Tuttle Creek Reservoir Fishing Information

Counties:

Pottawatomie, Riley

GPS:

N39 15.445 W96 34.77

Surface Acres:

10,900 acres

Maximum Depth:

50 feet

Normal Lake Level:

1075 mls

View Live Lake Information

Tuttle Creek Fishing Report - Updated: 09/05/2023

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method, and Location
Crappie	Fair to Good	1/2 to 2 pounds	The lake has provided excellent crappie fishing the last three years by maintaining a great population. The 2022 fall sample shows that numbers of crappie are still above the long-term average but the percentage of fish over 12-inches has fallen from the record high documented in 2021.
White Bass	Fair to Good	1/2 to 2 pounds	White bass numbers have been low due to limited spawning success for most of the last decade. The species did produce a robust spawn in 2021 which has helped bolster the fishery. The current population is offering decent numbers of white bass from 10 to 12 inches long.
Channel Catfish	Good	Good numbers of 20" fish with fair numbers of bigger ones.	The lake and the connected river system maintains a good channel catfish population and has been one of the best places around to catch channel cats over 8 pounds. The 2021 sampling effort collected the most channel catfish in nine years with 11% of them over 28 inches. The 2022 sample shows a reduction of those bigger fish but also shows a group of small fish growing fast which will hopefully fill that gap. Fishing in the upper end of the lake and the river tends to be the most consistent spots for channel cats. K-State is conducting a study to track fish movements and there are some channel catfish with a purple tag in their back - please release all fish with a purple tag.
Blue Catfish	Fair to Good	Most less than 28" but getting a few over 40 pounds	Blue are spread out around the lake right now but the upper end tends to concentrate the most fish. Fresh cut bait or young shad. New regulations starting in 2022: 10 fish daily creel limit which may include only one fish 30 inches or longer. The blue catfish population is finally becoming well established and is now able to support more harvest. Fair numbers of 22" to 28" blue catfish with a good group of 16" to 18" fish coming on. Please check any blue catfish for a yellow or orange tag in its back as we have been tagging fish to collect more information on the species in Tuttle Creek Lake. It is up to you if you wish to release the fish or harvest it (if legally applicable), but please report the tag number and the general location of the catch to (620) 342-0658 or ely.sprenkle@ks.gov We also have a few fish with a purple tag that have a transmitter for tracking their movements, PLEASE RELEASE FISH WITH A PURPLE TAG. A big THANK YOU to all who report their catch!
Largemouth Bass	Slow to Fair	1 to 5 pounds	Coves in southern third of the Reservoir have some locally good largemouth bass populations. The McIntyre Cove area tends to produce the best fishing with Carnahan Cove second best.
Saugeye	Fair to Good	Up to 6 pounds	Has been a good year for saugeye fishing from the record high numbers of young saugeye that recruited from the 2021 stocking. Fishing has been good in the Reservoir this year as these fish have started exceeding the 15" minimum length limit. Usually the best opportunities to harvest saugeye is downstream of the lake in the River Pond or Rocky Ford. Casting crankbaits, brightly colored jigs or dragging a worm. K-State is conducting a study to track fish movements and there are a few saugeye with a purple tag in their back - please release all fish with a purple tag.
General Comments
You can check current water conditions HERE Tuttle Creek has zebra mussels which makes the lake, the River Pond and Rocky Ford designated as Aquatic Nuisance Species waters. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS designated waters. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY all equipment when changing water bodies and please do not move fish you have caught or your bait.

