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: 9/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Fair to Good | 12-18 inches | Fall is a good time to catch bass as they will feed much more throughout the day as temperatures begin to cool. 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 | 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 summer as the catfish will congregate there to feed. Fishing after dark can yield excellent results as the fish become more active. |
| Saugeye | Fair | 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 | Fair | 8-14 inches | Anglers should target the brush piles and other submerged structure with minnows and jigs throughout the fall. Anglers are encouraged to harvest high numbers of crappie to help maintain a desirable level. |
| General Comments | |||
| Water Temperature--79ºF CAUTION: LONGER BOAT TRAILERS MAY FALL OFF EDGE OF BOAT RAMP WHEN WATER IS LOW | |||
CEDAR BLUFF RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 9/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
| Black Bass | Fair/Good | Up to 4.5 lbs. | Swim baits, soft plastics, and chatter baits fished around flooded grass and brush mainlake points has been good for largemouth bass. Fishing similar baits over rocky points, and submerged roadbeds and parking lots has been good for all three species, especially smallmouth bass. Employing top water presentations over shallow points and along the dam face early and late has been effective as well. Anglers are catching lots of fish in the 1.5 lb. range with a few 3 to 5 lb. fish mixed in. |
| Crappie | Fair/Good | Up to 15 inches | Trolling jigs and small crank baits or vertically fishing jigs or slab spoons over mainlake humps and points at depths of approximately 20 to 25 feet or vertically fishing jigs or small slab spoons over the fish attractors. Most fish have been in the 9 to 9.5 inches, but anglers have been able to manage a few fish in the 12 to 14 inch range. A 10 inch minimum length limit and 50 fish/angler/day creel limit is in effect on crappie harvest. |
| Walleye | Fair | Up to 28 inches | Casting swimbaits over mainlake points and submerged roadbeds has been good for a few fish. |
| White Bass/Wipers | Good | Whites up to 17 inches Wipers up to 13 lbs. | White Bass-Vertically fishing slab spoons over humps, points, and other structure in approximately 25 feet of water. Trolling crankbaits in 20 to 30 feet of water lake-wide has also been effective. Locating fish has been an important factor relative to success and reports indicate that Cove 4 west into Duck Flats has been the most reliable region of the reservoir to find fish. Wiper-No recent reports. |
| WATER TEMPERATURE-74 degrees F SURFACE ELEVATION- 2132.14 ft. above MSL-11.86 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: 9/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Good | 9-15 inches | Some fish may still be found in the brush piles and Georgia cube structures as well but many have begun to disperse from these 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. There have been good numbers of 14 to 15 inch crappie caught recently. |
| Walleye | Fair to Good | 11-25 inches | Anglers have been catching walleye around Walnut Creek in 5 to 15 feet of water, especially off German Point and toward the south end of the Cove. Other fish have been caught recently trolling along the north shore state park points. A few fish may be found around the springs and around the flats west of Gibbs Point. |
| Black Bass | Fair to Good | 12-20 inches | Smallmouth bass fishing is going strong 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. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | 15-30 inches | Catfish can be caught just about anywhere lakewide. The best numbers in the summer 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. Blue catfish can be found primarily around the Cawker City causeway and west as well as south of Granite Creek along the river channel in 25 to 30 feet of water. Anglers have caught a few blue catfish on set lines around Boller Point. Remember, there is a 35 inch length limit on blue catfish at Glen Elder. |
| White Bass | Good | 11-18 inches | Anglers can find these fish along the Cawker City causeway and on the dam throughout the fall. They can also be found on windblown points on the north shore with a strong south wind blowing in. Best baits include twister tails, roadrunners, and small spinnerbaits. There has been fantastic top water fishing near Sandy Beach recently with large schools of fish reported on calm mornings and evenings. |
|
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: 79°F Current Water Level: 0.2 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: 9/16/2021
KANOPOLIS RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 9/10/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | Good | 16 - 21" | Fishing cut and prepared baits along the river channel from the south boat ramp all the way to buzzard bay. Try deeper catfish humps and structure near bluffs. |
| Crappie | Fair | 10 to 14 inches | Try deeper structure and brush piles with 1/16 oz. jigs and live minnows. |
| Trout | No reports. | ||
| Saugeye | Fair | 14 - 22" | Wind blown points in the middle and lower ends of the reservoir are best. Also try shallow shoreline areas first thing in the morning. Shad imitating swimbaits and jigs tipped with minnows can be productive baits. |
| White Bass | Good | All sizes - up to 17 inches | Casting swimbaits, bucktail jigs, and Kastmaster spoons along wind blown points and shallow areas near the river channel (Buzzard Bay and/or Boldt Bluff). |
| Wiper | Fair | All sizes | Similar locations and baits as those used for white bass. |
| General Comment | |||
| Elevation: 5.1 feet above conservation pool. Water Temperature: 80 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: 9/2/2021
| 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 around Monkey island, 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. Trolling diving lures could also be productive. |
| 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. Setlines could also be productive using live bait. |
| 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 crankbaits and plastic imitations. |
| General Comments | |||
| WATER TEMPERATURE- 79° SURFACE ELEVATION- 2295.67 ---- 8.63 below conservation pool Currently, the water level is 2.18 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: 9/2/2021
| 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, also been hearing of fish being caught up in the coves using jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. |
| Walleye | Fair | 10 to 29 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught along the Dam, river channels and up on the flats using jigs and nightcrawlers. Trolling diving lures could also be productive. |
| White Bass/ Wiper | Good | 10 to 28 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught around the fish attractors and along the dam using jigs with twister tails, road runners and crankbaits. Would also look for them up to the west end of the reservoir. Also, watch for them surfacing as they feed on shad. |
