
Saugeye/Walleye	Fair	14 to 26 inches	Been hearing reports of fish being caught up by the Marsh Dike around Duck Blind point and trolling around Monkey Island and the swim beach. Would also try fishing along the south road bed using jigs and jigs tipped with worms or trolling diving Lures. Also, heard of some short fish being caught, therefore, remember the 18-inch length limit. Stocked in 500,000 saugeye fry on 4-17-18.
Wiper	Fair	15 to 28 inches	Would try fishing around the mouth of Leota cove and Concrete cove using jigs and jigs with worms and/or minnows. The point just south of the swim beach might be a good bet also. Starting Jan. 1, 2018 Wiper creel limit will be going up to 5/Day instead of 2/Day.
Catfish	Fair	14 to 30 inches	Would try fishing up to the west end using stink bait, liver and worms on the bottom. Also, try using trot lines and set lines towards the west end.
Largemouth/Spotted Bass	Good	10 to 20 inches	Would try fishing along the Dam, in Leota and Schoen's coves and up by the sand pit using artificial baits and crankbait's. Remember there is a 15" length limit on all bass.
General Comments
WATER TEMPERATURE- 77° SURFACE ELEVATION- 2293.22 ---- 11.08' below conservation Currently, the water level is 2.04 feet higher than it was one year ago, at this time. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water! Therefore, please discard leftover bait in a trash can. 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 spring and fall 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

KIRWIN RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 9/20/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	7 to 17 inches	Did hear of some crappie being caught around the North and South fish attractors, off the Dam and around the Outlet using jigs and jigs with minnows.
Walleye	Fair	15 to 28 inches	Did have reports of fish being caught along the dam using jigs and crank baits. Also catching them off the river channel drop offs using jigs and night crawlers. Would also start fishing the flats with night crawlers. Remember the 15-inch length limit. Stocked in 1.5 million fry on 4-17-18.
White Bass/ Wiper	Good	10 to 30 inches	Did have reports of fish being caught around the fish attractors and up west by the Cowley area using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. Also catching them off the Dam using jigs. Starting Jan. 1, 2018 Wiper creel limit will be going up to 5/Day instead of 2/Day.
Catfish	Fair	20 to 30 inches	Did have reports of fish being caught up by the Cowley area, in catfish cove on the Bow Creek arm and around railroad Flats and the Borrow Pit south of Knob Hill using shad, cut bait and stink bait on the bottom.
Largemouth Bass	Good	6 to 15 inches	Would try fishing around the north and south shore boat ramps, along Knob Hill and up in the coves using crankbait's and soft plastics.
General Comments
WATER TEMPERATURE- 77° SURFACE ELEVATION- 1729.38 ---- 0.13' above conservation pool Currently, the water level is 4.59 feet higher than it was one year ago, at this time. Started releasing for irrigation on 06-18-2018 and have shut releases off, therefore, are currently releasing 0 cfs. Will be performing a creel survey starting in March and going thru October. Therefore, if approached by our creel clerk, please take a few minutes to answer some questions. Fish cleaning station is NO LONGER on the NE corner of the square in Kirwin. The USFWS, BOR and KDWPT constructed a new facility just West of the water tower. The new fish cleaning station is now open for the summer. Please use it with respect and help keep it clean for the next user. The Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) has been put into effect at Kirwin, so if you have any questions contact the Service at 785-543-6673 or stop by their office at 702 Xavier Road. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water! Therefore, please discard leftover bait in a trash can. 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 spring and fall 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

LOVEWELL RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 9/28/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Walleye	Fair to Good	17-24 inches	Anglers have been catching some walleye around the inlet, off Walleye Point, and near the Cedar Point boat ramp. Most of the fish are legal size, but measure carefully as there are a handful of fish just short of the 18 inch minimum length limit.
White Bass/Wipers	Good	7-13 inches 14-23 inches	White bass are being caught in good number near the Cedar Point boat ramp, especially with the wind blowing in. Anglers have also been catching some near the inlet and outlet using twistertails, Rattletraps, and slab spoons. Trolling around Cabin Point, the cross area, and Oak Hill should also produce some white bass with a few wipers mixed in as well.
Crappie	Fair	7-13 inches	During the summer, the fish will be hanging out around the deeper brush piles and Georgia cubes. They can be much harder to catch in the summer, but using minnows and jigs tipped with minnows may yield a few fish. There is also a summer pattern with fish hanging out near standing timber. They can also be caught using dead stick minnows.
Catfish	Good	All Sizes	The summer pattern continues. Catfish are being caught all over the reservoir and anglers shouldn't have much trouble finding some fish. Blue catfish are feeding on flats off the river channel in 12 to 16 feet of water and can be caught drifting shad and cut carp. There are plenty of flatheads to be found around the brush piles, off the dam, near the inlet, and around the Georgia cubes. The channel catfish bite has been fair to good near the inlet and outlet areas when water is moving through. Remember, Blue Catfish must be 35 inches long to be kept. Any Blue Catfish less than 35 inches must be immediately returned to the water!!!
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. Current water temperature: 68°F Current water level: 0.3 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: 9/20/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
			CURRENT FISHING
Largemouth Bass	Fair	6-18 inches	Stocked in 6,700 largemouth bass fingerlings on 06-08-2018.
Bluegill	Fair	3-9 inches	Would try use worms under a bobber around the jetty and along the Dam.
Catfish	Fair	10-25 inches	Would try using worms, stinkbait and shrimp on the bottom. Stocked 140 channel catfish that averaged 7 pound a piece on 08-15-2017. Stocked in another 6,700 channel catfish that averaged 4 fish/pound on 09-19-2017.
Black Crappie	Good	4-6 inches	Catching them lake wide using jigs, jigs with worms and jigs with minnows.
General Comments
Water Temp. 75 Degrees Lake is currently full. Have stocked channel catfish and bluegill and stocked in 6,700 largemouth bass fingerlings on 05-16-2017. Also, stocked 140 channel catfish that averaged 7 pounds a piece on 08-15-2017. Stocked another 6,700 channel catfish that averaged 4 fish/pound on 09-19-2017. Stocked 28,750 bluegill (mix of adult, intermediate and fingerling) on 09-27-17. 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: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Slow	Up to 13 inches	Drifting or trolling small crankbaits, minnows, or jigs over deeper water or vertically fishing minnows around deep fish attractors.
Largemouth Bass	Fair/Good	Up to 5 lbs.	Casting spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and soft plastics around shoreline brushpiles, along the dam, or around the fishing pier.
Saugeye	Fair/Good	Up to 3 lbs.	Drifting minnows or casting and trolling crankbaits along the dam and over shelves adjacent to creek channel drop-offs.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber along rocky shorelines and around deeper brush.
Channel Catfish	Fair/Good	Up to 19 lbs.	Worms, cut bait, and shrimp fished lake-wide mainly at night.
Wiper	Fair	Up to 2 lbs.	Casting small, shad imitating baits like white road runners.
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: 9/20/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	9 to 17 inches	Would try fishing around the north and south shore breakwater's, along the Dam and outlet areas and around the fish attractor's using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. Recently added cedar trees to all 4 fish attractors.
Walleye	Fair	14 to 28 inches	Did have reports of fish being caught off the Old Swim Beach and Old Marina Cove point, and also west of the Methodist Camp point. Would also try fishing off the dam and drop offs trolling diving lures or using jigs with night crawlers. Remember the 15-inch length limit. Stocked 1.2 million fry in on 4-17-18.
White Bass/Wiper	Good	10 to 30 inches	Did have reports of some nice wipers being caught. Would try fishing around the north & south shore breakwaters, Old Marina Point, along the Dam and along Rock Point cove using jigs, jigs tipped with minnows and/or worms. Starting Jan. 1, 2018 Wiper creel limit will be going up to 5/Day instead of 2/Day.
Catfish	Fair	20 to 36 inches	Would try fishing the windward side of the Reservoir up in the shallows and up west using worms, liver, shrimp, shad and stink bait on the bottom. Trot lines and set lines could also be productive.
Largemouth Bass	Good	6 to 15 inches	Would try fishing along the north and south shore breakwater's, up in the coves and along the Dam and Bluff's using crankbait's and soft plastics.
General Comments
WATER TEMPERATURE- 77° SURFACE ELEVATION- 1892.83 ---- 0.38' above conservation pool Currently, the water level is 2.99 feet higher than it was one year ago at this time. All high-water boat ramps are usable (Old Marina, Rock Point and Goose Flats) Started releasing water to maintain lake elevation on 2-22-2018 and irrigation/flood releases on 6-18-2018 and are currently releasing 0 cfs. Irrigation releases were shut off on August 30th. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water! Therefore, please discard leftover bait in a trash can. Now Available: A Webster District newsletter that will include Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoir's 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. The link is: 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: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Crappie	Poor	10-14 inches	Poor. No reports. Few crappie occur in Wilson Reservoir.
Striped Bass	Fair	2-25 pounds	Fair. Reports are that stripers have become difficult to locate. A good number of stripers have been located mid-lake on main lake points in 6-10' of water chasing shad. Try trolling and jigging large spoons and roadrunners.
Walleye	Fair	16-25 inches	Fair. The walleye bite is still slow. Try nearshore habitat along the reed grass towards the upper and middle portions of the lake. Try main lake points during the day. For bait, try jigs, spoons, and trolling crankbaits.
Blue/Channel Catfish	Good	2-20 pounds	Channel Catfish) Some are having success chumming throughout the lower reservoir (Otoe, Hell Creek, etc.). Try using worms, liver, and dough bait this time of year. Blue Catfish) Blue catfish are being caught throughout the reservoir but upper end seems to have the most fish. Areas closer to the mouths of creeks and the main river channel seem to hold the most fish. Try cut bait (shad, carp, bluegill) for blue catfish. Be on the lookout for blue catfish which are also in the reservoir. They are not legal size yet so make sure and take care to return them to the water. There is a 35 inch minimum length limit on blue catfish at Wilson Reservoir!
White Bass	Fair	12-18 inches, up to 3 pounds	Fair. White bass are scattered. Try jigging deep shoreline near the bluffs and throughout horseshoe bend.
Black Bass	Fair	12-19 inches	Fair. Bass fishing has been difficult with all of the weather fronts. The water temps are dropping. Try gizzard shad imitation baits near vegetation and rocky shorelines (jerk baits, spinner baits, etc.). Try topwater baits near the reed grass in the early morning and late evening.
White Perch	Good	9 to 13 inches	Good. White perch can be caught throughout the lake but conditions are best in the upper reservoir as the shallow part of the lake warms up quicker. A lot of white perch were observed in Indian Creek Cove. - 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!!!!! The white perch numbers are down in Wilson right now which is the goal of managing aquatic nuisance species. While this species will continue to thrive and reproduce in Wilson, they are still an ANS species and KDWPT has managed the predator base in such a way to limit their numbers. The hope is that the white bass will be able to make a comeback at the expense of the white perch numbers declining.
General Comments
Lake Elevation = 3.0' ABOVE conservation pool & rising. Surface Temperature = 57 degrees. BOAT RAMP UPDATE: All boat ramps are useable. 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: 8/31/2018 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 over brush piles. Fish should be seeking refuge from the summer heat in deeper waters above the thermocline.
Bluegill	Fair to Good	up to 0.5 lbs	Bluegill can be caught with a night crawler under a bobber in shallow coves.
Channel Catfish	Fair	up to 7.7 lbs	The fish feeders have been filled and go off twice in the morning and twice in the evening. Channel catfish are being caught from shore using cut shad, dough balls, or chunks of worm.
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
If you have information that you would like to contribute to the fishing report contact Nick Kramer at 785-246-4514

BROWN STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 8/31/2018 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 1.0 lbs.	Best luck for Crappie would come from fishing the brush piles next to and in between the fishing jetties.
Bluegill	Fair - Good	up to 0.3 lbs.	Bluegill may be caught using a chunk of worm under a bobber in shallow coves.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 5.5 lbs	The fish feeders have been filled and are set to go off twice in the morning and twice in the evening. Catfish are being caught from shore using cut bait, dough baits, or chicken livers.
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	up to 4.0 lbs.	Spinner 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 785-246-4514

CENTRALIA CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Channel Catfish	Fair	Up to 12 pounds	The lake has a great channel catfish population.
White Bass	Slow to Fair	1/2 to 1 lb.	Not a lot of white bass this year but the fish are nice sized.
Wiper	Slow to Fair	Up to 26"	Wiper were introduced to help control the gizzard shad population. There are moderate numbers of 15 to 22" wiper in the lake. Wiper creel limit is 2 a day. To determine if it is a wiper or white bass, you can look at the tooth patch on the tongue. Wiper has two tooth patches. White bass has only one tooth patch. The fishing regs has good pictures for identification.
Crappie	Fair	1/2 to 1 pound	The lake has lots of good sized crappie. Fish are scattered in the standing timber 8 to 12 feet deep. Jigs and or minnows. Few anglers doing well the last few weeks.
Saugeye	Fair	2 to 8 lbs.	It has been a good year for saugeye fishing. Trolling crankbaits or dragging a nightcrawler.
Largemouth Bass	Poor	1/2 to 5 pounds	Bass are few and far between at this lake, but they are big. Best places are the rock piers, standing timber and around the West boat ramp. Bass are covered by an 18 inch minimum lenght 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. Do you want some more information on fishing in the Manhattan area? You can subscribe to the free Manhattan Fisheries Newsletter by clicking the link.

