Melvern Reservoir Fishing Information

Counties:

Osage

GPS:

N38 31.72 W95 44.70

Surface Acres:

7,000 acres

Maximum Depth:

60 feet

Normal Lake Level:

1036 msl

Current Lake Level:

1036.03 - Discharge of 20 csf

Lake Temperature:

51 F.

35 miles S of Topeka on US-75

US Army Corps of Engineers - Melvern Reservoir (785) 549-3318

Melvern Reservoir Fishing Report - Updated: 05/20/2025

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method & Location

Crappie

Good

up to 15 inches

Crappies are done spawning but some fish can still be found in the shallows. Most crappie will concentrate around brush piles in 10-20ft. Jigs and/or minnows with a slip bobber produce bites.

White Bass

Fair

up to 16 inches

White Bass can be found in schools near drop-offs and river channel edges. Spoons, crankbaits, or jigs will produce bites.

Walleye/Saugeye/Sauger

Good

15-20 inches

Walleye can be found on mudflats near channel edges in 10-15ft. Slow trolling night crawlers or casting jigs are effective techniques.

Catfish

Good

up to 40lbs.

Blue Catfish can be caught near river channels and wind-blown shorelines. Cut bait produces the most bites. Channel Catfish are spawning and can be found on rocky shorelines, creeks, and timber. Nightcrawlers produce bites.

Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass

Good

1-5 lb

Bass are preparing to spawn by making spawning beds in the shallows near structure. Tube jigs or plastics that imitate crayfish will produce bites.

General Comments

Spring -Summer Fishing Summary:

Many sport fish species have completed their annual spawn. Species such as catfish and bass will continue to display spawning activity in the coming weeks. Shore fishing should remain good until water temperatures reach summer peak, when fish typically move to deeper offshore structure. Raising water levels and high inflows can have mixed effects on fishing conditions. Fish may concentrate on creeks and river mouths where inflows enter the lake. Fish can be in the shallows, taking advantage of newly submerged terrestrial habitat.

NEW BLUE CATFISH HARVEST REGULATIONS

10 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish 30" or longer

Fisheries biologists continue to study Kansas blue catfish and the research is showing reservoirs with lower population densities exhibit the best growth rates which equates to greater numbers of larger fish available to anglers. Growth rates of blue catfish are variable across Kansas. Time required for a blue catfish to reach 30 inches is as short as 8 years at Tuttle Creek Reservoir to as long as 14 years at El Dorado Reservoir. Due to the time required to grow to larger sizes, these older and larger fish are quite valuable. Angler harvest is necessary to provide desired densities and harvest should be focused upon smaller blue catfish, especially those in the 18 to 25 inch range while releasing the larger fish to fight again.

NEW RESEARCH RESULTS

Saugeye were introduced in 2021 as part of a four year study. Equal numbers of Walleye and Saugeye were stocked to provide an equitable comparison. Saugeye outperformed Walleye nearly 10 to 1. The success of Saugeye provided great return on stocking investment and increased angler success.

Fish stockings in 2025: Saugeye, Sauger, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass

Water level and discharge:

Current conditions can be found at:

https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Melvern-Lake/Daily-Lake-Info-2/

Invasive Species:

Melvern Reservoir has Zebra Mussels. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your watercraft to prevent the spread of invasive species. Do not transport live bait captured from Melvern Reservoir.

Contact Information:

If you would like to contribute to future fishing reports or have questions about the fish populations, please email the Fisheries Biologist at: jim.miazga@ks.gov

Creel Length/Limits

Fishing Population	Creel Limit	Min Length Limit
Bluegill
Channel Catfish	10
Crappie	20	10
Flathead Catfish	5
Green Sunfish
Largemouth Bass	5	18
Smallmouth Bass	5	18
Spotted Bass	5	18
Walleye	5	18
Blue Catfish	10	Only 1 fish 30-inches or longer
Sauger	5	18
Saugeye	5	18

