| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill / Redear Sunfish | Good | 4-8 inches | Recent largemouth bass electrofishing surveys indicated that bluegill and redear sunfish are beginning to move up shallow to spawn. 7-9-inch bluegill and redear sunfish were observed in the shallows less than 4' of water in between the shoreline and the aquatic vegetation edge. Anglers should focus their efforts along the shoreline in depths less than 6' deep near submerged trees and edges of aquatic vegetation. Areas to pursue will be on the north and south ends of the dam, coves, and rocky habitats. A bobber and worm, fly rod with small flies, and 1/16 ounce jig with a twister tail will be good baits to try. |
| Channel catfish | Good | 15-36 inches | Channel catfish were observed during the largemouth bass electrofishing survey in less than 1' of water and congregated along the aquatic vegetation in shallow water. Channel catfish up to 12 pounds were observed with this effort. Anglers have reported channel catfish being caught in the coves and creek arms. Anglers from the shoreline should focus on the coves, both the north and south side of the dam, west end, and the handicap access on the south side of the lake near the boat ramp. Prepared baits, worms, cut or live bait will be good baits to try. Anglers from boats should focus on flats and near rock habitat. Cut and live bait are good baits to try. |
| Black Crappie | Fair | 8-14 inches | Black crappie were observed during the largemouth bass electrofishing survey in 6' to 8' of water in the preparation of the spawn. Last weekend, anglers reported catching crappie in less than 6' of water from 10-14 inches. Anglers should focus on submerged trees that are in 15-20' that are in close proximity to depth changes, or creek channels, during all times of the year. There are a variety of coves that will hold crappie during the spawn in the spring time. Live minnows under a bobber, spinners, or 1/8-1/16 ounch jigs with twister tails will all be good options. Fall sampling indicated a successful spawn and strong 2023 year class of Age-0 (2-3"), another 2022 year class of Age-1 crappie (9-9.5"), as well as crappie up to 14". Black Crappie are growing to 9.5 inches at the end of their second growing season, whereas in 2012, it took 6 years to reach 10-inches in Bone Creek. |
| Largemouth bass | Good |
8-12" - 60% 12-15" - 16% 15-20" - 23% | Largemouth bass can be found lakewide in a variety of habitats that are available at Bone Creek. Recent electrofishing surveys for Largemouth Bass indicated a more balanced population of fish from 4-inches to 20-inches being observed. Fry were observed, but also observed early stages of spawning activity on the southwestern portion of the lake. Each year class from 2016 to 2023 were observed during this effort. The population has improved in the last four years with recruitment being observed and strong year classes each in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Anglers should focus on the edges of vegetation that can be found along the shoreline and coves, as well as along the bank in vegetation and flooded terrestrial vegetation with the lake levels reaching full pool. There is an abundance of submerged trees in a range of depths that will also hold fish. The water clarity will affect fishing, depending on time of day, so don't hesitate to fish the trees that can be found in deeper water. Casting swimbaits, jigs, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits will be your best bet. Don't hesitate to throw the classic "ned rig" in the summertime when fish will be deeper and provide a chance at a strike. To bolster the current population and recruitment of Largemouth Bass at Bone Creek, the KDWP fisheries biologist has increased stocking efforts of Largemouth Bass. In 2019, 218, 377 (fry) were stocked when a hatchery surplus was available. In 2021, 13,500 phase II advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked. In April 2022, 260,000 (fry) were stocked when a hatchery surplus was available. In June 2022, 25,000 advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked. In June 2023, 25,000 advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked. During the week of and on June 4, 2024, 27,000 advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked into flooded habitat and aquatic vegetation. In total, 569,774 largemouth bass have been stocked since 2018. The KDWP fisheries biologist plans to request 27,000 phase II advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass in upcoming years to help bolster year classes and recruitment of Largemouth Bass. This is being evaluated with genetic fin clips to assess stock contribution. In addition to, it was proposed and passed to move from a 13-18" slot length limit to an 18" minimum length limit to protect the stocked fingerlings and naturally spawned Largemouth Bass to preferred lengths for bass anglers. This went into effect on January 1, 2022. |
| Saugeye | Good | 19-26 inches | Saugeye can be found on flats of 10-14 ft that is near deeper water of 20 feet and deeper at this time of the year. Any depth changes, or structure, will hold fish and can be caught by a variety of methods, such as trolling or vertical jigging. Anglers have reported catching saugeye near the dam on the east side of the lake on swimbaits, jigheads with plastics, and trolling crankbaits. The minimum length for Saugeye at Bone Creek is 18 inches and a daily creel of 5 fish per day! |
| General Comments | |||
| Water Temperature: 83° F, June 24, 2024 Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat, bait buckets, and recreational watercraft before and after launching your boat. It is important and by law 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, bighead carp and silver carp are all invasive species that can be found in Kansas. Be sure to stay up to date on information regarding Aquatic Nuisance Species. If you would like to provide a fishing report for Bone Creek Lake, don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173. | |||