CLINTON RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/4/2018 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			35 inch minimum length limit and 5 daily creel limit went into effect January 1, 2016. This regulation was implemented to protect brood fish, so that the population could have a chance to improve.

Smallmouth Bass			18 inch minimum length limit went into effect Jan. 1, 2016. This regulation change makes smallmouth bass regulations the same as those for largemouth bass.

Wiper	Good	4-6 lbs	Fish have been chasing shad some evenings. Crankbaits cast into the melee have produced fish.
Blue Catfish	Slow	4-8 lbs	Using cut bait. Note: a 40 pounder reported this past week!
White bass	Good	0.5-2 lbs	Same techniques as for wiper.






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-Lawrence-Fishing-District
General Comments
Water level Oct. 4 was 2.1 feet below normal pool level, release rate = 7 cfs, water temp. = 70. Feeders should be emptying out of feed for this year. They will began operating again prior to Memorial Day 2019. Brush piles placed into Clinton August 11 and 12, 2008. GPS locations in degrees, minutes, seconds using Datum WGS 84: 1) N38 55.755 W095 24.146, 2) N38 56.4444 W095 24.466, 3) N38 56.283 W095 23.465, 4) N38 56.014 W095 23.096, 5) N38 55.036 W095 22.568, 6) N38 56.011 W095 23.085, 7) N38 55.073 W095 22.565, 8) N38 55.785 W095 22.235.

DOUGLAS COUNTY-LONE STAR LAKE - Last Updated: 10/4/2018 Print




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
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish	Fair	Up to 0.33 lb	Using pieces of worm under bobber, small spinners and jigs.
Channel catfish	Fair	0.5-6 lbs	Liver and stinkbait, and minnows have been producing some fish.
Largemouth bass	Fair	0.5-3 lbs	Casting crankbaits and jigs.
General Comments

DOUGLAS STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 10/4/2018 Print

General Comments
Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location



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
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 0.3 lbs	Using pieces of worm under bobber, jigs, and small spinners around rock piers.
Channel catfish	Fair	1-4 lbs	Using stinkbait, and livers.
Largemouth bass	Slow-Fair	0.5-2 lbs	Using crankbaits, and jigs.

GARDNER CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill	Good	Up to 8 inches	Livebait under a bobber fished near structure.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Up to 14 lb.	Channel catfish can be taken now on a variety of live or prepared baits. Fishing near the feeder and by docks is producing some fish.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 12 inches	Minnows and jigs near vegetation edges.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Up to 4 lbs	Finesse plastics, jigs, or spinner-baits target docks and deeper structure.
White Bass	Slow	14 to 17 inches	A good population of white bass exists in this lake. White bass can be taken in open water on shad imitation lures.
General Comments

GEARY STATE FISHING REPORT - Last Updated: 10/16/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	Fair/Good	near flooded brush/rock drop offs and channel ledges 5-10 ft deep on jigs, minnows, and spinners
Catfish	Good	near wind blown flats and flooded brush on cut bait, shrimp, and worms
Saugeye	Fair	near dam and rock points on jigs, worms, and crank baits
Black bass	Good	near rock and flooded brush on jigs, crank baits, and topwater lures
Bluegill	Good	on small jigs and worms in coves and near flooded brush
General Comments
This deep clear lake offers a diverse fishery. Best for 2018 should be for saugeye, crappie, and largemouth bass. WARNING..ZEBRA MUSSELS NOW PRESENT!!!

HERINGTON CITY LAKE (NEW) - Last Updated: 10/16/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Catfish	Good	near wind blown flats and flooded creeks on cut bait, shrimp, and worms
Crappie	Fair/Good	near points, flooded brush, and rock 5-10ft deep on jigs and minnows
Walleye	Fair	along the dam and edges of flats and points on jigs, worms, and crank baits
White Bass/Wipers	Good	along creeks, dam and points on spinners, jigs, crankbaits, and topwater lures
General Comments
This lake provides a diverse fishery, but best in 2018 should be crappie, wiper, and white bass.

HERINGTON CITY LAKE (OLD) - Last Updated: 10/16/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Catfish	Good	near wind blown flats, flooded areas, and creeks on cut bait, shrimp, and worms
Crappie	Fair/Good	near flooded brush and rock 5ft deep on jigs and minnows
Largemouth Bass	Poor
Bluegill	Fair	near flooded brush/rock 3-5ft deep on jigs and worms
White Bass	Fair	along creeks and dam on spinners, crank baits, and topwater lures
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: http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/algae_advisories.htm

HILLSDALE RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Walleye	Slow	Up to 9 lbs.	Some walleye are being caught off main lake points and flats. Early morning and shallow seems to be the best bite. Vertical jigging with worms and trolling with crankbaits are both producing some fish.
Crappie	Fair	Most fish are 8 to 11 inches and few up to 13 inches	Some crappie are being found shallower (6-10 feet of water) and are starting to enter their fall pattern. Both minnows and jigs are productive baits right now. Some crappie are being caught off the marina docks.
White Bass	Good	Up to 2 lbs.	Target white bass off wind blown points. Jigs and shad imitation lures are the best baits right now. Trolling crankbaits is producing some fish.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Up to 4 lbs.	Largemouth bass should be transitioning to deeper structure right now. Target bait fish to find the bass.
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 using prepared or live baits. Channel catfish are biting lakewide right now, but especially good in the upper arms where there is inflow.

General Comments
WATER LEVEL: As of October 12th the water level is 5.3 feet above 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: 8/31/2018 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	4 pages (lots of pics)	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.	Crappie can be caught by vertical jigging minnows over brush piles or standing timber. Some can be caught along rocky shore lines as well.
Bluegill	Fair	up to 0.5 lbs.	Bluegill can be caught near shoreline structure using chunks of worm or jigs.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 12.5 lbs.	Catfish can be caught from shore using cut bait, stink bait, or livers.
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. Some keeper Sauger are being caught from shore.
White Bass	Fair	up to 2.5 lbs.	There are some nice White Bass in this reservoir if anglers wish to pursue them. Cast a jig along the rocks or along the dam to target them.
General Comments
If you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at 785-246-4514 Recently, the Leavenworth Elite Bass Club received a small grant to install some artificial habitat structures into Banner Creek. They placed seven clusters of Mossback artificial trees at the following locations: N 39 27.113, W 095 46.355 N 39 26.547, W 095 46.648 N 39 27.034, W 095 46.448 N 39 27.230, W 095 46.448 N 39 27.015, W 095 46.440 N 39 26.946, W 095 47.041 N 39 26.946, W 095 47.140 And the fisheries biologist placed 30 Georgia cubes at the following spots: 3 @ N 39 27.560, W 095 46.227 5 between jetty and danger buoy @ N 39 27.305, W 095 46.636 3 @ N 39 27.480, W 095 46.224 3 @ N 39 27.450, W 095 46.222 3 @ N 39 27.533, W 095 46.130 3 @ N 39 27.188, W 095 46.355 3 @ N 39 26.870, W 095 46.638 5 surrounding jetty @ N 39 27.402, W 095 46.566 2 on north side of jetty @ N 39 27.054, W 095 46.338 Please leave all habitat at these locations. Do not drag these to your own secret locations.

JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER - MAKE-UP LAKE - Last Updated: 10/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Black Bass	Fair	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 dam and along the East bank are the best places for smallmouth.
Crappie	Slow to Fair	1/2 to 1 pound	Crappie numbers have been trending downwards the last few years due to poor spawning success. However, most of the fish are over 10-inches. There is a brushpile just south of the dock.
Channel Catfish	Fair	1/2 to 6 pounds	The lake supports a good channel catfish harvest rate.
Walleye	Fair	1 to 5 pounds	Walleye numbers have been improving due to good survival from recent stockings. Of the fish collected in the 2017 fall sampling, two out of three were over 15 inches. Walleye regulations are 2 a day and a 15 inch minimum length limit.
White Bass	Good	1/2 to 2 pounds	The lake has a very good white bass population with 58.5% of the fish collected last fall were over 12 inches. Fishing has been good.
Wipers	Fair to Good	Up to 12 pounds	Wiper sample numbers were at a 7 year high in 2017 with most of the fish from 15 to 20 inches. Crankbaits, large jigs or spoons.
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. Do you want some more information on fishing in the Manhattan area? You can subscribe to the free Manhattan Fisheries Newsletter by clicking the link.

JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER AUX. LAKE - Last Updated: 10/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Black Bass	Good	1 to 4 lbs	The 2018 sample documented that smallmouth bass numbers are down, but the size of fish is up with 58.8% of the fish seen this spring were over 14 inches. The lake is well known for the excellent smallmouth fishing along most of the rocky shoreline. The lake has a low level largemouth bass population dominated by smaller fish. The population is improving with the 2018 sample collecting the most fish in 15 years. The East bank and around the island are usually the best largemouth spots.
White Bass	Good	Up to 3 lbs	The lake has a great white bass population with most of the fish sampled last fall being over 12 inches.
Wiper	Fair	Up to 12 lbs	There are good numbers of wiper in the lake. Being caught trolling crank baits or jigging spoons below shad.
Walleye	Slow to Fair	Up to 5 lbs	Walleye numbers are below average and not many being caught recently. Walleye regulations are 2 a day and a 15-inch minimum length limit.
Crappie	Slow to Fair	Up to 1.5 lbs	Crappie numbers have been improving the last two years. There are some habitat cubes along the dock that may hold some fish this time of year.
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. 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.

LEAVENWORTH STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 8/31/2018 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	4 pages (Lots of pics)	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. The feeders are still empty and will likely be filled in the coming weeks.
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 under a bobber and fished in shallow coves.
Crappie	Slow to Fair	up to 1.25 lbs	The best bet for crappie would be to fish a jig and minnow near brush piles and rip rap or vertical jigging along steep drop offs.
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.
Wiper	Fair	up to 4.0 lbs	Wiper can be caught near points in the lake using baits that resemble shad. Schools can also be located by shad breaking the surface.
Walleye	Slow	Up to 3.25 lbs	Fish a jig and minnow along the dam.
General Comments
If you have information that you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at 785-246-4514. Construction on the spillway is underway resulting in an 8 ft. drawdown of the lake. More updates can be found here as available. 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: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Fair	1/2 to 11 lbs.	Channel catfish can be taken right now on a variety of baits lakewide.
Flathead Catfish	Fair	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.
Saugeye	Slow	Up to 3 lbs.	Jigs tipped with a nightcrawler fished near submerged roadbed.
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	Good	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: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Largemouth Bass	Fair	0.5-4 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	Good	Up to 16 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.
White Bass	Slow	14-17 inches	A good population of white bass exists in this lake and is not often targeted. White bass can be taken on shad imitation lures and white marabou jigs.
General Comments
The curly-leaf pondweed stand is gone for the year and there are currently no vegetation issues at the waterbody.

