Northwest Region Fishing Reports
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: 4/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Fair to Good | 12-18 inches | Spring is a great time to catch bass as they feed heavily throughout the day. They can be found near the flooded cattails and also hang out under the overhanging branches along the east shoreline. Fish may also be found near the flooded aquatic vegetation around the lake. Try spinnerbaits, Ned rigs, Senkos, and plastics for best results. |
| Bluegill/Sunfish | Fair to Good | 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 nymphs or dry flies fished on the surface. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | 12-25 inches | Fish can be caught just about anywhere on the lake. Anglers should try using shad sides, shad gizzards, shrimp, nightcrawlers, and chicken liver. Targeting inflow is a popular method in the spring as the catfish will congregate there to feed. |
| Saugeye | Fair to Good | 15-24 inches | The best number of saugeye can be found on the upper end around the jetties and other rocky areas. Jig and crawler, large shiners, crankbaits, and swim baits are all good options to use for catching saugeye now. |
| Crappie | Good | 8-14 inches | Anglers should target the brush piles and other submerged structure with minnows and jigs throughout the spring. The crappie bite really picks up as the water temperature warms and anglers are encouraged to harvest high numbers of crappie to help maintain a desirable level. |
| General Comments | |||
| Water Temperature--58ºF CAUTION: LONGER BOAT TRAILERS MAY FALL OFF EDGE OF BOAT RAMP WHEN WATER IS LOW | |||
CEDAR BLUFF RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 4/8/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
| Crappie | No Report | Up to 15 inches | Although fish can be tough to locate this time of year, vertically fishing jigs around brush and timber lining steep drop-offs toward the mouths of main lake coves can be productive. |
| Walleye | Slow | Up to 28 inches | The walleye spawn is nearing completion so it won't be long before the post-spawn bite begins. There may still be some spawning fish to be caught casting brightly colored suspending and floating jerkbaits or swimbaits along the dam at night. But look for fish to transition to feeding over well-defined, hard-bottomed points or submerged roadbeds and parking lots. Jig and nightcrawler combo is a popular bait for catching post spawn fish. |
| White Bass/Wipers | Good | Whites up to 17 inches Wipers up to 13 lbs. | Casting shad imitating curly-tail or bucktail jigs, spoons, and swimbaits over large, shallow flats towards the upper ends of coves or the west end of the lake. Anglers report catching some real nice white bass and wipers up to 4 lbs. |
| WATER TEMPERATURE-53 degrees F SURFACE ELEVATION- 2133.07 ft. above MSL-10.93 ft. below conservation pool 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: 4/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Fair | 9-15 inches | The crappie spawn is still a few weeks away but anglers should target fish in prespawn areas in 8 to 15 feet of water. The fish will often reside in small bunches and can be difficult to locate but they will bite once located. Some fish may still be found in the brush piles and Georgia cube structures as well but many have begun to disperse from these winter holding areas. Actively searching for roaming crappie will be needed for now with a variety of jigs and minnows your best bets to catch these fish. |
| Trout | Good | 10-16 inches | Rainbow trout, including many golden rainbows, have been stocked five times in the park pond this winter. The latest stocking occurred on April 8th and included 1,500 trout. The best baits to use include Velveeta cheese, Powerbait, corn, and salmon eggs. Anglers often fish these baits using one or two small split shots and a small size 12 or size 14 hook fish on the bottom. Casting inline spinners such as Panther Martins and roostertails also works well along with fly fishing using nymphs, streamers, and dry flies. A complete summary of rules and regulations can be found HERE. |
| Walleye | Fair to Good | 11-25 inches | The walleye spawn continues but is beginning to wind down. Anglers can still target the face of the dam at night casting or walk trolling floating rapala lures and dark colored jigs. Also, fishing the north and south shorelines adjacent to the dam can be productive as well. Many of the fish move to the river channel after the spawn and can be found between the dam and Sandy Beach area in 25-35 feet of water. Anglers often have success catching these fish using swim baits and jig/crawler combos. 