Creel Length/Limits

Fishing Population	Creel Limit	Min Length Limit
Blue Catfish	10	only 1 Blue Catfish over 30"
Bluegill
Channel Catfish	10
Crappie	50
Flathead Catfish	5
Green Sunfish
Largemouth Bass	5	18
Saugeye	5	15
White Bass
Trout	5

* Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Bass in Combination
** Striped Bass or Wiper in Combination
*** Walleye, Sauger or Saugeye in Combination

Fishing Forecast Information

View Fishing Forecast definitions

+Saugeye Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
SAUGEYE
	(>14")	(>18")	(>22")	(lbs.)
	RES
SEBELIUS	10.77	3.63	0.17	5.67	G
COUNCIL GROVE	3.51	1.78	0.56	6.89	G
KANOPOLIS	2.07	1.10	0.20	5.74	G
CLINTON	0.40	0.04	0.00	2.72	G
TUTTLE CREEK	0.30	0.03	0.00	3.90	F
POMONA	0.23	0.00	0.00	2.10	F
WEBSTER	0.19	0.17	0.08	5.14	F
MELVERN	0.16	0.00	0.00	1.08	G

+Black Crappie Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
BLACK CRAPPIE
	(>8")	(>10")	(>12")	(lbs.)
	RES
SEBELIUS	29.67	15.60	1.47	1.64	G
CEDAR BLUFF	22.55	2.24	0.06	1.29	G
KIRWIN	12.02	11.19	5.92	2.06	G
WEBSTER	5.17	2.02	0.02	1.40	G
LOVEWELL	4.33	0.38	0.07	1.43	G
KANOPOLIS	3.50	2.39	0.44	1.43	G
MILFORD	2.77	0.81	0.02	1.63	F
GLEN ELDER	1.94	1.55	0.17	1.26	G
HILLSDALE	1.33	0.29	0.06	1.36	G
CLINTON	1.30	0.93	0.04	1.10	P
MARION	1.25	0.50	0.25	1.31	P
BIG HILL	0.63	0.13	0.07	0.92	P
WILSON	0.62	0.22	0.11	1.68	P
JOHN REDMOND	0.48	0.10	0.03	1.29	P
PERRY	0.35	0.11	0.00	0.81	P
TORONTO	0.28	0.15	0.04	1.19	P
WOLF CREEK	0.17	0.06	0.06	1.39	P
EL DORADO	0.14	0.07	0.02	1.19	P
FALL RIVER	0.10	0.08	0.02	1.14	P
POMONA	0.10	0.06	0.00	0.66	P
TUTTLE CREEK	0.04	0.02	0.02	1.17	P
CHENEY	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.20	P
ELK CITY	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.13	P

+Bluegill Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
BLUEGILL
	(>6")	(>8")	(>10")	(lbs.)
	RES
SEBELIUS	56.50	6.07	0.00	0.63	G
CEDAR BLUFF	23.14	0.20	0.00	0.41	G
KANOPOLIS	8.00	0.00	0.00	0.39	G
WILSON	7.00	0.04	0.00	0.34	G
WEBSTER	5.29	0.25	0.00	0.50	G
HILLSDALE	4.92	0.04	0.00	0.46	G
BIG HILL	3.00	0.00	0.00	0.34	F
LOVEWELL	2.98	0.00	0.00	0.32	F
LACYGNE	2.29	0.02	0.02	0.35	G
CLINTON	2.17	0.02	0.02	0.34	F
PERRY	1.39	0.00	0.00	0.34	F
KIRWIN	1.10	0.06	0.00	0.59	F
GLEN ELDER	1.03	0.20	0.06	0.70	F
MILFORD	0.96	0.13	0.00	0.47	F
MELVERN	0.80	0.05	0.02	0.37	P
FALL RIVER	0.48	0.00	0.00	0.27	P
POMONA	0.46	0.02	0.02	0.43	G
CHENEY	0.40	0.00	0.00	0.22	P
EL DORADO	0.34	0.00	0.00	0.23	P
WOLF CREEK	0.30	0.00	0.00	0.18	P
COUNCIL GROVE	0.17	0.00	0.00	0.21	P
TORONTO	0.13	0.00	0.00	0.23	P
TUTTLE CREEK	0.13	0.00	0.00	0.35	P
JOHN REDMOND	0.08	0.00	0.00	0.18	P
ELK CITY	0.02	0.00	0.00	0.16	P