MILFORD RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/16/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Catfish	Fair	Blues up to 73lbs	along flooded flats on cut bait, worms, and shrimp LOOK FOR RECENTLY TAGGED BLUE CATS!!! New regulation for Blue Catfish in 2018...all between 25"-40" must be released...creel limit is still 5, but only 1 can be 40" or longer
Crappie	Fair		10ft deep suspended near points, flooded brush, and ledges on jigs and minnows
Walleye	Fair		scattered near flats, points, and ledges on jigs, worms, and crank baits 10-20ft deep 21" minimum length limit, 2/day creel limit.
White Bass/Wipers	Fair		along windy banks, humps, and points chasing shad, using jigs, crankbaits, and good topwater action New regulation for Wiper in 2018...creel limit is now 5/day
Smallmouth Bass	Fair		near gravel/rock points and banks on jigs, crank baits, and topwater lures
Largemouth Bass	Fair		near points and flooded brush/rock on jigs, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures
Outlet	Fair		catfish on cut bait, white bass and wipers on jigs
General Comments
*LOOK FOR RECENTLY TAGGED BLUE CATS!!!* *New regulation for Wiper in 2018...creel limit is now 5/day* *New regulation for Blue Catfish in 2018...all between 25"-40" must be released...creel limit is still 5, but only 1 can be 40" or longer* CLICK THIS LINK TO LEARN ABOUT THE MILFORD WALLEYE TAGGING STUDY!!! http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/KDWPT-Info/News/Weekly-News/3-26-15/WALLEYE-TAGGING-STUDY-AT-MILFORD-RESERVOIR Walley Tagging Survey Report From (PDF 63.20 kB) 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: http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/algae_advisories.htm WARNING! ZEBRA MUSSELS NOW IN RESERVOIR AND OUTLET! Sign up for the most recent Milford district fisheries newsletter today!

NEBO STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 8/31/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Fish Feeders			The smaller feeder is filled and operational. The larger feeder is lost to the lotus for the time being.
Perry District 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 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 under a bobber off of the fishing pier or the corners of the dam.
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 cloudy 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 785-246-4514.

OLATHE - LAKE OLATHE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill	Slow	Up to 8 inches	Nightcrawler under a bobber fished near shoreline structure.
Channel Catfish	Good	Up to 5 lbs.	Channel catfish are being taken on live and prepared baits. The bite is very good in the upper end where there is inflow with the recent rains.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 6 lb.	Target largemouth bass in deeper structure and drop-offs.
Saugeye	Slow	Up to 3 lbs.	Jigs tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the flat.
Wiper	Slow	Up to 11 lbs.	Jigs and shad imitation baits fished near mainlake points. Some nice sized wiper (14-19 inches) have been being taken on the north end of the reservoir.
White Crappie	Fair	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. Boats will not be allowed on Lake Olathe during weekdays till mid-June 2018 due to construction efforts and blasting. Boats will be allowed on evenings and weekends.

PAOLA CITY LAKE - LAKE MIOLA - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 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 fished near brushpiles.
Saugeye	Slow	Up to 22 inches	Saugeye can be found drifting or trolling mudflats using jigs tipped with nightcrawler or jigging spoons.
Wiper	Fair	Up to 24 inches	Use shad imitation baits fished near main lake points.
Bluegill and Redear Sunfish	Fair	Up to 10 inches	The bluegill and redear sunfish populations are in really good shape right now with many fish in the 7-9 inch length range. 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. New Brushpiles were added on 3/9/18. Many of the new brushpiles can also be accessed by casting from the shore. GPS Coordinate locations for 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

PERRY RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 8/31/2018 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	4 Pages (lots of pics)	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	Catfish can be caught up shallow along the rocks using cut shad, night crawlers, shrimp, or stink bait.
Sauger	Slow	up to 2.6 lbs.	There are good numbers in the reservoir but are difficult to target. Try trolling crankbaits along the dam or mudflats in early morning. Casting a jig or crankbait in areas under a light may produce some fish during the night.
Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	Fair Fair	up to 5.0 lbs. up to 5.0 lbs.	Recent Bass tournaments have landed some nice fish including a few of both species over 5 lbs and numerous over 4 and 3. There are some nice fish in the lake for folks to hook into.
White Bass	Fair	up to 1.5 lbs.	White Bass can be caught using any bait resembling a shad or even from crappie jigs. Try casting around rocks or look for schools of fish breaking up the balls of shad.
White Crappie	Slow to Fair	up to 1.5 lbs.	Crappie have begun to move up into some shallower locations. Target brush piles or brush locations in areas near creek or old river channels. Some success can also come dipping jigs next to trees in Slough Creek arm. Anglers have also been having success fishing at night under a light.
Blue Catfish	Fair	up to 25.0 lbs.	Anglers are catching a few Blue Cats using cut and whole shad along the river channels in the upper end of the reservoir. A few nice fish in the 35 inch length limit range can be taken, 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
As of August 31st, the current lake elevation is at 888.70 (2.8' below conservation pool) and staying steady with a release of 25 cfs. For current lake conditions click here and for the lake forecast click here. If you would like to place habitat in Perry Reservoir or contribute to the fishing report, please contact the Fish Biologist, Nick, at 785-246-4514 to obtain a permit. 39 Georgia Cube fish habitat structures were recently placed in the reservoir in the following locations: 5 cubes @ N 39.1563, W 095.4885 6 cubes @ N 39.1537, W 095.4931 3 cubes @ N 39.1516, W 095.4849 4 cubes @ N 39.1506, W 095.4825 3 cubes @ N 39.1292, W 095.4662 3 cubes @ N 39.1468, W 095.4707 3 cubes @ N 39.1313, W 095.4700 3 cubes @ N 39.1480, W 095.4809 (GPS plot doesn't agree with my memory, may not be in this exact spot) 3 cubes @ N 39.1352, W 095.4724 3 cubes @ N 39.1421, W 095.4774 3 cubes surrounding the jetty at the north ramp of Perry State Park This is a generic report and will be updated as information becomes available.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Black Crappie	Slow to Fair	1/3 to 1 lb.	Crappie numbers are below average and harvest rates will likely be down for the near future.
Bluegill	Good	6 to 10 inches	The lake has a nice bluegill population. It has been a good year for bluegill fishing.
Channel Catfish	Fair	1/2 to 6 lbs.	The lake contains good numbers of catfish for a small lake. Where the stream enters the lake is a good spot, especially after a rain.
Largemouth Bass	Good	1/2 to 4 lbs.	The lake has a great largemouth bass population. Bass 13 to 18 inches long are protected.
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: 10/9/2018 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. Been a good year for bluegill fishing.
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 been below average the last few years. There was some improvements in numbers of crappie in 2017 but most of the fish are still below 10-inches.
Largemouth Bass	Good	1/2 to 5 pounds	The 2018 annual sampling effort documented that the population has come down from the very high abundance seen the last few years, but the lake can still be characterized as having lots of bass. Of the fish collected this spring, 71.4% were over 12 inches. The lake is known for being a good spot for catch and release bass fishing.
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. Do you want some more information on fishing in the Manhattan area? You can subscribe to the free Manhattan Fisheries Newsletter by clicking the link.

POTTAWATOMIE STATE FISHING LAKE NO. 2 - Last Updated: 10/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Black Bass	Fair	1/2 to 4 pounds	The lake has good numbers of largemouth bass and a low level smallmouth bass population. The 2018 sample collected the most largemouth bass in 5 years and 32% were over 15 inches. The 2018 sample also documented improved numbers of smallmouth bass with most of the fish being from 11 to 15 inches long. Bass in this lake can be tough to catch because they have all seen a lot of lures.
Channel Catfish	Good	3/4 to 3 pounds	The lake is in the Urban Stocking Program and is frequently stocked with 12 to 18 inch channel catfish. The fifth stocking of the year was on September 26th of 550 pounds of channel catfish. So far this year the lake has been stocked with 3,810 channel catfish. Fishing has been good. Channel catfish creel at the lake is 5 a day.
Crappie	Fair	1/4 to 1 pound	The lake does not support a robust crappie population but abundance has improved the last two years. In addition, there is a good size structure with the majority of the fish seen in the fall samples were over 10 inches. There are some artificial habitat structures just out from each dock that can be good.
General Comments
Pott. # 2 is noted for family outings, scenic views, catch and release bass fishing, harvest of small crappie and channel catfish. Do you want some more information on fishing in the Manhattan area? You can subscribe to the free Manhattan Fisheries Newsletter by clicking the link.

ROCKY FORD FISHING AREA - Last Updated: 10/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Catfish	Fair	1 to 20+ pounds	Fishing for flathead, channel and blue catfish has all been pretty good this summer. 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 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 (785) 539-7941 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	Fishing for whites and wiper has been hit or miss the last few weeks with the changes in release rates. To distinguish between the two species you can look at the tooth patch on the tongue. Wiper has two tooth patches. White bass has only one tooth patch. The fishing regs has good pictures for id. Starting in 2018: Wiper daily creel is 5 per day.
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	Has been decent saugeye fishing lately. Best baits have been brightly colored jigs or crankbaits in the current. Starting in 2017, the statewide 15-inch minimum length limit for walleye, sauger and saugeye does not apply to rivers, streams and tailwaters.
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 Zebra mussels were found in Tuttle Creek on August 16, 2017. This makes the Reservoir, River Pond and Rocky Ford as designated 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. Do you want some more information on fishing in the Manhattan area? You can subscribe to the free Manhattan Fisheries Newsletter by clicking the link.

SABETHA PONY CREEK - Last Updated: 8/31/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Perry District 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 newsletter and fill in the blanks.
Black Crappie	Good	up to 1.5 lbs	Crappie can be caught over brush piles or near standing timber using a small jig tipped with a plastic lure or minnow.
Bluegill	Fair to Good	up to 0.5 lbs	Bluegill may be caught using a chunk of worm under a bobber in shallow coves.
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 should be along shallow flats and off of points.
Wiper	Great	up to 7.5 lbs.	Wipers can be caught by fishing along points in the lake using any lure that resembles a shad.
General Comments
Attention anglers, If you fish this water body and would like to contribute your knowledge to the fishing report give me a call at 785-246-4514. Thanks! This is a generic report and will be updated as information becomes available.

SHAWNEE CO. LAKE SHAWNEE - Last Updated: 10/4/2018 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	Using worms under bobber, small spinners, and jigs around cover.
Channel catfish	Fair	1-5 lbs	Stinkbait, liver, and minnows.
Largemouth bass	Fair	0.5-3 lbs	Using crankbaits and jigs.
Brushpiles were constructed and placed at 5 locations in April 2010. Locations were marked with GPS using datum NAD83: 1) N38.99217 W095.63188, 2) N39.00736 W095.62968, 3) N38.99254, W095.63210, 4) N38.99619 W095.632202, 5) N39.01043, W095.63014. November 07 locations were marked with GPS using datum WGS84 in decimel degrees: 1) N39.00740 W095.62978; 2) N39.00819 W095.63046; 3) N39.00810 W095.63055; 4) N39.00806 W095.63043; 5) N39.00638 W095.62261; 6) N39.00247 W095.62495; 7) N38.99622 W095.63205; 8) 39.00274 W095.63202.

SHAWNEE MISSION PARK LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Bluegill	Good	Up to 8 inches	Livebait under a bobber fished near shoreline structure.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 15 inches	Jigs near structure are producing the best.
Channel Catfish	Good	Up to 6 lbs.	Some being caught lake wide using dough-bait and cut bait.
Wiper	Fair	Up to 9 lbs.	Live bait and shad imitation baits along the dam are producing the best.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 4 lbs.	Finesse plastics are working best right now fished near deeper structure.
Trout		Catchable	The trout season is over. Look for them to be stocked again next winter.
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: 10/9/2018 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method, and Location

Largemouth Bass

Fair to Good

1/2 to 5 pounds

The lake has a very good population of largemouth bass and the 2018 sample produced the second highest abundance seen in the last decade. In addition, there is a great size structure with 41% of the fish were over 15 inches.

The lake has been stocked several times with smallmouth bass but so far they have not flourished and few are caught by anglers.

Crappie

Fair

1/2 to 1 pound

Crappie size structure has been improving with the 2017 sample having the most fish over 10 inches in seven years. Brush pile coordinates below.