Tagged Glen Elder Walleye Anglers need to be on the lookout for adult walleye with a Pink Tag attached to the dorsal fin in Glen Elder. A multi-year telemetry study is underway examining walleye mortality patterns, habitat use, and movement. Anglers catching a tagged fish will receive a $100 reward for return of the transmitter which has been placed in the internal cavity of these fish. You may keep the pink tag but we need the transmitter returned. Angler reporting is very critical to this study and you can all do your part by calling the park office, 785-545-3345, if you catch one of these fish or simply drop the transmitter off at the office. You will receive $100 shortly thereafter. Thank you for doing your part in helping us learn all we can about the Glen Elder walleye population! |
| Black Bass | Good | 12-20 inches |
 Smallmouth bass fishing is picking up with anglers catching some fish around the state park along the north shore. With a 21 inch length limit these fish are almost all sublegal so please handle them with extreme care and release them immediately after catching them. They can also be found along the dam, Granite Creek, and the south bluffs. Anglers typically catch them using a variety of crankbaits, soft plastics, and Ned Rigs. Largemouth bass can also be caught in most of the main lake coves as well as in the state park using spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and Senkos. The spring electrofishing sample illustrates the quality smallmouth bass and largemouth bass that can be found at Glen Elder Reservoir across much of the reservoir. |
| Channel Catfish | Fair | 15-30 inches | Catfish can be caught just about anywhere lakewide. The best numbers in the spring can be found around the mouth of Walnut Creek, along Sandy Beach, near Takota Point, and on the flats south of the golf course. Anglers can try drift fishing for them using shad sides, shad gizzards, and stinkbait. Remember, there is a 35 inch length limit on blue catfish at Glen Elder. |
| White Bass | Good | 11-18 inches | The white bass are beginning to run up the rivers in preparation for the spawn. Once this gets going anglers should be able to find fish anywhere on the north and south fork river channels as far west as the wildlife property line. Fishing shallow riffle areas and around log jams are good bets to find numbers of concentrated fish, but floating a canoe or kayak down the river is the easiest way to catch a bunch of fish. Anglers can also find these fish along the Cawker City causeway and on the dam as they often spawn in those areas as well. Best baits include twister tails, roadrunners, and small spinnerbaits. |
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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: 57°F Current Water Level: 1.1 feet high 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: 4/16/2021
KANOPOLIS RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 4/8/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | Good | 16 - 21" | Some are being caught on cut bait along windy shorelines. |
| Crappie | Good | 10 to 14 inches | No reports on shallow spawning crappie yet but some are still being caught on brush piles and breaks along the dam. |
| Trout | The final trout stocking occurred on Thursday, April 8th. Due to high water most fish were placed in the middle and upper end of the stream. | ||
| Saugeye | Fair | 14 - 22" | Few are being caught but look for them on wind blown points in the middle and lower ends of the reservoir. Some are still on the dam. Try 1/8 - 1/4 oz. swimbaits and jigs (pink and chartreuse work well in the muddier water). |
| White Bass | Good | All sizes - up to 17 inches | No reports of White Bass moving up the river yet but warm weather could get them moving up in the next week. |
| Wiper | Fair. | All sizes | No report |
| General Comment | |||
| Elevation: 4 feet above conservation pool. Water Temperature: 51-53 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: 4/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Fair | 7 to 16 inches | Did have reports of crappies being caught around the artificial brush piles under private boat slips, and the fish attractor structures close to the public fishing dock near the mouth of Leota Cove and up in the coves. Been using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. |
| Saugeye/Walleye | Fair | 13 to 27 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught along the Dam and point on the east side of Leota Cove, up by the Marsh Dike and point south of the swim beach using jigs, or jigs tipped with live baits. An 18" minimum length limit is in effect. |
| Wiper | Good | 10 to 28 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught and would concentrate on areas around Monkey Island and the RR bridge abutments on the south side using jigs and slab spoons. |
| Catfish | Fair | 10 to 30 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught up to the west end, the Dam, and other rocky areas using shad, worms, cut bait, shrimp and stink bait on the bottom. |
| Largemouth/Spotted Bass | Good | 10 to 20 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught along the Dam, up in the coves and around the breakwater using crankbait's and plastic imitations. |
| General Comments | |||
| WATER TEMPERATURE- 52° SURFACE ELEVATION- 2298.22 ---- 6.08' below conservation Currently, the water level is 2.64 feet lower than it was one year ago, at this time. All waters in the Stockton District are currently open to fishing during this COVID-19 outbreak. Just remember to utilize social distancing and avoid congregating at boat ramps. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. Please discard leftover bait in a trash can. Now Available: A Webster District newsletter that includes fisheries related information about Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoirs is available. If you would like to subscribe to this spring and fall newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. | |||
