Southwest 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.

BARBER STATE FISHING LAKE - LOWER - Last Updated: 2/27/2024

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



CLARK STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 2/28/2024

 

 

Species Rating Sizes Possible Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie No report Up to 12 inches

Drifting jigs over deeper water in the main body of the lake or vertically fishing minnows, jigs, and slab spoons over the tops of the fish attractors and other deeper structures. 

Harvest regulations include 50/day creel limit.

Channel Catfish Slow Most in the 1 lb size range

Fishing cut bait or stink bait lake wide.

Harvest regulations is 5/day creel limit.

Largemouth bass No report Up to 4 lbs

Casting soft plastics, swimbaits and jerk baits around fish attractors, shoreline brush and vegetation along sun-warmed shorelines.

Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

Bluegill/Redear No report Up to 8 inches

Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush in deeper water.

There are no harvest restrictions at this time.

Walleye No report Up to 4 lbs

Casting crankbaits and swimbaits over points, shelves, and along rip-rapped shorelines adjacent to deeper water.

Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

White Bass

 

 

Fair Whites up to 17 inches Trolling crankbaits or vertically fishing slab spoons over the tops of fish attractors or prominent windblown main lake points and shelves.  Most of the larger white bass range from 12 to 17 inches..

 

Water temps should be in the hig 30s to low 40s.  We have received very few reports from anglers.  You may call the Dodge City Regional office as 620-227-8609 to make a report.   Regular reporting will resume in April of 2023.

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



HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 2/28/2024

 

 

Species Rating Sizes Possible Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie No report Up to 12 inches

Drifting jigs over deeper water in the main body of the lake or vertically fishing minnows, jigs, and slab spoons over the tops of the fish attractors and other deeper structures. 

Harvest regulations include 50/day creel limit.

Channel Catfish Slow Most in the 1 lb size range

Fishing cut bait or stink bait lake wide.

Harvest regulations are 5/day creel limit.

Largemouth bass No report Up to 4 lbs

Casting soft plastics, swimbaits and jerk baits around fish attractors, shoreline brush and vegetation along sun-warmed shorelines.

Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

Bluegill/Redear No report Up to 8 inches

Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush in deeper water.

There are no harvest restrictions at this time.

Walleye/saugeye No report Up to 4 lbs

Casting crankbaits and swimbaits over points, shelves, and along rip-rapped shorelines adjacent to deeper water.

Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

 

Water temps should be in the high 30s to low 40s.  We have received very few reports from anglers.  You may call the Dodge City Regional office as 620-227-8609 to make a report.   Regular reporting will resume in April of 2023.

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



MEADE STATE LAKE - Last Updated: 2/28/2024

 

Species Rating Sizes Possible Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie No report Up to 12 inches

Drifting jigs over deeper water in the main body of the lake or vertically fishing minnows, jigs, and slab spoons over the tops of the fish attractors and other deeper structures. 

Harvest regulations include 50/day creel limit.

Channel Catfish Slow Most in the 1 - 2 lb size range

Fishing cut bait or stink bait lake wide.

Harvest regulations are 5/day creel limit.

Largemouth bass No report Up to 4 lbs

Casting soft plastics, swimbaits and jerk baits around fish attractors, shoreline brush and vegetation along sun-warmed shorelines.

Harvest regulations include a 13 - 18 inch slot length limit and 5/day creel limit.

Bluegill/Redear No report Up to 8 inches

Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush in deeper water.

There are no harvest restrictions at this time.

Saugeye No report Up to 5 lbs

Casting crankbaits and swimbaits over points, shelves, and along rip-rapped shorelines adjacent to deeper water.

Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

 

Water temperature should be in the high 30s- low 40s.  We have received very few reports from anglers.  You may call the Dodge City Regional office as 620-227-8609 to make a report.   

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



PRATT COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 2/27/2024

 

Species Rating Sizes Possible Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie Poor to Fair  4-8" Try jigs or minnows near structure.  
Channel Catfish Fair  Most in the 1-2 lb size range but up to 7 lbs Fishing cut bait or stink bait lake wide on warmer days.
Largemouth bass Poor to Fair Up to 18 inches Try using soft plastics or jerk baits near rocks on warmer days.
Bluegill Poor Up to 8 inches Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush and rocks.
Walleye Poor to Fair Up to 21" Try large jigs, jerk baits, and crank baits near shallow rocks.
Wipers Poor Up to 18" Jigs, spoons, and crank baits around windblown points.



SCOTT STATE LAKE - Last Updated: 3/22/2024

Species Rating Size Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish Fair Most in the 13 to 18 inch range Still fishing cut bait on shallow, sun-warmed flats.
Crappie Fair Up to 15 inches Vertically fishing minnows and small slab spoons around deeper brush piles.
Largemouth Bass Slow Up to 5.5 lbs. Casting un-weighted swimbaits and other soft plastics that enable a slow presentation along sun-warmed rocky or brushy shorelines is best this time of year.
Sunfish Good Up to 8 inches Vertically fishing various presentations involving wax worms and nightcrawlers around deeper brushpiles.
Saugeye Fair/Good Up to 7 lbs. Fish should be spawning right now and anglers typically catch them casting brightly colored rapalas, swimbaits, or jigs along the dam face at night.
Rainbow Trout Good Up to 3 lbs.

The third and final stocking of the trout season occurred on 2-29-2024 as approximately 900 fish were stocked.

Still fishing power bait, corn, worms, marshmallows alone or in various combinations or casting small spoons and spinners are popular methods.  Casting various nymphs with a fly rod can be good too.

General Comments

Release all saugeye less than 18 inches and largemouth bass less than 15 inches.

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