Channel Catfish

Good

1/2 - 4 pounds

The lake is in the Urban Stocking Program and is frequently stocked with 12 to 18 inch catfish which leads to good catch rates of fish in this range. The fourth stocking of the year was on September 12th of 780 pounds of catfish. So far this year the lake has been stocked with 7,430 channel catfish. Channel catfish daily limit is 5. The two fish feeders have been vandalized and are not in operation.

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.

Do you want some more information on fishing in the Manhattan area? You can subscribe to the free Manhattan Fisheries Newsletter by clicking the link.

Brush piles at GPS coordinates

N 39.200640°	W -95.805438°
N 39.200351°	W -95.801881°
N 39.201053°	W -95.801924°

TUTTLE CREEK - Last Updated: 10/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair	1/2 to 2 pounds	The crappie population has been improving the last few years with sampling last fall producing the most fish over 10 inches in five years. In addition, the future looks bright as the 2017 year-class was the largest recorded in 25 years.
White Bass	Slow	1/2 to 2 pounds	White bass numbers continue to be low due to poor spawning success the last five years.
Catfish	Fair	Up to 40 pounds	The lake and the connected river system maintains a good channel catfish population and is one of the best places around to catch channel over 8 pounds. The blue catfish population is finally starting to get established. The vast majority of the fish are below 28 inches and not sexually mature yet. To protect these fish until they have a chance to spawn, a new 35-inch minimum length limit is in place starting January 1, 2018. The plan is to only have a length limit on blue catfish for a few years until the population can sustain itself through natural reproduction. Please check any blue catfish for a yellow tag in its back as we have been tagging some 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 (785) 539-7941 or ely.sprenkle@ks.gov A big THANK YOU to all who report their catch!
Largemouth Bass	Slow	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.
Saugeye	Fair	Up to 6 pounds	Record numbers of young saugeye sampled in the lake in 2017. The river pond has been steady for saugeye fishing, with anglers casting jigs or crankbaits. Starting in 2017, the minimum length limit does not apply to saugeye in the River Pond or at the "tubes". The 15-inch minimum length limit is still in effect in the Reservoir.
General Comments
Zebra mussels were found in Tuttle Creek on August 16, 2017. This makes the Reservoir, River Pond and Rocky Ford as designated 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. You can check current water conditions HERE Do you want some more information on fishing in the Manhattan area? You can subscribe to the free Manhattan Fisheries Newsletter by clicking the link.

WASHINGTON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 10/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 1/3 lb	The lake has a decent bluegill population. Just North of the boat ramp is usually a good spot for bigger gills.
Channel catfish	Good	Up to 7 lbs	Good numbers of channel cats are available. The North bank is a popular spot to fish for cats.
Crappie	Fair	Up to 1lb	The lake has lots of crappie, but not too many over 10 inches. Along the dam or East bank tends to be the best spots.
Largemouth bass	Fair	Up to 4 lbs	The largemouth bass population has been really improving the last few years and the 2018 sample recorded the highest abundance in over a decade. Most of the population is still below 15 inches but there are a few big fish around.
Saugeye	Slow to Fair	Up to 3 lbs	The lake has fair numbers of saugeye over the 18 inch minimium length limit.
General Comments
Do you want some more information on fishing in the Manhattan area? You can subscribe to the free Manhattan Fisheries Newsletter by clicking the link.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Black Crappie	Fair	Up to 12 inches	Some crappie are being caught on minnows or jigs suspended near structure. Evening and night bite has picked up.
Bluegill	Good	Up to 8 inches	Worms and wax worms under a bobber fished in the shallows.
Channel Catfish	Slow	Up to 10 lbs.	Some channel catfish are being taken on dough-bait or liver. The majority of fish are being caught at night right now.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Up to 5 lbs.	Finesse plastics, spinner-baits, and crankbaits fished near deeper structure or near vegetation edges are producing fish.
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Up to 2 lbs.	Finesse plastics and crankbaits fished near rocky habitats.
Wiper/White Bass	Slow	Up to 6 lbs.	Trolling shad imitation baits fished near mainlake points.
Walleye	Slow	Up to 2 lbs.	Drifting across mud flats and points, minnows are producing best right now.
Rainbow Trout		Catchable	Trout season is over. Look for them to be stocked again next winter.
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: 8/31/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	No report	Up to 12 inches	Fish any deeper brush or vegetation you can find from 6 to 15 feet of water. Use minnows, roadrunners, or jigs.
Channel catfish	No report	Up to 5 lbs	Try prepared stink bait, cut bait or liver under a bobber or on the bottom. Also try drifting night crawlers off of points and flats.
Largemouth bass	No report	Up to 4 lbs	Typical early summer patterns. Try crankbaits, jigs, grubs and topwater baits.
Bluegill	No report	Up to 8 inches	Try small jigs, crickets or worms under a bobber around brush and rock piles.
Walleye	No report	Up to 4 lbs	Walleye should be on the points & flats. Try jig & minnow or worms

Most species remain in typical summer time patterns. Walleye should be on the points and flats. Water temperature in the 80's.

If you would like to contribute a fishing report, you may also call the Dodge City Regional office at 620-227-8609.

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!

A Dodge City District newsletter is available. Information about fishing and fisheries management throughout southwest 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. http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Dodge-City-Fishing-District

CLARK STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 10/4/2018 Print

Work to repair the Clark County State Fishing Lake spillway will begin in December and will entail drawing the reservoir down 20 feet. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	Fair	Up to 15 inches	Fish any brush or vegetation you can find in 6 - 20 feet of water. Use minnows, roadrunners, or jigs.
Channel catfish	Good	Up to 5 lbs	Try prepared stink bait, cut bait or liver under a bobber or on the bottom. Also try drifting night crawlers.
Largemouth bass	Good	Up to 6 lbs	Largemouth are in typical summer patterns and can be taken on topwater lures early and late and crankbaits & plastic baits during the day.
Bluegill	Good	Up to 8 inches	Try small jigs, or crickets & worms under a bobber around brush and rock piles.
Walleye	Good	Up to 25 inches	Walleye are on the breaks around points and flats. Try slab spoons or wobble jigs tipped with worms, minnows or leaches. Also try trolling small minnow type crank baits.
White bass	Good	Up to 1.5 lbs	Try small white jigs off windblown points as well as crank baits,small jigs and spinners in areas the wind is blowing into the shore.

Lake full and there are huge schools of 3 inch gizzard shad swimming around. Walleye are setting up on the points and flats. The largemouth can be caught on topwater lures early and late and plastic baits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits during the day. Water temperature in the 80's.

If you would like to contribute a fishing report, you may also call the Dodge City Regional office at 620-227-8609.

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!

DODGE CITY LAKE CHARLES - Last Updated: 3/16/2017 Print

HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 8/31/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	Fair	Up to 10 inches	Fish any brush or vegetation you can find especially in the deeper creek channels or around a drop-offs. Use minnows, small slab spoons, or jigs.
Channel catfish	Good	Up to 11 lbs	Try prepared stink bait, cut bait or liver under a bobber or on the bottom. Also try drifting night crawlers.
Largemouth bass	Slow	Up to 4 lbs	Try crankbaits, plastics and topwater luures.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 8 inches	Try small jigs & worms under a bobber around riprap.
Walleye	Fair	Up to 4 lbs	Walleye should be on the breaks around points and flats. Try slab spoons or wobble jigs tipped with worms, minnows or leaches. Also try trolling small minnow type crank baits.

Most species remain in typical summer time patterns. Walleye should be on the points and flats. Water temperature in the 80's.

If you would like to contribute a fishing report, you may also call the Dodge City Regional office at 620-227-8609.

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: 8/31/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	No report	Up to 12 inches	Fish any brush or vegetation you can find in 1 - 6 feet of water. Use minnows, roadrunners, or jigs.
Channel catfish	No report	Up to 5 lbs	Try prepared stink bait, cut bait or liver under a bobber or on the bottom. Also try drifting night crawlers.
Largemouth bass	No report	Up to 5 lbs	Try spinnerbaits, topwaters and soft plastic around wood or vegetation.
Flathead catfish	No Report	Up to 50 lbs	Live bait fished around cover.

Most species remain in typical summer time patterns. Largemouth can be caught on topwaters early and late and plastics, jigs and spinnnerbaits during the day. Water temperature n the 80's.

If you would like to contribute a fishing report, you may also call the Dodge City Regional office at 620-227-8609.

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: 8/31/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie	No report	Up to 12 inches	Fish any brush or vegetation you can find off of the piers. Use minnows, small slab spoons, or jigs.
Channel catfish	No report	Up to 5 lbs	Try prepared stink bait, cut bait or liver under a bobber or on the bottom. Also try drifting night crawlers.
Largemouth bass	No report	Up to 4 lbs	Try spinnerbaits, topwaters, crankbaits and soft plastic around wood and vegetation.
Bluegill	No report	Up to 9 inches	Try small jigs & worms under a bobber around brush and rocks.
Wiper	No report		Try jigs and slim minnow baits where the wind is blowing into the shore.
Walleye	No report	Up to 6 lbs	Try drifting jig and night crawlers across the points.

Most species remain in typical summer time patterns. Walleye should be on the points and flats. Water temperature in the 80's.

If you would like to contribute a fishing report, you may also call the Dodge City Regional office at 620-227-8609.

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!

SCOTT STATE LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

General Comments
Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Fair	Most in the 13 to 18 inch range	Fishing prepared bait or live sunfish lake-wide has been productive.
Crappie	Slow	Up to 13 inches	No reports. Fishing minnows around the fish attractors or drifting jigs or minnows in open water of the main lake is usually productive.
Largemouth Bass	Fair/Good	Up to 5.5 lbs.	Soft plastics and swimbaits fished around brushpiles, laydown trees, and along rocky shorelines.
Sunfish	Fair/Good	Up to 8 inches	Worms under a bobber around brush, laydown trees, vegetation, and rock in deeper water.
Saugeye/Walleye	Fair	Up to 7 lbs.	Casting crank baits or swim baits along rip-rapped shorelines, over points and drop-offs.
Release all walleye/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

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MCPHERSON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 9/17/2018 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method & Location

Channel catfish

Fair

1 - 5 lbs.

Fair. Catfishing has been slow recently. Try dip-bait on sponges, worms, and/or liver near the shore during the evenings or deeper during the day.

Crappie

Fair

8-13"

Fair. Few reports of crappie being caught near the bank and on brush piles. Small chartreuse and pink jigs have been working well. The bite has slowed but should pick up as the water temps decrease a bit.

Largemouth bass

Fair

Up to 6 lb.

Fair. Slow, but a few large bass have been caught and several smaller fish are active. The topwater bite is fair in the mornings and evenings. Try darker colored soft plastics in the brush and vegetation. Try vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits on windy days. With warm water temps, bass aren't as shallow during the day. Try offshore flats and creek channels with finesse tactics on the bottom (shaky-head worm, jig).

Saugeye

Poor

15-26"

Poor. Only a few Saugeye have been reported. Try dragging chartreuse, white, or pink jigs tipped with an earthworm around points. Small, deep-running crankbaits should produce as well. Fish slow and on the bottom towards evening and at night. Remember) The minimum length limit has changed from 18" to 21" and only 2 fish can be kept per day.

General Comments

Water temperature: 78 degrees

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ANTHONY CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 9/21/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel catfish	Fair	up to 2lbs	Channel Catfish are biting on cut bait and prepared baits.
Crappie	Poor to fair	Up to 13"	Crappie fishing should pick up as the water begins to cool. A small tube jig or minnow under a bobber is a good bet. Morning and evening hours are best.
General Comments

BLACK KETTLE STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 5/3/2017 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 lakewide.
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: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Fishing Newsletter			We have created a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that want it. This newsletter is for fishing information for the El Dorado District (Sumner, Cowley, Butler, Chase, & Marion counties) only. To subscribe, click HERE .
			The KDWPT Fisheries Division is producing walleye exceeding 8-inches for stocking in Kansas walleye waters. Walleye enter the 3 Phase rearing program as tiny fry and leave the hatchery at over 8-inches in roughly 180 days. Click HERE to watch the video.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 12 lbs	Creel limit 2/day Length Limit 15-inches Worms during times of inflows and prepared baits in the main lake.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 20 inch	Spinnerbaits fished at a medium speed in water 3 to 5 deep and along near shore structure. Plastic worms and larger creature type plastics are producing fish. Buzzbaits early and late in the day are providing some action.
Crappie			The majority of the crappie in the lake are small and the crappie population density needs to be reduced. Take those smaller crappie home (as long as you don't exceed the 50/day creel limit!) as they won't get much bigger in Butler if you throw them back. Overpopulation of the crappie has created slow growth rates so don't feel bad about taking home a nice bucket of smallish crappie...you'll be doing the lake a favor!
Bluegill	Fair	up to 6 inch	Small piece of worm or small jig under a float next to rocky or woody cover.
General Comments
Lake level is at normal pool.