* 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

NAME	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
	(>14")	(>18")	(>22")	(lbs.)	BR
SEBELIUS	9.17	3.57	0.57	6.41	G
COUNCIL GROVE	3.16	2.02	0.36	6.87	G
POMONA	1.75	0.38	0.00	3.39	G
KANOPOLIS	1.62	0.72	0.17	6.78	G
MELVERN	1.41	0.04	0.00	2.09	F
CLINTON	1.35	0.08	0.00	2.26	G
TUTTLE CREEK	0.91	0.25	0.02	4.81	F
WEBSTER	0.15	0.15	0.09	4.48	F
ELK CITY	0.03	0.00	0.00	1.11	F

+Largemouth Bass Forecast

NAME	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
	(>12")	(>15")	(>20")	(lbs.)	BR
SEBELIUS	230.02	77.82	0.62	5.24	G
WILSON	42.91	33.66	0.32	5.63	G
WEBSTER	30.51	22.88	0.00	3.80	F
BIG HILL	28.78	10.71	0.89	6.81	G
CEDAR BLUFF	24.79	8.51	0.24	6.52	G
KIRWIN	21.48	18.47	0.00	3.72	G
LACYGNE	16.98	12.54	1.80	7.91	G
MILFORD	8.73	2.29	0.00	4.21	F
GLEN ELDER	7.59	6.51	0.07	3.70	F
MELVERN	7.04	1.43	0.00	2.03	P
WOLF CREEK	6.94	4.78	0.58	5.49	P
EL DORADO	6.23	3.43	0.20	4.42	P
CLINTON	5.52	2.11	0.00	4.75	P
PERRY	4.09	2.12	0.30	6.00	P
HILLSDALE	1.91	1.47	0.00	2.99	P
TORONTO	1.50	1.50	0.00	3.71	P

+Walleye Forecast

NAME	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
	(>15")	(>20")	(>25")	(lbs.)	BR
MARION	3.54	0.46	0.00	4.65	G
KIRWIN	2.92	0.44	0.03	6.44	G
EL DORADO	2.65	1.10	0.08	7.08	G
WEBSTER	2.59	0.88	0.06	6.32	G
CEDAR BLUFF	2.53	0.55	0.02	6.13	G
MILFORD	2.20	0.42	0.00	5.34	G
WILSON	1.98	1.03	0.04	6.41	G
GLEN ELDER	1.86	0.27	0.03	6.61	F
HILLSDALE	1.19	0.40	0.10	7.06	G
CHENEY	1.05	0.55	0.10	6.79	P
WOLF CREEK	0.81	0.31	0.04	6.56	F
LOVEWELL	0.76	0.38	0.00	5.56	F
POMONA	0.40	0.13	0.00	4.16	F
MELVERN	0.37	0.02	0.00	4.45	F
CLINTON	0.37	0.06	0.02	8.37	F
BIG HILL	0.20	0.03	0.00	4.85	F
KANOPOLIS	0.08	0.02	0.00	5.83	P

+Black Crappie Forecast

NAME	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
	(>8")	(>10")	(>12")	(lbs.)	BR
CEDAR BLUFF	14.18	5.02	0.12	1.29	G
SEBELIUS	8.87	6.40	1.23	1.33	G
KIRWIN	3.27	3.19	1.81	1.94	G
KANOPOLIS	3.00	2.47	0.58	1.27	G
WEBSTER	2.95	1.50	0.02	1.40	G
MARION	2.62	0.85	0.08	1.09	F
LOVEWELL	1.51	0.76	0.07	1.43	F
HILLSDALE	1.36	0.23	0.00	0.56	G
JOHN REDMOND	1.33	0.08	0.08	1.29	P
MILFORD	1.15	0.90	0.06	2.07	F
BIG HILL	0.73	0.13	0.00	0.53	F
CLINTON	0.71	0.51	0.02	0.93	F
GLEN ELDER	0.52	0.30	0.07	1.11	F
TORONTO	0.38	0.19	0.06	1.26	P
WOLF CREEK	0.33	0.00	0.00	0.39	P
POMONA	0.30	0.13	0.05	1.44	P
PERRY	0.25	0.13	0.03	1.60	P
WILSON	0.22	0.20	0.07	1.68	P
LACYGNE	0.21	0.12	0.00	0.93	P
FALL RIVER	0.08	0.08	0.02	1.14	P
TUTTLE CREEK	0.07	0.05	0.02	1.09	P
EL DORADO	0.06	0.00	0.00	0.31	P
MELVERN	0.04	0.02	0.00	0.63	P
COUNCIL GROVE	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.07	P
ELK CITY	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.05	P

