Elk City Reservoir Fishing Information
Independence, KS
Corps of Engineers (620) 331-6820
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Excellent | 8-14" | Crappie fishing has really turned on the past week. Crappie continue to bite well along the dam. Recent sampling has indicated that crappie have started to move shallow. Look for them near the rock fishing piers in the state park. Vertical jigging has been working along the dam. Minnows under a bobber is the best bait near shore. |
| Blue and channel catfish | Good | 18-26" | Catfishing remains good. Drift fishing the flats has been producing the most fish. Whole shad have been working best. |
| White Bass | Good | 10-14" | The white bass has picked up. Look for white bass to move near the shoreline in the evening to feed. Swim baits mimicking shad have been working best. |
| Outlet | Good | 12-20" | Water release has been decreased but is steady. Shad sides have been working best. |
| Blue catfish are currently managed with a 35-in minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit in hopes that they will establish a self-sustaining population. Water Level Current water levels and discharge can be viewed HERE. District Newsletter We have created a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that subscribe to it. This newsletter is for fishing information for the Independence District (Chautauqua, Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson counties) only. Youth/Mentor Pond The Elk City State Park Youth/Mentor pond is now open. The pond is open to anglers 15 and younger as well as their mentor. A mentor may take more than one youth fishing, but only one mentor may fish per youth they accompany. Two channel catfish can be harvested daily, but largemouth bass are catch and release only. See the park office for more information. | |||
| Fishing Population | Creel Limit | Min Length Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | ||
| Black Bullhead | ||
| Channel Catfish | 10 | |
| Crappie | 50 | |
| Flathead Catfish | 5 | |
| Green Sunfish | ||
| Largemouth Bass | 5 | 15 |
| Saugeye | 5 | 15 |
| White Bass | ||
| Blue Catfish | 5 | 35 |
* Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Bass in Combination
** Striped Bass or Wiper in Combination
*** Walleye, Sauger or Saugeye in Combination