CHASE STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 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	Fair to Good	up to 5 lbs	Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit. Prepared baits and worms are producing fish. Larger fish are being caught on fresh cut bait.
New Video on Kansas Walleye Stocking			The KDWPT Fisheries Division is producing walleye exceeding 8-inches for stocking in Kansas walleye waters. Walleye enter the 3 Phase rearing program as tiny fry and leave the hatchery at over 8-inches in roughly 180 days. Click HERE to watch the video.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 16 inch	There is a 13 to 18 inch slot limit on Largemouth Bass in effect at the lake. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits along the shorelines. Plastic baits in the coontail beds.
Saugeye	Fair	up to 18 inch	Crankbaits or curly tailed grubs on points and windy shorelines.
Spotted Bass	Good	up to 14 inch	Smaller plastics or crankbaits along the piers and dam
Bluegill	Fair to Good	up to 7 inch	Small live bait offerings under a small float close to cover or weed beds.
White Crappie	Fair	up to 14 inch	Jigs or minnows in water 8 to 12 feet deep off the south shore points and along the dam. Crappie numbers aren't very good this year, but sizes are very nice.
General Comments
Recent rains have increased the water level at the lake. The boat ramp and loading dock are back to near normal conditions.

CHENEY RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/10/2018 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!!! Zebra mussel numbers have decreased at Cheney; however, anglers and boaters should still use caution to avoid moving adults and veligers from the lake. Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
White Bass and Wiper	Good	Up to 24"	Look for Wipers and White Bass on points, humps and dropoffs.
Walleye	Fair	Up to 28"	Points and submerged humps are good places to start looking. Shallow flats can be surprisingly good at times too.
Crappie	Poor	Up to 15"	Look for crappie in summer locations. They can be caught if you can locate them.
Blue Catfish	Fair	Up to 15 lb	Try live or cut shad near the old river channel and adjacent flats.
Channel Catfish	Good	Up to 10 lb	Channel catfish have been biting on cut bait and prepared baits. Try near creek inlets and the river mouth after rains.
White Perch	Good		There are many catchable-size white perch (10+") in the lake. 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
Fishing was good until the recent rains. It may take several days for things to straighten out and new patterns to develop with the high water. The lake elevation was 4.7 feet above conservation pool and rising at 12:00 pm on 10/10/2018. Most boat ramps will be difficult to use.

COUNCIL GROVE CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/16/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location

Zebra Mussel		Zebra mussels have been discovered in Council Grove City Lake. Click HERE for more information.
New Video Underwater in Kansas: An Angler's Dream		Large natural concentrations of black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill with channel catfish and walleye captured on video in a Kansas reservoir. See the video at https://youtu.be/2GMXXdcsj3g .
Bluegill	Fair	near gravel banks and flooded vegetation on small jigs and worms
Crappie	Fair/Good	10 ft deep near ledges on jigs and minnows
Channel catfish	Good	near windy flats and flooded brush on cut bait and worms
Black bass	Fair/Good	on jigs, topwater lures, and crankbaits 5 deep near docks, points, and flooded brush
Walleye	Fair	along dam and deeper points/banks on jigs, worms, and crankbaits
White bass	Fair	along creek, dam, and points on spinners and jigs, some topwater activity
General Comments
The City of Council Grove requires Aquatic Nuisance Species certification of anglers and boaters at Council Grove City Lake. Go to ANS Certification to obtain the certificate. You must have this certificate in your possession while fishing and/or boating at Council Grove City Lake.

COUNCIL GROVE RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/16/2018 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.
New Video Underwater in Kansas: An Angler's Dream		Large natural concentrations of black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill with channel catfish and walleye captured on video in a Kansas reservoir. See the video at https://youtu.be/2GMXXdcsj3g .
Channel Catfish	Good	near wind blown flats, flooded brush, and creeks on cut bait and worms
Saugeye	Fair	near gravel/rock points and flooded brush on jigs, worms, and crankbaits 5-10ft deep
White Bass	Fair	in creeks, along deeper rock points and ledges on spinners and jigs, some topwater action
Wiper	Fair	a few in with white bass
White Crappie	Fair	5-10 ft deep on minnows and jigs near points, flooded brush, and ledges Creel limit 20/day
General Comments
5.48 feet high, releasing 1329 cfs Outlet fishing is good for catfish Click HERE for water level information.

COWLEY STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill	Fair	up to 8 inch	Small live bait rigs next to brush, rock, or cover.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 8 lbs	15-inch minimum length limit 5/day creel limit Worms or dough bait off the piers and in the coves.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 16 inch	Crankbaits and spinnerbaits fished near cover. Also larger plastic baits along the rocky south shoreline, especially near woody cover.
Redear Sunfish	Fair	up to 7 inch	Live bait fished in areas with a rocky bottom in 5 to 8 feet of water.
New Video on Kansas Walleye Stocking			The KDWPT Fisheries Division is producing walleye exceeding 8-inches for stocking in Kansas walleye waters. Walleye enter the 3 Phase rearing program as tiny fry and leave the hatchery at over 8-inches in roughly 180 days. Click HERE to watch the video.
General Comments

EL DORADO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 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!!
New Video on Kansas Walleye Stocking			The KDWPT Fisheries Division is producing walleye exceeding 8-inches for stocking in Kansas walleye waters. Walleye enter the 3 Phase rearing program as tiny fry and leave the hatchery at over 8-inches in roughly 180 days. Click HERE to watch the video.
Few recent reports available this week with all the rain and high water.
Blue catfish	Fair	Up to 36 inches	Creeks and areas with inflow will be a good bet using live or fresh cut bait. 25 inch to 35 inch protective slot limit on blue catfish. Daily creel limit is 5 per day with no more than 2 35 inches and longer. Take time to properly identify your catfish catch. Click HERE for information on how to properly identify your catch.
Wiper	Good	18 to 23 inch	Watch for surface feeding activity in the evenings and use shad imitating lures such as jig and plastics, spoons, crankbaits, or inline spinners. 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.
White bass	Fair	up to 14 inches	Same as wiper report 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.
White Perch	Slow	up to 12 inch	Few reports available this week for white perch. Look along breaks or on humps using small jigs, spoons, or spinners. Click HERE for info on properly identifying white perch.
White crappie	Good	up to 15+ inch	20/day creel limit effective January 1, 2018. Crappie are being found 12 to 15 deep near timber or on brushpiles on jigs or minnows.
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 25 inch	Drifting fresh shad on the flats is a good tactic this time of year. Liver and stink baits fished on the bottom on windy points or shorelines is also producing.
Walleye	Fair	up to 28 inch	THE WALLEYE LENGTH LIMIT IS 21-INCHES WITH A 2/DAY CREEL LIMIT. Medium sized crank baits (#7 and #9) trolled along breaks, windy flats, and old roads have been catching walleye. Vertically fishing slab spoons near old roads or ledges also producing.
General Comments
*New crappie creel limit of 20/day effective January 1, 2018.* 4.7 feet high, releasing 4167 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.

HARVEY COUNTY EAST LAKE - Last Updated: 9/21/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Good	1-4lbs	Channel Catfish have been hitting on cut bait and prepared baits.
Crappie	Poor to Fair	up to 13 inches	Crappie fishing should pick up when the water begins to cool. Morning and evening are your best bets.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 5 lbs	Try along any of the fishing jetties or the face of the dam.
Saugeye	Poor	up to 4 lbs	Try fishing on rocky points or along the dam.
Bluegill	Fair	up to 8 inches	Try a small piece of worm fished along the rock jetties or along the dam.
General Comments

KINGMAN STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 9/21/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel catfish	Fair	10" to 7 lb.	Try cutbait. Shad works best, but bluegill works well too. Prepared baits work well in the summer too.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 5lbs	Try a spinnerbait or lipless crankbait near vegetation or a jig or Texas rigged worm near shallow brush.
Northern Pike	Fair	Up to 35"	The pike are likely congregated near the spring to avoid the summer temperatures.
Bluegill	Poor	Up to 7"	Use worms under a bobber near structure, or a small spinning lure. Few quality-sized Bluegill are present.
General Comments

MARION COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Good	up to 4 lbs	Worms, stinkbaits, and cut bait fished on windy shallow areas.
White Crappie	Slow	up to 12 inch	New 20/day creel limit effective January 1, 2018 Jigs and minnows on brush in 8 to 12 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	up to 16 inch	13 inch to 18 inch slot limit effective January 1, 2018 Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or plastics fished near cover.
Saugeye	Fair	Up to 19 inch	Curly tailed grubs fished on windy points
Bluegill	Fair	up to 8 inch	Worm and bobber or small jigs near brush or near docks
White Bass	Good	up to 15 inch	Early morning and late evening on topwater baits and spoons when the fish are hitting shad on the surface.
Wiper	Good	up to 21 inch	Same as white bass
General Comments
*New crappie creel limit of 20/day effective January 1, 2018.* New largemouth bass 13 inch to 18 inch slot length limit effective January 1, 2018. 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: 10/12/2018 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!
New Video on Kansas Walleye Stocking			The KDWPT Fisheries Division is producing walleye exceeding 8-inches for stocking in Kansas walleye waters. Walleye enter the 3 Phase rearing program as tiny fry and leave the hatchery at over 8-inches in roughly 180 days. Click HERE to watch the video.

Channel Cat	Fair to Good	up to 26 inches	Fresh cut bait, worms or stink bait along windy shorelines and areas with inflow.
White Crappie			20/day creel limit effective January 1, 2018. Not many recent reports this week.
Walleye	Fair	up up to 24 inches	Trolling crankbaits in water 6 to 9 feet deep.
White Bass	Fair to Good	up to 15 inch	Same as wiper report
Wiper	Fair to Good	up to 24 inch	Casting or trolling shad imitating baits in areas with surface feeding activity early and late in the day.
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'
General Comments
*New crappie creel limit of 20/day effective January 1, 2018.* 1.5 feet below pool, releasing 11 CFS

SEDGWICK CO. - LAKE AFTON - Last Updated: 9/21/2018 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	Up to 8"	Use a small hook with a small piece of worm, or a small spinning lure. Remember that white perch may not be possessed or transported alive.
Channel Catfish	Good	1-3 lbs, up to 20"	Use prepared or cut baits for best results.
Crappie	Fair to Poor	Up to 12 inches	Evening and mornings are best.
Bluegill	Fair	up to 8 inches	Try a small piece of worm under a bobber.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 20 inches	Try near any hard structure such as rock or brush.
General Comments

WELLINGTON CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good	up to 9 lbs	Worms, prepared baits or cut bait on windblown points.
Wiper	Fair to Good	up to 22 inches	Look for wipers along windblown points or shorelines. Also early and late in the day watch for surface feeding activity as the wipers chase shad.
Crappie	Fair	up to 12 inches	On ledges or near timber 9 to 12 feet deep on jigs or jig and minnow.
Saugeye	Fair	up to 23 inch	Along the dam with crankbaits or stick baits. Also fluke style plastic baits on windy points.
General Comments

WELLINGTON HARGIS CREEK - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Good	up to 3 lbs	Worms and stink baits on wind blown shorelines.
Crappie	Fair	up to 9 inches	Standing timber in 4 to 8 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 16 inch	Crank baits or spinnerbaits fished near cover.
Saugeye	Fair	up to 19 inch	Crank baits or jigs along the dam and windy shorelines.
General Comments