+Bluegill Forecast

NAME	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
	(>6")	(>8")	(>10")	(lbs.)	BR
SEBELIUS	27.13	8.40	0.00	0.64	G
CEDAR BLUFF	8.82	0.12	0.00	0.40	F
HILLSDALE	4.75	0.02	0.00	0.34	G
LACYGNE	4.47	0.00	0.00	0.31	P
BIG HILL	4.23	0.10	0.00	0.36	G
KANOPOLIS	3.42	0.03	0.00	0.39	G
WEBSTER	2.69	0.57	0.00	0.60	F
MILFORD	2.31	0.44	0.00	0.52	F
CLINTON	1.83	0.10	0.00	0.52	F
LOVEWELL	1.17	0.05	0.00	0.43	P
WILSON	0.96	0.00	0.00	0.28	G
PERRY	0.88	0.00	0.00	0.32	F
MARION	0.62	0.00	0.00	0.39	P
WOLF CREEK	0.60	0.00	0.00	0.18	P
EL DORADO	0.56	0.00	0.00	0.23	P
MELVERN	0.40	0.02	0.00	0.37	P
TUTTLE CREEK	0.36	0.00	0.00	0.25	P
POMONA	0.35	0.00	0.00	0.22	P
GLEN ELDER	0.34	0.14	0.00	0.70	P
KIRWIN	0.33	0.04	0.00	0.52	F
FALL RIVER	0.19	0.00	0.00	0.25	P
COUNCIL GROVE	0.17	0.00	0.00	0.22	F
TORONTO	0.13	0.00	0.00	0.23	P
ELK CITY	0.03	0.00	0.00	0.22	P

+Channel Catfish Forecast

NAME	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
	(>16")	(>24")	(>28")	(lbs.)	BR
BIG HILL	8.07	0.77	0.10	9.05	G
LOVEWELL	6.36	1.05	0.11	11.81	G
HILLSDALE	5.74	0.64	0.07	11.01	G
KANOPOLIS	4.00	0.43	0.02	9.93	G
MARION	3.69	0.23	0.06	18.72	G
WILSON	3.40	0.48	0.02	10.11	G
CHENEY	2.70	0.50	0.10	14.81	G
TORONTO	2.69	1.86	0.47	11.33	G
FALL RIVER	2.10	1.58	0.68	11.21	G
PERRY	1.94	0.41	0.04	7.93	G
MELVERN	1.87	0.11	0.02	6.48	G
GLEN ELDER	1.86	0.47	0.16	16.60	G
LACYGNE	1.78	0.00	0.00	4.52	G
POMONA	1.65	0.03	0.03	11.96	G
COUNCIL GROVE	1.53	0.20	0.09	9.41	F
CEDAR BLUFF	1.50	0.35	0.05	14.15	G
CLINTON	1.29	0.17	0.00	5.86	G
WEBSTER	1.21	0.21	0.00	8.39	F
KIRWIN	1.19	0.22	0.03	10.72	G
ELK CITY	1.17	0.10	0.00	5.37	G
JOHN REDMOND	1.13	0.33	0.05	9.59	G
EL DORADO	0.70	0.00	0.00	3.84	F
TUTTLE CREEK	0.47	0.13	0.04	8.59	F
MILFORD	0.45	0.05	0.00	5.21	F
WOLF CREEK	0.38	0.00	0.00	3.50	G
SEBELIUS	0.37	0.23	0.17	22.56	G