+Channel Catfish Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
CHANNEL CATFISH
	(>16")	(>24")	(>28")	(lbs.)
	RES
LOVEWELL	6.11	0.96	0.13	13.83	G
HILLSDALE	5.81	0.22	0.06	10.62	G
BIG HILL	5.47	0.63	0.03	8.60	G
MARION	5.36	0.20	0.02	5.48	G
TORONTO	3.75	2.36	0.53	12.78	G
KANOPOLIS	3.70	0.48	0.00	6.54	G
ELK CITY	3.11	0.47	0.03	8.42	G
WILSON	2.76	0.48	0.03	10.11	G
PERRY	2.54	0.65	0.14	12.70	G
MELVERN	2.46	0.30	0.06	11.45	G
CLINTON	2.45	0.09	0.00	6.06	G
CHENEY	2.29	0.51	0.09	14.81	G
LACYGNE	2.27	0.02	0.00	7.26	G
GLEN ELDER	1.94	0.45	0.17	16.60	G
POMONA	1.51	0.09	0.06	11.96	G
FALL RIVER	1.43	1.06	0.37	14.53	G
WEBSTER	1.28	0.08	0.03	10.64	F
KIRWIN	1.22	0.33	0.08	11.23	F
COUNCIL GROVE	1.18	0.20	0.04	7.59	F
JOHN REDMOND	0.98	0.24	0.10	14.02	F
CEDAR BLUFF	0.90	0.12	0.04	14.15	F
WOLF CREEK	0.81	0.00	0.00	4.16	F
TUTTLE CREEK	0.75	0.12	0.07	14.31	F
EL DORADO	0.67	0.02	0.00	5.39	F
MILFORD	0.30	0.03	0.02	9.23	F
SEBELIUS	0.17	0.10	0.10	22.56	F

+White Bass Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
WHITE BASS
	(>9")	(>12")	(>15")	(lbs.)
	RES
GLEN ELDER	19.40	15.73	3.22	3.49	E
MARION	15.40	9.84	0.40	1.87	E
KANOPOLIS	10.74	5.05	0.49	2.86	G
CEDAR BLUFF	8.56	7.87	2.47	2.49	G
PERRY	8.42	4.26	0.33	2.51	G
CLINTON	8.00	7.17	0.83	2.31	G
WEBSTER	6.39	4.19	0.11	2.73	G
POMONA	6.26	3.31	0.14	1.88	G
JOHN REDMOND	5.75	4.85	1.19	3.12	G
HILLSDALE	4.75	2.03	0.08	1.66	G
MILFORD	4.50	2.73	0.17	1.91	G
TORONTO	4.36	3.44	1.36	2.85	G
KIRWIN	3.94	3.39	0.72	2.64	G
FALL RIVER	3.94	2.77	1.00	3.29	G
LOVEWELL	3.46	2.09	0.37	2.15	G
EL DORADO	3.27	1.42	0.38	2.01	G
BIG HILL	2.87	2.43	0.27	2.35	G
MELVERN	2.82	2.28	0.32	2.34	G
WOLF CREEK	2.78	2.13	0.43	1.72	F
LACYGNE	2.75	1.66	0.39	2.88	G
WILSON	2.72	2.22	0.88	2.96	F
COUNCIL GROVE	2.16	1.33	0.18	2.23	F
CHENEY	1.67	1.45	0.59	2.58	F
TUTTLE CREEK	0.27	0.07	0.03	2.96	F
ELK CITY	0.25	0.17	0.03	1.94	F