WICHITA - URBAN FISHING REPORT - Last Updated: 9/21/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location

Channel Catfish	Good	Up to 2-3 lbs	Chisholm North, Watson, Emery Park, the KDOT lakes and the other lakes in the Wichita Metro Area are excellent for Catfish.
Crappie	Poor to Fair	Up to 12"	Crappie fishing should pick up when the water starts to cool. Crappie are best at the KDOT Lakes, Watson Park, K-96 lake and Chisholm North lake.
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	Up to 18"	Bass fishing in Wichita can be found at any of the lakes, but the best reports come from the KDOT lakes, Emery Park, Blackbird and Sunflower Ponds and Chisholm north lake.
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 1 lb	Try a small piece of worm under a bobber. Bluegill are present in every lake in the area, but are especially good at Blackbird and Sunflower ponds, Chisholm North lake, and Emery Park Pond.
General Comments

WINFIELD CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/12/2018 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!!!
New Video on Kansas Walleye Stocking			The KDWPT Fisheries Division is producing walleye exceeding 8-inches for stocking in Kansas walleye waters. Walleye enter the 3 Phase rearing program as tiny fry and leave the hatchery at over 8-inches in roughly 180 days. Click HERE to watch the video.
Crappie	Good	up to 13 inches	Jigs and minnows in the coves near timber 8 to 12 feet deep.
Channel catfish	Good	up to 4 lbs	Wind swept shorelines on cut bait or prepared baits.
Black bass	Fair	varied	Look for largemouth in the coves and along the rocky southern shorelines for smallmouth. Crankbaits fished at a slow to medium speed is producing. Largemouth are in the coves in the deeper vegetation.
White bass
Wiper	Fair to Good	up to 20 inch	Look for white bass and wipers along windblown shorelines or on points. Casting jig and plastic or lipless crankbaits are good choices. Also watch for surface feeding activity as white bass and wipers chase shad to the surface.
Walleye	Fair	up to 23 inch	Walleye minimum length limit 18 inches. Trolling crankbaits on windy shorelines and drifting jig and crawler combo on the north side flats.
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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BIG HILL RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 9/27/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	Good	6-12"	Crappie fishing remains steady. Look for crappie to be around the docks and other brushy structure around the shoreline. Minnows have been working best. Fishing should continue to improve in the coming weeks.
Channel Catfish	Good	16-24"	Catfishing has improved. Look for fish in the evenings on the upper end of the reservoir. Shad sides and chicken livers have been working best. Look for shore angling to continue to improve as water temps cool.
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass	Good	12-18"	Largemouth bass fishing has improved. Look for fish to be near shoreline vegetation in the early morning and evenings. Fishing should continue to improve as water temps cool.
Bluegill and Redears	Fair	6-8"	Look for bluegill and redear just outside of the weed line. A worm under a bobber has been 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.

LYON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Bluegill and Redear	good	73% 4-7" 24% 7-9" 3% 9-11"	Use worm, very small jig, or small silver spoon on deep brush piles or ends of rock jetties.
Channel Catfish	good	40% 11-16" 57% 16-24" 0% 24-28" 3% 28-36"	Use worms, shad sides, or stink bait on channel breaks or windy shoreline. Cool front will slow down feeding activity.
Largemouth Bass	good	48% 8-12" 39% 12-15" 13% 15-20" <1% 20"	Use spinners, jigs, or plastic worms around rock jetties, brush piles, and drop offs.
Crappie	good	3% 5-8" 24% 8-10" 62% 10-12" 12% 12-15"	Use small jigs or minnows around brush piles and channel breaks. Fish are more active on warmer days, but cold fronts reduce feeding for at least 24 hours.
General Comments
Size structure listed for largemouth bass is from May 2018 electrofishing. The size structures listed for crappie, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish are from October 2017 test netting. To view a map of brush pile locations, copy this file into Google Earth and zoom into the lake. LYSL brush piles 17 (OCTET-STREAM 2.07 kB) For more information about the Fall River/Toronto Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters.

BONE CREEK RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill / Redear	Good	6-10"	Try worms, small jigs and spinners fished slowly on the bottom along weed-lines. Quality sized bluegill and redear sunfish can be found at Bone Creek. Coves and submerged trees coupled with abundant aquatic vegetation will congregate panfish; fish with a bobber and worms, or fly rod with a floating fly or popper.
Channel catfish	Fair	15-24"	Try shad sides, liver, prepared baits or worms. Quality sized fish are present at Bone Creek; fishing prepared baits, stink bait, and live bait in the shallows during the morning or evening hours may yield fish greater than 24 inches.
Crappie	Good	8-14"	Try minnows or small jigs fished near trees and structure in 10 to 15 feet of water where they'll be suspending in their summertime patterns. Bone Creek supports a good crappie population with some quality-size fish available.
Largemouth bass	Fair	12-16"	Try jigs, plastic baits, stick baits or spinners around structure or aquatic vegetation. Clear water conditions often keep fish in deeper water near structure.
General Comments
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. The following link will provide you with information on Aquatic Nuisance Species in Kansas: https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species

BOURBON COUNTY CEDAR CREEK - Last Updated: 9/15/2018 Print

species	ratings	size	baits, methods, locations
Crappie	GOOD	8 to 12 inches	Try jigs, minnows. Recent sampling show a nice population of 10 - 14 inch crappie
Channel catfish	Slow	varies,	Recent rains have brought the lake level up to the overflow level. 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,
Largemouth bass	GOOD	most bass in the 13 to 16 inch range	some bass are suspended in deeper water, some are in the feeder creeks and shallow water, with jigs, spinners, gizzard shad plugs, most about 13-16 inches, around structure. 5 to 7 pounds are fairly common
General Comments
Crappie have been really hit or miss, this warmer weather has fish moving in closer to the shore. Largemouth bass can be great but fish the deeper water in the trees for suspended fish. 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: 9/15/2018 Print

Comments
Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Channel catfish	GOOD	varies	The water is clear. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. try off dam on bluegill chunks, chicken livers or cut shad, Lakewide. Recent fish population sampling lots of nice channel catfish from 3 - 8 pounds. Fish feeders are ON
Largemouth bass	GOOD	varies	lake wide, use silver crank and spinner baits, or dark jigs,
Bullheads	GOOD	varies	use worms,or liver lake wide
Bluegill	FAIR	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	FAIR	lots of small fish with 50 limit	along dam, brushpiles on the windy side, use minnows and dark jigs
Go fishing, the fish have to eat. Catfish angling around the fish feeders can be fantastic. Remember the length and creel limits. Due to a leak in the dam water levels are low and will remain low until financing and approval for repair are made. The channel catfish population in this lake is doing well. Also there have been some very sizeable largemouth bass (up to 6 lbs) caught in this lake recently- try deeper weedbeds and brush piles with your spinners, jigs. Low water levels could make launching a large boat at the boatramp questionable. This is a great family fishing lake with good shoreline access and bathrooms. Remember the special length/creel limits. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment. Sign up for the Mound City Fishing District Newsletter today 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: 9/15/2018 Print

stillSpecies	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Black Bass	GOOD	Fish 10 to 19 inches dominate the population	try shallow areas using spinners, plastic baits, crankbaits, lakewide along cover in and around the piers.
Bluegill/redear sunfish	FAIR	all sizes	Nice redear 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	FAIR	12-22 inches	Use cut bait, stink baits, chicken liver, worms,the fish feeders are OFF, lakewide,
Crappie	FAIR	8 - 12 inches and up	try using minnows, jigs under a 6ft float, along the piers.
General Comments
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 largemouths. The feeders are still OFF.

COFFEY COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 10/1/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Methods, Locations
largemouth bass	Slow-Fair	8 in to 21 inches	The recent bite has been tough. Use finesse tactics around ideal structure weedlines, timber, or deep breaks. Carolina rigs, Ned rigs, or drop shots. The topwater bite may be decent in some areas during the early part of the day.
walleye	Fair	14-25 inches	Drifting jig and crawler over points or flats. Trolling crankbaits over the same areas should also work.
channel catfish/blue catfish	Fair-Good	1/2-5 lbs, Blues up to 50lbs.	Drifting various prepared baits or fresh cut bait around points, humps, or creek channel should produce some fish. We have tagged some blue catfish in the lake, if you catch one please take note of the tag number and report it to the gatehouse. You may keep the tagged fish if you desire or you can practice "CPR" OR CATCH PHOTO AND RELEASE.
smallmouth bass	Fair-Good	10-20 inches	The bite has been tough this year so finesse tactics may be your best shot at catching them. Wacky rigs or Ned rigs are excellent finesse tactics to use. Focus on deeper rocky points or humps.
white bass/Wipers	Good	up to 5lbs.	A variety of lures can be used to catch white bass crankbaits, grubs, bucktail jigs, and small spinners thrown around wind blown shorelines or points. Also look for them busting shad on the surface and try topwater shad imitations.
crappie	Slow	11-15 inches	Look for them near dropoffs and in the timber. Jigs of various colors or minnows.
General Comments
Entrance gate phone number is 620-364-2475 call for lake conditions. 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: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method &Location
Bluegill / redear	Good	6 - 7"	Bluegill and redear sunfish are abundant. Sizes up to 7 inches. Try coves, shoreline, tree structures, and rock habitat with a bobber and worm, small 1/16 ounce jigs, and fly fishing gear. Bluegill and redear sunfish both provide ample opportunity to catch plenty of fish in a short amount of time.
Channel catfish	Fair	All sizes.	Channel catfish can be found throughout all portions of the lake. Prepared baits, worms, stink bait, and live bait fished during all times of the day, specifically in the early morning and evening hours, will provide opportunity to catch catfish. Focus on shallow water in the morning and evening followed by deeper water that is in close proximity of shallow water habitat.
Crappie	Fair/good	Mostly 7 to 9-inch fish.	Anglers can find crappie up to 9 inches. Summertime patterns include fishing structure, rock jetties, and cove habitat. Crappie tend to congregate in schools in deeper water during the summer. Try slip bobbers with a minnow, or jigs tipped with minnow or worm. Artificial structure, such as Georgia Cubes, are present in Crawford.
Largemouth bass	Fair	All sizes	Largemouth bass densities are relatively low, although there are largemouth bass greater than 15 inches. Anglers should use spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, top water lures, and plastics fished along aquatic vegetation, rock jetties, cove habitat, and in coves will provide fishing opportunity.
General Comments
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 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. The following link will provide you with information on Aquatic Nuisance Species in Kansas: https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species

CRITZER LAKE - Last Updated: 9/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
Largemouth Bass	GOOD	13 to 18 inches with a few at 22 inches	The lake is at full pool, water clarity is great at this time. Work the shore and rocky areas, or trees, some larger fish available up to 6 pounds, best luck with dark colored jipnpigs, plastic worms, crank baits in close to cover. The majority of fish are in the 12 inch to 4 pound range.
Smallmouth Bass	Slow	13 to 15"	A limited fishery exists some are taken on jigs, spinners, along the dam and rocky areas.
Channel Catfish	Good to Excellent	15" to 8 pounds	This is a good catfish population with fish over 3 pounds and up to 15 pounds. Use cut shad, worms, liver, prepared baits, lakewide or along the piers along the parking lot. The fish feeder is ON for the season. Lots of good catfish around the feeder.
Crappie	Slow to Fair	any size	Sampling indicates good numbers of nice fish (9 to 12 inches) use minnows and jigs, lakewide. Fish are moving into shallow areas for spawning.
Walleye	Slow to Fair	most between 15 to 17 inches	Recent sampling indicates good numbers of fish (17.5 to 22 inches) are available. Some are taken on jigs tipped with worms, spinners, dam and upper creek channel
General Comments
Water levels are normal. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. Some good bass and catfish were caught this week. 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. This lake was sampled on 5/23/2018, and many largemouth bass were caught and released, varying in size (nothing over 4 lbs.), as well as a few smallmouth bass. There is a lot of cover in this lake and electrofishing may not catch bigger fish. There is a great channel cat population, with a lot of fish in the 2 to 8 pound range. There are a few walleye between 14 and 21 inches were seen as well. White crappie are abundant and caught close to cover, with light colored jigs. The water is clear unless there have been heavy rains. 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 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

ELK CITY RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 9/27/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	Good	8-12"	Crappie fishing has remained steady. Jigging vertically along the dam and in the card creek area have been productive. Fish have also been caught from the dock and rock jetties in the state park. Minnows have been working best.
Blue and channel catfish	Good	18-26"	Catfishing remains good. Look for fish to move into the shallows in the evenings. Drift fishing has also been producing good fishing. Shad sides have been working the best.
White Bass	Fair	10-14"	The white bass fishing remains slow. Look for white bass to start moving in near the shore at the state park with cooling water.
Outlet	Fair	12-20"	Water release has diminished. Fishing has slowed.