+White Bass Forecast

NAME	Density	Preferred	Lunker	Big fish	Bio rating
	(>9")	(>12")	(>15")	(lbs.)	BR
MARION	20.74	11.60	0.43	1.87	E
GLEN ELDER	16.05	13.77	3.38	3.07	E
CEDAR BLUFF	14.66	14.16	3.66	2.25	E
WEBSTER	10.50	7.29	0.09	2.73	G
POMONA	9.18	6.30	0.80	2.20	G
KANOPOLIS	6.87	5.80	0.37	2.47	G
PERRY	6.78	4.45	0.18	2.20	G
TORONTO	6.39	4.14	1.58	2.69	G
KIRWIN	6.25	5.25	0.64	2.18	G
WOLF CREEK	5.62	2.73	0.17	1.98	G
CLINTON	5.54	3.56	0.85	2.32	G
MILFORD	5.22	4.47	0.58	2.13	G
FALL RIVER	4.26	3.00	1.13	3.02	G
LOVEWELL	3.80	2.38	0.25	2.26	F
BIG HILL	3.50	2.10	0.00	1.73	G
MELVERN	2.98	2.50	0.37	2.38	G
COUNCIL GROVE	2.98	1.62	0.18	2.23	G
WILSON	2.64	2.52	1.52	2.96	G
JOHN REDMOND	2.63	1.70	0.82	3.24	G
HILLSDALE	2.52	1.95	0.10	1.43	G
LACYGNE	2.49	0.27	0.12	1.81	G
EL DORADO	2.05	1.60	0.33	2.47	F
ELK CITY	1.90	1.33	0.23	2.80	F
TUTTLE CREEK	0.31	0.18	0.02	1.96	P
CHENEY	0.20	0.20	0.10	2.09	P

+Black Bass Combined Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	3 yr avg	Size	Rating
Sebelius Reservoir	267.22	82.69	1.03	5.24	Reservoir	G
Wilson Reservoir	62.91	44.38	0.39	5.63	Reservoir	G
Webster Reservoir	45.72	29.11	0.00	3.80	Reservoir	F
Big Hill Reservoir	38.62	16.46	0.64	6.81	Reservoir	G
Kirwin Reservoir	37.30	28.81	0.00	3.72	Reservoir	F
LaCygne Reservoir	35.01	26.89	1.96	7.70	Reservoir	G
Melvern Reservoir	25.37	6.34	0.00	2.86	Reservoir	G
Cedar Bluff Reservoir	22.06	7.49	0.09	5.83	Reservoir	G
Glen Elder Reservoir	20.90	11.69	0.07	4.92	Reservoir	G
Kanopolis Reservoir	17.03	2.14	0.53	4.85	Reservoir	F
Milford Reservoir	15.89	3.94	0.00	4.21	Reservoir	F
El Dorado Reservoir	12.86	5.36	0.21	3.94	Reservoir	F
Wolf Creek Reservoir	12.44	9.42	0.79	5.49	Reservoir	F
Clinton Reservoir	9.56	3.75	0.00	4.75	Reservoir	F
Perry Reservoir	4.74	2.70	0.27	6.00	Reservoir	P
Lovewell Reservoir	2.94	2.35	0.00	4.56	Reservoir	P
Hillsdale Reservoir	1.77	1.35	0.00	3.01	Reservoir	P
Toronto Reservoir	1.50	1.50	0.00	3.71	Reservoir	P