+Percids Combined Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	3 yr avg	Size	Rating
Sebelius Reservoir	12.40	2.50	0.00	9.43	Reservoir	Good
Wilson Reservoir	8.70	3.97	0.70	6.72	Reservoir	Excellent
Cedar Bluff Reservoir	4.04	0.54	0.00	4.00	Reservoir	Good
Perry Reservoir	3.96	0.65	0.22	2.25	Reservoir	Excellent
Kirwin Reservoir	2.92	0.67	0.25	2.97	Reservoir	Good
Milford Reservoir	2.60	0.45	0.05	2.05	Reservoir	Fair
El Dorado Reservoir	2.53	1.40	0.13	2.22	Reservoir	Good
Marion Reservoir	2.40	0.07	0.00	1.73	Reservoir	Good
Glen Elder Reservoir	2.04	0.42	0.00	3.15	Reservoir	Good
Webster Reservoir	2.00	0.67	0.25	2.03	Reservoir	Good
Council Grove Reservoir	1.93	1.71	0.50	1.82	Reservoir	Fair
Clinton Reservoir	1.75	0.88	0.13	1.29	Reservoir	Fair
Cheney Reservoir	1.70	1.19	0.11	1.31	Reservoir	Fair
Kanopolis Reservoir	1.43	0.48	0.19	3.74	Reservoir	Fair
Lovewell Reservoir	1.15	0.30	0.05	0.83	Reservoir	Fair
Melvern Reservoir	1.10	0.45	0.10	0.95	Reservoir	Fair
Horsethief Reservoir	0.80	0.60	0.00	1.23	Reservoir	Fair
Wolf Creek Reservoir	0.70	0.30	0.00	0.53	Reservoir	Fair
Hillsdale Reservoir	0.33	0.08	0.00	0.42	Reservoir	Good
Pomona Reservoir	0.29	0.14	0.00	0.18	Reservoir	Fair
Tuttle Creek Reservoir	0.05	0.00	0.00	0.05	Reservoir	Poor
Big Hill Reservoir	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	Reservoir	Poor

+Temperate Basses Combined Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	3 yr avg	Size	Rating
Glen Elder Reservoir	22.83	15.33	3.38	20.35	Reservoir	Excellent
Webster Reservoir	17.08	5.42	0.17	11.31	Reservoir	Good
Clinton Reservoir	16.38	12.13	1.31	10.56	Reservoir	Good
Kanopolis Reservoir	15.19	3.33	0.76	16.19	Reservoir	Good
Marion Reservoir	11.60	3.60	0.20	11.84	Reservoir	Good
John Redmond Reservoir	10.00	8.57	0.95	7.92	Reservoir	Good
Hillsdale Reservoir	9.42	2.08	0.17	3.89	Reservoir	Good
Milford Reservoir	8.35	1.50	0.10	7.78	Reservoir	Good
Sebelius Reservoir	7.80	0.80	0.10	7.03	Reservoir	Good
Cedar Bluff Reservoir	7.71	7.58	2.63	8.74	Reservoir	Good
Cheney Reservoir	6.00	4.63	1.15	6.27	Reservoir	Good
El Dorado Reservoir	5.47	3.93	0.47	5.49	Reservoir	Good
Pomona Reservoir	5.29	2.43	0.00	3.49	Reservoir	Good
Perry Reservoir	5.17	1.57	0.35	2.97	Reservoir	Good
Kirwin Reservoir	5.00	2.17	0.75	5.96	Reservoir	Good
Big Hill Reservoir	4.30	3.90	0.60	3.33	Reservoir	Good
Wilson Reservoir	4.13	2.73	1.20	2.74	Reservoir	Good
Toronto Reservoir	2.58	2.42	0.25	2.37	Reservoir	Fair
Wolf Creek Reservoir	2.50	2.30	0.50	2.26	Reservoir	Good
Lovewell Reservoir	2.15	1.45	0.35	5.66	Reservoir	Fair
Fall River Reservoir	1.92	1.42	0.75	5.29	Reservoir	Fair
LaCygne Reservoir	0.57	0.50	0.21	3.08	Reservoir	Good
Melvern Reservoir	0.50	0.50	0.10	4.06	Reservoir	Fair
Council Grove Reservoir	0.29	0.14	0.00	1.72	Reservoir	Poor
Tuttle Creek Reservoir	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.05	Reservoir	Poor
Elk City Reservoir	0.00	0.00	0.00	4.54	Reservoir	Fair