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: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
channel catfish	good	17% 11"-16" 50% 16"-24" 22% 24"-28" 11% 28"-36"	Use a worm, stink bait, or shad sides in mouth of river, outlet, and below riffles in river.
crappie	fair	1% 5"- 8" 18% 8"-10" 65% 10"-12" 16% 12"-15" 1% 15"+	Use a jig or minnow around newly flooded shoreline vegetation. Fish are more active on warmer days, but cold fronts reduce feeding for at least 24 hours. Fish are spread out due to high muddy water.
largemouth bass	poor	37% 8"-12" 16% 12"-15" 42% 15"-20" 5% 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 when water level return to conservation pool.
white bass	fair	28% 6"- 9" 26% 9"-12" 28% 12"-15" 18% 15"-18"	Use a spinner, jig, or crank bait along windy shoreline and outlet.
General Comments:
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 The size structure listed for largemouth bass is from May 2018 electrofishing. The size structure listed for crappie, white bass and channel catfish is from October 2017 test netting. Sign up to receive a copy of the Fall River District Fisheries Newsletter. For more information about the Fall River Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters.

FT. SCOTT LAKE - Last Updated: 9/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
black bass	EXCELLENT	varies	water level is perfect, bass are active and feeding, Use shad crank baits, soft plastic baits to fish structure, weed beds and along rocky points.
channel catfish	Good	varies, some very nice	Very good populations of channel catfish improves success. lakewide and around the feeders, use 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. The fish feeders are ON and the catfish are going crazy..
walleye	Slow	varies	use dark jigs and crankbaits, along flats and drop-offs. most fish are above the 18 inch length limit.
crappie	Fair	varies, many over 11 inches	Crappie are very active and have moved into shallow water. 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
Ft Scott 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 Scorotino Park. The tree placement along the dam are very accessible for shoreline anglers. This project is will improve angler success for bass and crappie. 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.

GARNETT NORTH - Last Updated: 10/1/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Crappie	fair	8-14 inches	Use minnows under a bobber around deeper water dropoffs and brush.
Channel catfish	Good	8-30 inches	Livers or other prepared baits lakewide, upper end during rain events. Some nice sized catfish were seen during electrofishing
Largemouth Bass	Good	up to 4lbs.	There is an abundant bass popuation in this lake with many fish in the 13-16" range, you can benefit the population by harvesting bass less than 13". Topwater baits should produce some fish along with spinnerbaits or finesse plastics such as Senkos or Trick worms rigged weightless or wacky style on a drop shot cooling water temps. will have bass feeding heavily.
Wipers	Fair	up to 6 lbs	Chicken livers or topwater or crankbaits fish around wind blown banks and dropoffs. Many nice sized wipers were seen while electrofishing.
Walleye	Slow		curly tailed jigs or crankbaits along the bank near deeper water.
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: 10/1/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Methods, and Location


Current Fishing Opportunity

Largemouth Bass	Good	up to 5lbs.	Swim jigs, crankbaits, topwater baits like buzzbaits or whopper ploppers, and weightless plastics like floating worms, senkos, or flukes should also be considered and can be very productive during tough conditions.
Bluegill	Good	up to 8 inches	Small jigs or flies, also bobber with a worm
Channel Catfish	Good	8-24 inches	chicken livers, cut bait or other prepared bait lakewide.
Crappie	Slow	6-10 inches	Minnows under a slip bobber around deeper structure.

Comments: Cooling water temps. should have fish starting to feed heavily as they prepare for the winter months.

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: 10/1/2018 Print

Species	Size	Rating	Bait, Method, Location
Channel Catfish	up to 15lbs.	Good	Drifting various baits lakewide has been productive. Fishing around the shallow timber should be good especially if cormorants are roosting in the trees. Worms, dough baits, dip baits, and livers are all good choices.
White Bass	up to 3lbs.	Fair-Good	Fishing windy shorelines where shad will stack up and white bass should be close. Small spinners, crankbaits, or bucktail jigs should work. Also look for them busting shad on the surface.
Crappie	up to 15"	Fair-Good	Dipping the shallow trees or fishing up in Otter Creek, or the river around the logjams may be good. Otherwise look for them around the dam and dredged area.
Comments - The boat ramp by the dam is OPEN. Boaters beware of shallow water! 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: 9/15/2018 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method, Location

Channel, blue and flathead catfish,

EXCELLENT

all sizes,

Sunfish or cutshad, worms, prepared baits, liver are usually good baits. Fish sampling indicates that this lake has lots of channel catfish, big flathead and blues to catch. There is a growing population of blue catfish up to 60 pounds or larger. Catfishing can be very good at night, some anglers really target large blue cats now at drop offs close to the creek channel. use live or cut baits or worms. The fish feeders are ON. The fish feeder at the horse trail parking lot has lots of channel catfish around it.

Crappie

Fair to good

9 - 12 inches

crappie are moving into the shallow areas. Some fish caught off of marina coves and at the hot water. There are a good numbers of fish 10- 12 inches long. Best lures to use are jigs/ minnows in about 6 to 9 feet of water, near structure. At the dam, bounce jigs off the outlet wall, but don't go over the restrictive cable. Try any of the brushpiles or Georgia cubes placed for fish habitat. There are some close to the marina shoreline.

Largemouth Bass

EXCELLENT

varies but 16 to 20 inches is common

Largemouth bass fishing is excellent, some good fish caught in the weedbeds. Fish the riprap areas, use cranks, plastic worms, lizards or spinner baits like shad imitations. Bass over 10 and close to 11 pounds have been caught in the last year.

white bass

GOOD

varies, some 1.5 pound

Good to excellent at the hot water outlet. Use shad imitations, silver spoons. Most of the fish caught at the hot water outlet have been the 1 to 2 pound range.

wiper

GOOD

some up to 12 pounds

some good fish caught at the hot water area. Most fish are in the 4 - 6 pound range with a few larger. Some fish caught out over the bridge.

carp

EXCELLENT

all sizes

along the shoreline in weedbeds and lots of fish around the feeders.

General Comments

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.

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/

The water level is very full and has flooded lots of weedbeds that are full of crappie, channel catfish and bass. 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 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

MARAIS DES CYGNES WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 9/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, &amp;amp;amp; Location
blue, channel catfish	GOOD	varies	fish in the river are concentrated below riffles, stink baits, cut shad, liver,
white bass/wipers	Fair	varies	minnows, jigs, work the pools below the rifles,
crappie	slow	varies	use jigs just below riffles
General Comments
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. Some of the wildlife area pools are draining and others have very low fish populations. Access to the river is at the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area. For additional opportunities call 913-352-8941 for accurate information on wildlife pool drainage. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. 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: 10/4/2018 Print


Crappie	Good	0.25-0.75lb	Anglers continue to catch lots of crappie on jigs and minnows, but almost everything caught has been shorter than 10".
Walleye	Slow	0.5-3 lbs	Trolling crankbaits
White bass	Good	0.5-2 lbs	Trolling crankbaits
Smallmouth bass	Good	0.25-3 lbs	Anglers are catching fish on a variety of lures, but plastics (worms and jigs), along with small spinnerbaits (like roostertails) are accounting for most fish.
Channel catfish	Good	1-5 lbs	In the outlet on worms and livers. Not much action in the lake itself.

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.
Sauger			18 inch minimum length limit went into effect Jan. 1, 2016. This change makes sauger and walleye have the same regulations at Melvern Reservoir.
Spotted Bass			18 inch minimum length limit went into effect Jan. 1, 2016. This change makes all black bass (i.e. largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) have the same regulations at Melvern Reservoir.
General Comments
Oct. 4 water level 2.34 feet below conservation pool, release rate = 20 cfs, water temp = 70. Note: 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. Feeders are operational and should be through Labor Day.

MINED LAND WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill / Redear / Warmouth	Good	All sizes	Try worms or small jigs and spinners fished slowly near the bottom. 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	All sizes	Channel catfish can be found in abundance all across the wildlife area. Try shad sides, liver, worms or prepared baits. 14,000 channel catfish were stocked on the Mined Land Wildlife Area throughout all of the accessible strip pits. Stockings were made on September 13, and 18-20, 2018. These fish are 8-15 inches in length and average 1/3 pound each.
Crappie	Fair/good	All sizes	Try minnows, small jigs, or small spinners fished around brush and structure.
Largemouth Bass	Good	All sizes	Try jigs, worms, or spinner baits fished slowly around brush, aquatic vegetation, and structure.
Rainbow trout	Good	10 - 15"	Rainbow trout are stocked each spring, fall, and winter in Unit #30 in the "Trout Pit". Try power bait, small spinners, spoons, flies, small crankbaits, worms, or corn. The first rainbow trout stocking of the spring season was made on January 10, 2018 of approximately 924 fish. Additional stockings were made on February 5, 2018 of 1036 fish and February 28, 2018 of 560 fish. Most rainbows are 10 inches in length when stocked and average 1/2 lb. each. Five percent of each stocking is comprised of 14-inch or larger fish. Trout can live year-around in this unique strip-mined lake, so fish in the 3-5 pound range are occassionally caught. Rainbow trout are managed under a daily creel limit of five fish.
Brown trout	Fair	15-20"	Brown trout have been stocked in Unit #30 in the Trout Pit to provide an additional species and trophy opportunity for anglers. Try power bait, small spinners, spoons, flies, small crankbaits, worms, or corn. Remember to correctly identify the trout you have caught as a Rainbow, or Brown, Trout. Brown trout are managed under a 20-inch minimum and 1 fish in the daily creel limit.
Walleye	Fair	18-21"	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. 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"	Wiper were stocked on the Mined Land Wildlife Area in Unit #21 on October 2, 2018. Stockings have occurred since 2007. A fish feeder is also present on the Wiper Pit in Unit #21 that provides supplemental food on this specific pit. 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.
General Comments
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 Channel catfish were stocked on the Mined Land Wildlife Area throughout all of the accessible pits. The channel catfish stocked range in size from 8 to 15 inches in length. These fish will bite readily on worms, stink bait, and shrimp. Grab the tackle box, fishing reels, and introduce someone to fishing on the unique opportunity that the Mined Land Wildlife Area strip pits provides. 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. More information on Eurasian Watermilfoil may be found at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species-List/Eurasian-Watermilfoil Habitat Structures have been placed on the Mined Land Wildlife Area. Locations to the habitat structures (i.e., Georgia Cubes) that have been placed by KDWPT staff can be found 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 Trout Anglers - 3,500 small 6 to 9-inch brown trout were stocked on Jan. 24, 2017. Brown trout must be 20-inches in length to be in your possession. Please handle these small browns with care and release them immediately, so we may produce some quality-sized fish in the future. Youth 15 and younger are not required to purchase a trout permit, but their daily creel limit is 2 trout/day. All anglers 16 and older are required to have a trout stamp to fish in the trout lake in Unit #30.

MONTGOMERY STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 9/27/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Channel Catfish	Good	14-24"	Catfishing remains good. Catfish have been moving into the shallow at dark to feed. Shad sides and chicken livers have been working the best.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	8-18"	Largemouth bass fishing has remained slow. Fishing should start to pick up as water temps cool down. Look for bass to move into the shallow around the shoreline in the coming weeks.
Crappie	Fair	8-12"	Crappie fishing has remained hit or miss. Look for crappie under the docks around the lake. Minnows have been working the best.
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish	Good	6-8"	Bluegill and redear fishing remains good. Look for them just outside of the weed line. Worms under a bobber and small hair jigs have been working the 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.