KIRWIN RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 4/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Fair | 7 to 17 inches | Anglers have been catching fish around the north and south shore fish attractors, along river channel drop offs and along the Dam using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. |
| Walleye | Fair | 10 to 29 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught along the Dam. These fish will be coming into the Dam to spawn; however, the spawn is winding down and would get those jigs and nightcrawlers out for when they start feeding on the flats. |
| White Bass/ Wiper | Good | 10 to 26 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught around the fish attractors and along the dam using jigs with twister tails, road runners and crank baits. |
| Catfish | Fair | 10 to 30 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught up Bow Creek and North Fork Solomon arms, the Dam and Crappie Point using shad, worms, cut bait, and stink bait on the bottom. |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | 12 to 20 inches | Did not have any reports of fish being caught. However, would try fishing up in the shallow areas off the Dam, coves and rocky area using jigs and crankbaits. Remember there is a 15-inch length limit on bass. |
| General Comments | |||
| WATER TEMPERATURE- 52° SURFACE ELEVATION- 1729.44 ---- 0.19' above conservation pool Currently, the water level is 0.48' higher than it was one year ago, at this time. Docks have been removed at the North ramp and South shore ramp. The fish cleaning station is still closed. Both ramps are open at this time. All waters in the Stockton District are currently open to fishing during this COVID-19 outbreak. Just remember to utilize social distancing and avoid congregating at boat ramps. If you have any questions regarding Kirwin Reservoir and the surrounding public lands, contact the USFWS at 785-543-6673. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. Please discard leftover bait in a trash can. Now Available: A Webster District newsletter that includes fisheries related information about Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoirs is available. If you would like to subscribe to this spring and fall newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. | |||
LOVEWELL RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 4/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Fair | 16-25 inches | The walleye spawn is beginning to wrap up for the year but anglers can still find some fish along the dam and south shore near the outlet. After spawning, fish are often caught off the north shore between Cedar Point and Walleye Point with the swim beach area an excellent spot to try in the evening. |
| White Bass/Wipers | Fair | 7-14 inches 15-25 inches | The water temperature is warming up and the whites will begin moving to the rocky shorelines to spawn. Anglers will soon start finding fish along the dam and other rip rapped shoreline around the reservoir. Casting a variety of small crankbaits, roadrunners, and slabs can all catch fish this time of year. With the current outflow, fish will likely congregate near the outlet as well making easy targets for anglers fishing that area. Wipers are often found off the dam and along the creek channel on the lower half of the reservoir this time of year. |
| Crappie | Fair to Good | 8-14 inches | The crappie spawn is still a few weeks away but anglers should target fish in prespawn areas in 8 to 15 feet of water. The fish will often reside in small bunches and can be difficult to locate but they will bite once located. Some fish may still be found in the brush piles and Georgia cube structures as well but many have begun to disperse from these winter holding areas. Actively searching for roaming crappie will be needed for now with a variety of jigs and minnows your best bets to catch these fish. |
| Catfish | Fair | 16 to 35 inches | Anglers can find catfish lakewide and they should be fairly easy to catch throughout the spring. Best baits to use in the spring include stinkbait, shad gizzards, shad sides, shrimp, and nightcrawlers. Anglers often report good catches of blue catfish near the Highway 14 bridge and around the 2-mile road area through April and May. Channel catfish may be caught near the outlet given the current releases. Remember there is a 35 inch minimum length limit on blue catfish in Lovewell. All blue catfish less than 35 inches must be released immediately. |
| Comments | |||
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Anglers can now find GPS coordinates, descriptions, and histories of some of the major brush piles in Lovewell. Simply follow this link Good Fishing Spots and select the individual brush pile to find out more information. More Georgia Cubes were added in April 2020! Current water temperature: 57ºF Current water level: At conservation pool 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: 4/16/2021
| pecies | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURRENT FISHING | |||
| Largemouth Bass | Good | 6-18 inches | Anglers are catching fish lake wide using crankbait's and plastic imitations. |
| Bluegill | Fair | 3-9 inches | Anglers are catching fish lake wide use worms under a bobber. |
| Catfish | Fair | 10-25 inches | Would try using worms, stinkbait and shrimp on the bottom. |
| Black Crappie | Good | 5-10 inches | Catching them lake wide using jigs, jigs with worms and jigs with minnows. |
| General Comments | |||
| Water Temp. 54 Degrees Lake is currently full. All waters in the Stockton District are currently open to fishing during this COVID-19 outbreak. Just remember to utilize social distancing and avoid congregating at boat ramps. 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: 11/6/2020