| 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. Setlines could also be productive using live bait. |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | 12 to 22 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught. Therefore, 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- 79° SURFACE ELEVATION- 1726.43 ---- 2.82' below conservation pool Currently, the water level is 0.84' higher than it was one year ago, at this time. Releasing 120 cfs to the irrigation canal on 09-01-2021. Docks have been put back in at the North ramp and South shore ramp. The fish cleaning station has been opened. 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: 9/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Fair | 16-25 inches | In the fall walleye can be found around the main lake points on the north shore including Cabin Point, Cedar Point, and Walleye Point. Fish are caught between 6 and 16 feet of water throughout the fall using jigs and crawlers, swim baits, and crankbaits. |
| White Bass/Wipers | Fair to Good | 7-14 inches 15-25 inches | Anglers will find 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. Wipers are often found off the dam and along the creek channel on the lower half of the reservoir this time of year. Fish will also be found on the windblown points feeding on gizzard shad, especially around Cedar Point and Walleye Point. Recent reports indicate very good numbers of white bass are being caught off Cedar Point using jigs and roadrunners. |
| Crappie | Fair to Good | 8-14 inches | Anglers should target crappie in 8 to 15 feet of water. Some fish may still be found in the brush piles and Georgia cube structures as well. 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 | Good | 16 to 35 inches | Anglers can find catfish lakewide and they should be fairly easy to catch throughout the fall. Best baits to use include stinkbait, shad gizzards, shad sides, shrimp, and nightcrawlers. Anglers often report good catches of blue catfish near the 2-mile road area, near Oak Hill, and off Cabin Point. The Boy Scout Area and the drops near Walleye Point have produced well recently. 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: 79ºF Current water level: 4.4 feet above 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: 9/2/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURRENT FISHING | |||
| Largemouth Bass | Good | 6-21 inches | Anglers are catching fish lake wide using crankbaits and plastic imitations. |
| Bluegill | Good | 3-9 inches | Anglers are catching fish lake wide use worms under a bobber. |
| Catfish | Good | 10-25 inches | Would try using worms, stinkbait and shrimp on the bottom. |
| Black Crappie | Good | 5-12 inches | Catching them lake wide using jigs, jigs with worms and jigs with minnows. |
| General Comments | |||
| Water Temp. 78 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: 9/16/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Slow | Up to 13 inches | No recent reports. |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | Up to 5 lbs. | Casting swimbaits and soft plastics around shoreline brushpiles, along the dam, around the fishing piers, and around laydown trees. |
| Saugeye | Slow | Up to 3 lbs. | No recent reports. |
| Bluegill | Fair/Good | Up to 8 inches | Worms under a bobber around deeper brush or along rocky shorelines. |
| Channel Catfish | Fair/Good | Up to 19 lbs. | Stillfishing shrimp, liver, or prepared baits off the bottom has been productive lately. Anglers report catching fish mostly in the 1-3 lb. range. |
| Wiper | Slow | Up to 2 lbs. | No recent reports. |
| 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: 9/2/2021
| 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. Also been hearing of some being caught up in Old Marina and Rock Point coves. Jigs or jig's tipped with minnows have been productive. All 4 maintained fish attractors have had new trees added to them. |
| Walleye | Fair | 14 to 26 inches | Did have reports of fish being caught off the bank and up on the flats using jigs and night crawler's. Would also try trolling diving lures along the dam and river channels. |
| White Bass/Wiper | Good | 8 to 28 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. Also, been hearing of fish being caught trolling diving lures. Would also look for them surfacing while feeding on shad. |
| 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. Setlines could also be productive using live bait. |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | 12 to 22 inches | Did have reports of bass being caught. Therefore, would try in the coves, around the breakwaters and along the rocky areas using jig's, plastic bait's, crankbaits and spinner baits. |
| General Comments | |||
| WATER TEMPERATURE- 79° SURFACE ELEVATION- 1888.49 ---- 3.96' below conservation pool The water level is 1.53' lower 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. Releasing 0 cfs through the outlet channel. 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: 9/10/2021
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass | Fair | 7-25 pounds | Larger fish are relating to deeper water near Lucas campground, mouth of Marshall Cove, and towards the dam. Try trolling crankbaits, casting/jigging large bucktail jigs, or drifting live shad or sunfish along channel breaks. |
| Walleye | Fair | 18-25 inches | Trolling or casting crankbaits and swimbaits over mainlake points mainly from Minooka to the dam during early morning or late evening. |
| Blue/Channel Catfish | Good | 2-20 pounds | Channel Catfish) Channel cats are biting well and can be found very shallow to moderate depths. Try cut bait or dough bait. Blue Catfish) Some blue cats are still in the upper end of the river and Hell Creek but they are more scattered throughout the reservoir. Try fresh cutbait in 6-20 feet of water on river channel swings or flats near these swings. 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 | Casting shad imitating swimbaits and bucktail jigs over windblown points. |
| Black Bass | Fair | 12-20 inches | Casting swimbaits and soft plastics over rocky points has been good for both species, but especially smallmouth this past week. Casting un-weighted plastics along rocky bluffs has also been productive. |
| 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 = 0.55 feet above conservation pool. Surface Temperature = 75 to 80 degrees F BOAT RAMP UPDATE: All boat ramps are open. WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKETS and be courteous at boat ramps! We have two Aquatic Nuisance Species - white perch and zebra mussels and have joined Cheney and El Dorado as lakes with both species. The law now says that if anyone leaves the lake with water in your livewell or boat, you are subject to a ticket for transporting Zebra Mussels since they will spawn and the microscopic little mussels will probably be in every drop of water in the lake. Make sure you drain all water from the boat before you leave the boat ramp area!!! We have been taking veliger samples and the samples were high so be sure to drain and dry everything!!!!!! | |||