+Crappie Combined Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	3 yr avg	Size	Rating
Pomona Reservoir	23.83	6.83	1.89	19.80	Reservoir	Excellent
Cedar Bluff Reservoir	20.22	2.17	0.00	9.11	Reservoir	Good
Marion Reservoir	17.13	4.13	1.50	12.84	Reservoir	Good
Lovewell Reservoir	14.00	2.50	0.36	33.17	Reservoir	Good
Kirwin Reservoir	13.88	12.00	3.88	18.81	Reservoir	Good
Hillsdale Reservoir	12.56	7.88	1.31	20.98	Reservoir	Good
Tuttle Creek Reservoir	11.81	10.25	1.25	11.81	Reservoir	Excellent
Sebelius Reservoir	11.60	6.20	0.40	14.87	Reservoir	Good
Melvern Reservoir	9.94	6.75	0.63	11.60	Reservoir	Good
El Dorado Reservoir	9.88	8.63	3.63	7.51	Reservoir	Good
Glen Elder Reservoir	7.79	4.08	0.54	9.93	Reservoir	Good
Webster Reservoir	7.38	2.31	0.00	9.02	Reservoir	Good
Toronto Reservoir	6.38	2.50	0.81	8.15	Reservoir	Good
Big Hill Reservoir	5.70	2.60	0.70	5.00	Reservoir	Good
Milford Reservoir	5.56	4.13	1.38	5.56	Reservoir	Good
Perry Reservoir	5.50	4.56	0.67	13.59	Reservoir
Wolf Creek Reservoir	5.00	2.29	0.41	4.94	Reservoir	Fair
Horsethief Reservoir	4.40	0.00	0.00	6.80	Reservoir	Fair
Fall River Reservoir	4.19	0.81	0.63	5.47	Reservoir	Good
Council Grove Reservoir	3.62	2.62	0.92	5.07	Reservoir	Good
Kanopolis Reservoir	2.92	1.58	0.17	7.56	Reservoir	Good
Clinton Reservoir	2.75	1.94	0.25	18.31	Reservoir	Fair
Cheney Reservoir	2.40	1.40	0.00	2.40	Reservoir	Fair
LaCygne Reservoir	1.62	0.94	0.31	3.10	Reservoir	Good
John Redmond Reservoir	1.44	1.13	0.13	4.13	Reservoir	Fair
Elk City Reservoir	1.00	0.44	0.44	7.16	Reservoir	Good
Wilson Reservoir	0.53	0.53	0.20	1.09	Reservoir	Fair

+Blue Catfish Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
BLUE CATFISH
	(>20")	(>30")	(>35")	(lbs.)
	RES
EL DORADO	91.22	0.60	0.00	12.60	G
ELK CITY	66.42	5.60	0.37	22.90	G
JOHN REDMOND	60.12	0.45	0.45	22.03	F
TUTTLE CREEK	55.26	8.99	1.41	24.45	G
LOVEWELL	45.57	29.49	6.31	30.55	G
MILFORD	41.13	8.71	6.00	43.98	G
GLEN ELDER	24.84	6.32	3.04	32.07	G
CHENEY	17.58	15.91	9.03	47.14	F
MELVERN	11.48	2.38	0.20	19.43	F
WOLF CREEK	8.93	2.15	0.45	38.00	F
CLINTON	7.65	2.94	0.68	30.84	F
KANOPOLIS	5.95	0.00	0.00	5.53	F
WILSON	4.35	2.28	0.22	26.45	G