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Slow | Up to 13 inches | No report. |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair/Good | Up to 5 lbs. | Casting swimbaits and soft plastics around shoreline brushpiles, along the dam, around the fishing piers, and around laydown trees. |
| Saugeye | Fair | Up to 3 lbs. | Fishing live minnows or sunfish off the bottom or casting crankbaits and swimbaits near edges of the creek channel. |
| Bluegill | Fair | Up to 8 inches | Worms under a bobber around deeper brush or rocky shorelines. |
| Channel Catfish | Fair/Good | Up to 19 lbs. | Fishing cut or live sunfish, minnows, or shrimp over shallow flats along the east side or upper end of the lake. |
| Wiper | Fair | Up to 2 lbs. | Trolling shad imitating crankbaits has produced a few fish. |
| 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: 4/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Fair | 7 to 17 inches | Have had reports of fish being caught around the north and south shore breakwaters and fish attractors. Jigs or jig's tipped with minnows have been productive. |
| Walleye | Fair | 14 to 26 inches | Did not have any reports of fish being caught, however, the spawn is winding down and it would be a good time to get those jigs and night crawler's out and look for them coming onto the flat's to feed. Stocked 1 million walleye fry on 4-15-2021. |
| White Bass/Wiper | Good | 8 to 24 inches | Have had reports of fish being caught around the north corner of the Dam, Broken up concrete ramp and Lakeview/beach area fishing from the shore casting jigs and road runners. |
| Catfish | Fair | 12 to 30 inches | Did have reports of catfish being caught up in the shallows of coves and river channel using shad, worms, shrimp, and stink bait on the bottom. |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | 12 to 20 inches | Did not have any reports of bass being caught. However, would try in the coves, around the breakwaters and along the rocky areas using jig's, plastic bait's, crankbait's and spinner baits. |
| Rainbow Trout | Good | 10 to 18 inches | The last load of trout was stocked on March 9th. Have been catching them on flies, power bait, salmon eggs and small spinners. Trout season ended on April 15th and no permit is needed to fish for them, however, the stilling basin will be closed off to all access including fishing starting on April 19th. |
| General Comments | |||
| WATER TEMPERATURE- 52° SURFACE ELEVATION- 1893.10 ---- 0.65' above conservation pool The water level is 1.17' higher than it was one year ago at this time. High-water boat ramps usable at this level are Old Marina, Goose Flats, Morel & Rock Point. All boat ramps are currently open at this time. All waters in the Stockton District are currently open to fishing during this COVID-19 outbreak. Just remember to utilize social distancing and avoid congregating at boat ramps. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. Please discard leftover bait in a trash can. Now Available: A Webster District newsletter which includes informative fisheries information about Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoirs is currently available. If you would like to subscribe to this spring and fall newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. | |||
WILSON RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 4/8/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass | Fair | 2-25 pounds | Fair. Stripers are still in the upper end of the reservoir but windy points and shallow areas along the river channel are likely locations to find more stripers. Try large bucktail jigs and swimbaits along horseshoe bend, the bluffs on the upper end, and Duvall cove area. |
| Walleye | Fair | 18-25 inches | Fair. Some Walleye are still on the dam and points along Lucas Park. Try 1/4 oz. swimbaits and jigs in 4-8 feet of water. Crankbaits and jerkbaits are working well too first thing in the morning along reed grass stubble. |
| Blue/Channel Catfish | Good | 2-20 pounds | Channel Catfish) Channel cats are biting well. Try cut bait or live minnows along shallow, wind-blown shorelines. Otoe, Hell Creek, and State Park Cove have been good. Blue Catfish) Blue cats are still in the upper end of the river and Hell Creek. Try fresh cutbait in 3-6 feet of water. NEW REGULATION FOR 2020: Release all Blue Catfish between 32 - 40 inches. Two can be kept outside this range but only one can be kept over 40 inches. |
| White Bass | Fair | 12-18 inches, up to 3 pounds | Fair. No reports of White Bass moving up the river yet but warming water might improve conditions by next week. |
| Black Bass | Fair | 12-20 inches | Fair. Smallmouth are looking to spawn and big females are being caught along bluffs and rocky shorelines with jerkbaits and mid-diving crankbaits. Hair jigs are also good. Try squarebill crankbaits and spinnerbaits in warmer coves for Largemouth. |
| White Perch | Poor | 4 to 12 inches | No report. - IT IS ILLEGAL TO HAVE A WHITE PERCH ALIVE IN YOUR POSSESSION - IF YOU CATCH IT AND WANT TO KEEP IT - IT HAS TO BE DEAD IN A COOLER OR LIVEWELL. THEY ARE NO LONGER LEGAL AS LIVE BAIT FOR STRIPERS OR OTHER FISH!!!!! |
| General Comments | |||
| Lake Elevation = 2 inches below conservation pool. Surface Temperature = 50-54 degrees F BOAT RAMP UPDATE: All boat ramps except Lucas Park are open. WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKETS and be courteous at boat ramps! We have two Aquatic Nuisance Species - white perch and zebra mussels and have joined Cheney and El Dorado as lakes with both species. The law now says that if anyone leaves the lake with water in your livewell or boat, you are subject to a ticket for transporting Zebra Mussels since they will spawn and the microscopic little mussels will probably be in every drop of water in the lake. Make sure you drain all water from the boat before you leave the boat ramp area!!! We have been taking veliger samples and the samples were high so be sure to drain and dry everything!!!!!! | |||