MOUND CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 9/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, &amp; Location
Channel Catfish	EXCELLENT	Size varies but most are of legal size, with some large fish	Cut bait, also try stink baits, chicken liver, cut shad or chunks of sunfish, The fish feeders are ON for the season.Lots of good catfish in the lake. Some really nice catfish are being caught.
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish	FAIR	varies	Use small baits, jigs or small worm under a float set for shallow water
Crappie	FAIR	8 to 14 inches some larger	Crappie are moving into shallow water as the water warms. Really good when its good. Nice fish available. Along the south tree line or habitat structures and drop offs along the creek channel.
Largemouth Bass	EXCELLENT	varies	Recent sampling indicates a good population with majority of fish 14 to 19 inches. some up to 7 pounds. Bass are in shallow water adjacent to structure, try plastics, jig and Pig, slabs
General Comments
Go fishing, the fish have to eat. Water conditions are good. The catfish are excellent around the fish feeders. Fish downwind of the feeders as there will be more fish there. Mound City Lake has a great reputation for producing good strings of crappie. Best baits are dark colored jigs and minnows, mainly around underwater structure. Fish feeders are ON. Largemouth bass numbers have really improved and continues to produce great fishing. Sign up for the Mound City 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 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: 4/16/2018 Print

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method, & Location

Paddlefish

Poor

Snagging season opened March 15th. Fishing has remained slow. Watch for fishing to pick up with increases in water level. Water level can be checked from the link below.

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: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill / Redear	Good	Up to 8"	Bluegill and redear sunfish are abundant up to 8 inches. Fish along aquatic vegetation edges, rock jetties, or habitat structures with a 1/16 ounce jig, bobber and worm, or fly fishing gear. Fish can be found in shallow water and will provide anglers of all ages the chance at catching a fish.
Channel catfish	Fair	All sizes	Channel catfish can be caught using a variety of baits. Try using prepared baits, worms, and stink bait fishing off of the jetties and brushpiles on the southwest end of the lake. All sizes of catfish are present.
Crappie	Fair/good	8-12"	Crappie are abundant with the most common sizes ranging from 8 to 11 inches. Try fishing 1/16-1/8 ounce jigs, bobber with a minnow, or worm around rock jetties, coves, and tree structures where deeper water will congregate crappie.
Largemouth bass	Fair	All sizes	Largemouth bass are in high densities with fish greater than 15 inches present. Jigs, plastic lures, buzz baits, or spinner baits fished around structure and along aquatic vegetation may yield a memorable catch.
General Comment
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 A partial renovation is planned for Neosho State Fishing Lake this winter. A low-dose rotenone treatment will be applied to eradicate gizzard shad from the lake. Gizzard shad compete with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie, to name a few, for food and space. This treatment will open up more room in the impoundment for desired fish species to grow and survive. Neosho State Fishing Lake will be closed to boat traffic on the day of application. Daily creel limits and length limits will still apply. More information on the application and influence of gizzard shad in small impoundments can be found here: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/News/Weekly-News/9-27-18/Partial-Renovations-Scheduled-at-Four-State-Fishing-Lakes 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. The following link will provide you with information on Aquatic Nuisance Species in Kansas: https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species

OSAGE STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 10/4/2018 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
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 0.25 lbs	Using worms under bobber.
Channel catfish	Fair-Good	1-5 lbs	Using nightcrawlers, stinkbait, and liver. Some catches being reported off of feeders.
Largemouth bass	Fair	0.5-2 lbs	Using a variety of baits including crankbaits, spinners and jigs.
General Comments
Feeders received their last batch of food for the year. After feeders empty, they will not be operational until Memorial Day weekend 2019. 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. Feeders are operational, and should be through Labor Day. GPS coordinates (Datum =NAD 83 in decimel degrees) for cedar tree fish habitat are: 1. N38.76493 W095.67421⁰2. N38.76591 W095.67092⁰ N38.76540 W095.67353 4. N38.76628 W095.67362 N38.76263 W095.67154 6. N38.76833 W095.67339 N38.77290 W095.67194 8. N38.76469 W095.66955 N38.76276 W095.67139 10. N38.76506 W095.67109 N 38.76291 W095.66969 12. N38.76287 W095.67497

PLEASANTON CITY LAKE EAST - Last Updated: 9/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, &Location
Wipers	Slow	size varies,	use live shad or shad artificials and hang on. lake wide trolling with sassy shads, from the bank and boat, with crankbaits, spoons, worms.
Channel catfish	EXCELLENT	All sizes,	this lake has a good catfish population and produces nice fish. Anglers can catch fish in the 2- 7 pound range. Best baits are the traditional chicken liver or use stink baits, shrimp, worms, prepared baits, lakewide. The fish feeders are ON for the season. The catfish are going crazy around the feeders.
Largemouth bass	GOOD	varies	good results along the shoreline weedbeds the bass are in spawn mode, try the dam, and woody habitat using silver or blue crank baits or soft baits. Lots of bass in the 12 to 15 inch range.
Walleye	Slow	18-24 inches	An incidental fish taken near deeper habitat.
white crappie	GOOD	8-14 inches	Many crappie are in the 8 inch range to 11 to 12 inches long. Fish around the floating dock, shoreline and brushpiles areas. Try the shoreline and any shallow cover, use pink, blue/white tube or green jigs, minnows.
General Comment
The best time to fish is anytime you can. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. This is a great kayaking lake, no recreational boating. Have the lake to yourself. Recent rains have raised the water level to full pool and the fishing is good. 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 will be stocked in mid October to increase fishing opportunities. 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 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: 9/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, &amp; Location
channel catfish	EXCELLENT	Size varies, some up to 8 pounds	Use cut shad or sunfish, (best on chicken liver), shrimp, worms, prepared baits, along dam, lots of fat fish from 2 - 6 pounds. Fish feeders are ON. This lake is a great channel catfish lake with great shoreline access.
crappie	Fair to Good	All sizes	warmer temperatures and fish are close to the shore. Fish are nice size and the density is good, fish are traditionally along the dam, south east pier, and in the brushpiles fish with jigs, blue /white, minnows,
largemouth bass	EXCELLENT	12-22 inches	High water levels will have bass back in the water willow along the dam, piers and the brushpiles, use crank baits or spinners, recent sampling shows many bass over 18 inches.
bluegill	Fair	varies	Most fish are under 8 inches. use a small worm or jig under a float.
General Comments
Best time to fish is anytime you can. Pleasanton West Lake produces a quality bass fishery. Largemouth bass, overall are in very good condition and health. The largest bass sampled in 2017 was 4.78 lbs., and 33% of the fish sampled were of memorable or trophy size. Try your luck with roadrunners, jigs, and spinners for these sizeable fish! 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 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: 9/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, & Location
Channel Catfish	GOOD	all sizes	Use worms or dip baits and sunfish entrails or cutshad, stink/prepared baits. THE FISH FEEDERS ARE ON, and fish are using these attractors. THE outlet can be very good when releasing larger amounts of water. There is the occasional harvest of the blue catfish.
Walleye	Slow	varies	off points or deeper steep banks on crank baits or jigs tipped with night crawlers
White bass/Wipers	Fair	varies	reports indicate that white bass are improving as the water warms up. use minnows/live baits, cut bait, sometimes liver and shad imitation lures
Crappie	Slow	varies but range 8 -12 inches	some nice fish occasionally caught especially around the rock quarry and along dragoon. Best baits are dark jigs and/or minnows. Recent sampling indicates that that there are good numbers of larger crappie around the 11 inch or bigger range. Hot weather has slowed angler success.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Most are 10 to 15 inches	Pomona has a limited black bass fishery. Catches are more common in the Marina area and in the coves on a variety of baits to include crankbaits and soft baits
General Informatiom
Fishing at the outlet usually improves with higher water releases. The crappie population is good with a few older fish that are in the 12 to 14 inch range and a lot of younger fish up to 11 inches. The catfish population in this impoundment is good, try fishing with live bait, liver or shad or assorted stick baits, especially after rain/inflow events. 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

TORONTO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 10/15/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, Location
channel catfish	good	9% 11"-16" 57% 16"-24" 26% 24"-28" 9% 28"-36"	Use a worm, stink bait, or shad sides in mouth of river, outlet, and below riffles in river.
largemouth bass	poor	20% 8"-12" 25% 12"-15" 50% 15"-20" 5% 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 20 bass per hour of electrofishing sampled in Walnut Creek. 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 when water level returns to normal.
white bass	fair	45% 6"-9" 12% 9"-12" 35% 12"-15" 9% 15"-18" 0% 18"+	Use a spinner, jig, or crank bait on windy shoreline and outlet.
white crappie	fair	5% 5"-8" 8% 8"-10" 66% 10"-12" 20% 12"-15" 1% 15"+	Use a jig or minnow around newly flooded shoreline vegetation. Fish are more active on warmer days, but cold fronts reduce feeding for at least 24 hours. Fish are spread out due to high muddy water.
General Comments
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) The size structure listed for largemouth bass is from May 2018 electrofishing. The size structure for crappie, white bass, and channel catfish is from October 2017 test netting. Sign up to receive a copy of the Fall River/Toronto District Fisheries Newsletter. For more information about the Fall River/Toronto Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters.

WILSON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 9/27/2018 Print

General Comments
Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Good	16-24"	Catfishing remains good. Look for fish to bite in the shallows during the evening. Chicken livers and shad sides have been working best.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass	Good	10-22"	Bass fishing has improved. Look for fish to be in shallower water as the water temps cool. Fishing should improve in the coming weeks with cooler water temps.
Crappie	Fair	8-12"	Crappie fishing remains hit or miss. Look for fish to be near structure or around the fishing docks. Minnows have been working the best. Crappie fishing should pick up as the water temps cool.
Bluegill and Redear	Good	6-8"	Bluegills and redears fishing remains good. Look for them just outside of the weed line. Small jigs tipped with a worm have been working the 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: 3/9/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Bait, Method, Location

The lake is dry.

YATES CENTER - SOUTH OWL - Last Updated: 10/1/2018 Print

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Largemouth bass	Good	1-5 lbs.	Swimjigs or crankbaits near shallow cover or slow it down and fish Texas-rigged plastics. Topwater baits should be considered around the vegetation early in the day.
channel catfish	Good	1/2-15 lbs	Chicken liver, cut bait, or other prepared baits lakewide. The feeders are on.
Walleye	slow	10-24"	Jig and crawlers or trolling crankbaits around dropoffs or over the flats.
crappie	Fair-Good	up to 14"	Look for them in deeper water near dropoffs or the Georgia Cube locations. Live bait like minnows is probably best bait this time of year. Some fish have been caught shallow around the vegetation.
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: 10/1/2018 Print

Species	Size	Rating	Baits, Methods, Locations
Redear and Bluegill	up to 10"	Good	A good population of both species is present in this lake. Use the good ol nightcrawler or mealworm under a bobber around deep structure.
Largemouth Bass	8-18"	Good	Good numbers of fish in the 13-18" range with a few over 18" you can benefit the population by harvesting the bass you catch under 13". Fishing around deeper brush with Texas-rigged plastics should be productive. Topwater baits may also work well early and late in the day around shallow timber and submerged weeds. If a more subtle approach is needed go with weightless plastics like senkos, flukes, or floating worms.
Catfish	up to 10lbs.	Good	livers, dip baits, worms, and other prepared bait lakewide. The FISH FEEDERS ARE RUNNING, PLEASE DO NOT TIE BOATS TO THE FEEDERS. Many fish are around the feeders, size ranges from 1.5 lbs. to 10 lbs.
Wipers/White Bass	8-18"	Fair	Curly-tailed grubs, crankbaits or swim baits around schools of shad. Wind blown shorelines should be good places to start.
Crappie	up to 12"	Fair-Good	Efforts should probably be focused on deeper water and brush located near dropoffs or the creek channel. live bait is usually hard to beat but various colored jigs work well during the fall.
Walleye	15-24"	slow	crankbaits or dragging a jig and crawler over the flats.
Cooling water temps. in the Fall usually triggers the fish to feed heavily to prepare for the winter months. Fall fishing is some of the best of the year. 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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