+White Crappie Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
WHITE CRAPPIE
	(>8")	(>10")	(>12")	(lbs.)
	RES
LOVEWELL	23.81	8.74	0.83	2.50	E
MELVERN	22.73	10.07	1.34	1.61	E
HILLSDALE	18.94	9.56	1.21	1.49	G
MARION	15.88	3.63	1.25	1.59	G
PERRY	12.39	5.54	0.54	1.42	G
ELK CITY	9.96	2.90	1.02	2.40	G
TORONTO	8.91	6.13	1.89	2.40	G
TUTTLE CREEK	8.63	6.38	1.19	1.69	G
WOLF CREEK	7.34	2.85	0.45	1.64	F
BIG HILL	7.27	3.43	0.37	1.04	G
EL DORADO	7.23	4.52	1.82	2.10	G
CLINTON	6.93	2.28	0.20	1.16	G
COUNCIL GROVE	6.69	3.86	1.53	1.87	G
FALL RIVER	5.02	1.81	0.48	2.58	G
MILFORD	5.00	3.71	0.75	1.95	G
LACYGNE	4.17	1.27	0.15	2.30	G
POMONA	3.44	2.06	0.10	1.73	G
GLEN ELDER	3.41	0.91	0.42	2.02	G
CHENEY	2.40	1.40	0.00	0.73	G
KANOPOLIS	1.81	0.58	0.08	2.25	G
SEBELIUS	1.67	1.10	0.50	1.43	G
WEBSTER	1.60	1.06	0.13	1.79	G
JOHN REDMOND	1.13	0.83	0.18	3.04	F
CEDAR BLUFF	0.73	0.73	0.16	1.14	F
KIRWIN	0.63	0.29	0.27	1.97	G
WILSON	0.09	0.09	0.02	1.12	P

Stocking Records Information

+Paddlefish Stocking

Impoundment	Size Requested	Stocking Date	Quantity Delivered	Impoundment Code	Species	Stocking Year
Tuttle Creek Reservoir	INTERMEDIATES	8/24/2022	4394	TCRR	PADDLEFISH	2022
Pomona Reservoir	INTERMEDIATES	8/24/2022	4157	POMR	PADDLEFISH	2022
Perry Reservoir	INTERMEDIATES	8/24/2022	4267	PERR	PADDLEFISH	2022

+Saugeye Stocking

Impoundment	Size Requested	Stocking Date	Quantity Delivered	Impoundment Code	Species	Stocking Year
POTTAWATOMIE SFL #2	FRY	4/19/2022	200000	PTSB	Saugeye	2022
CENTRALIA CITY LAKE	FRY	4/19/2022	500000	CTCL	Saugeye	2022
Tuttle Creek Reservoir	FRY	4/15/2022	1300000	TCRR	Saugeye	2022
Tuttle Creek Reservoir	FRY	4/19/2022	1200000	TCRR	Saugeye	2022
Council Grove Reservoir	FRY	4/19/2022	1200000	CGRR	Saugeye	2022
OTTAWA STATE FISHING LAKE	FRY	4/19/2022	200000	OTSL	Saugeye	2022
Altamont - Idle Hour Lake - City Lake West	FRY	4/19/2022	14000	ALCB	Saugeye	2022
Altamont - Idle Hour Lake - City Lake East	FRY	4/19/2022	23000	ALCA	Saugeye	2022
McPherson State Fishing Lake	FRY	4/19/2022	100000	MPSL	Saugeye	2022
Paola City Lake - Lake Miola	FRY	4/11/2022	400000	POCL	Saugeye	2022
PARSONS CITY LAKE	FRY	4/14/2022	200000	PACA	Saugeye	2022
PARSONS CITY LAKE	FRY	4/11/2022	400000	PACA	Saugeye	2022
PARSONS CITY LAKE	FRY	4/19/2022	400000	PACA	Saugeye	2022
LEBO CITY LAKE	FRY	4/19/2022	100000	LECL	Saugeye	2022
GARNETT CITY LAKE-NORTH	FRY	4/19/2022	100000	GNCA	Saugeye	2022

Northeast Region	Fort Riley Moon Lake	Fort Riley Cameron Springs	Tuttle Creek Willow Lake	Eisenhower State Park Pond	Clinton State Park Lake Henry
1st Stocking Dec.
2nd Stocking Jan.
3rd Stocking Feb.

Total Estimated Trout Stocked for 2023-2024 Season	4,743 trout	3,825 trout	4,743 trout	765 trout	2,142 trout

Northeast Region	Herington Father Padilla Pond 785-258-2271	Shawnee County Lake Shawnee 785-251-6800	Holton Elkhorn Lake 785-364-2721	Atchison City Lake #1 913-367-5500
1st Stocking
2nd Stocking

Total Estimated Trout Stocked for 2023-24 Season		17,000 trout

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