+Crappie Combined Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	3 yr avg	Size	Rating
Melvern Reservoir	34.23	14.91	1.41	1.61	Reservoir	E
Sebelius Reservoir	28.53	15.00	1.83	1.54	Reservoir	G
Lovewell Reservoir	26.88	10.54	1.02	2.50	Reservoir	G
Hillsdale Reservoir	25.52	11.45	1.52	1.29	Reservoir	E
Perry Reservoir	25.45	14.03	0.38	1.42	Reservoir	G
Cedar Bluff Reservoir	24.71	5.51	0.43	1.80	Reservoir	G
Toronto Reservoir	18.51	5.83	1.91	2.40	Reservoir	G
Elk City Reservoir	15.49	5.57	1.35	2.40	Reservoir	G
LaCygne Reservoir	15.07	5.95	0.45	2.30	Reservoir	G
Clinton Reservoir	10.61	3.46	0.24	1.37	Reservoir	G
Kirwin Reservoir	10.31	9.56	6.06	2.06	Reservoir	G
Wolf Creek Reservoir	8.93	3.27	0.57	1.64	Reservoir	F
Tuttle Creek Reservoir	7.57	4.68	1.05	1.69	Reservoir	G
Pomona Reservoir	7.41	3.11	0.18	1.73	Reservoir	G
Big Hill Reservoir	7.40	3.43	0.27	1.19	Reservoir	G
Marion Reservoir	6.67	2.67	0.33	1.09	Reservoir	G
Milford Reservoir	6.54	3.75	0.58	1.90	Reservoir	G
Fall River Reservoir	6.06	1.85	0.44	2.58	Reservoir	G
El Dorado Reservoir	5.93	2.29	0.82	1.59	Reservoir	G
Council Grove Reservoir	5.89	3.22	1.33	1.87	Reservoir	F
Kanopolis Reservoir	5.67	3.58	0.50	1.43	Reservoir	G
Webster Reservoir	5.38	2.90	0.17	1.79	Reservoir	G
Glen Elder Reservoir	3.33	1.38	0.46	1.91	Reservoir	F
John Redmond Reservoir	1.71	0.79	0.25	3.04	Reservoir	F
Wilson Reservoir	0.73	0.31	0.13	1.68	Reservoir	P

+Sunfish Combined Forecast

Waterbody	Density	Preferred	Lunker	3 yr avg	Size	Rating
Sebelius Reservoir	44.40	9.50	0.00	1.21	Reservoir	G
Cedar Bluff Reservoir	15.33	0.22	0.00	0.44	Reservoir	F
Hillsdale Reservoir	6.09	0.07	0.00	0.46	Reservoir	F
LaCygne Reservoir	4.50	0.02	0.02	0.31	Reservoir	F
Kanopolis Reservoir	3.81	0.03	0.00	0.39	Reservoir	G
Wilson Reservoir	3.53	0.00	0.00	0.33	Reservoir	G
Webster Reservoir	2.94	0.50	0.00	0.50	Reservoir	F
Big Hill Reservoir	2.63	0.17	0.00	0.62	Reservoir	G
Lovewell Reservoir	2.56	0.05	0.00	0.43	Reservoir	P
Marion Reservoir	2.00	0.00	0.00	0.39	Reservoir	F
Milford Reservoir	1.44	0.35	0.00	0.52	Reservoir	P
Clinton Reservoir	1.20	0.07	0.00	0.52	Reservoir	F
Kirwin Reservoir	0.83	0.06	0.00	0.59	Reservoir	F
Perry Reservoir	0.60	0.00	0.00	0.32	Reservoir	P
Melvern Reservoir	0.52	0.05	0.02	0.37	Reservoir	P
El Dorado Reservoir	0.36	0.00	0.00	0.23	Reservoir	F
Tuttle Creek Reservoir	0.32	0.00	0.00	0.25	Reservoir	P
Glen Elder Reservoir	0.30	0.10	0.00	0.70	Reservoir	P
Wolf Creek Reservoir	0.30	0.00	0.00	0.18	Reservoir	P
Fall River Reservoir	0.29	0.00	0.00	0.26	Reservoir	F
Pomona Reservoir	0.23	0.02	0.02	0.43	Reservoir	P
Council Grove Reservoir	0.14	0.00	0.00	0.21	Reservoir	P
Toronto Reservoir	0.13	0.00	0.00	0.23	Reservoir	P
Elk City Reservoir	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.13	Reservoir	P

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Melvern Reservoir Fishing Information