Melvern Reservoir Fishing Report

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Notice

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Melvern Reservoir Fishing Report - Updated: 9/18/20



Crappie	Fair-Good	0.25-1 lbs	Most fish have been caught in 12-15 feet of water around brush piles or standing timber using minnows or jigs. A lot of small fish have been caught recently.
Black bass	Fair	0.5-4 lbs	Casting crankbaits and jigs along rocky banks.
Walleye	Slow-Fair	0.5-2 lbs	Some small ones have been caught recently using jig and nightcrawler and trolling crankbaits.
Blue catfish	Slow-Fair	2-30 bs	Recent reports of blue catfish being caught using cut shad or crappie parts. A few keepers have been reported, along with quite a few shorts.
Channel catfish	Fair	1- 6 lbs	Some being caught on shad and cut bait.
Fisheries Newsletter			If you would like to receive additional information about this lake a couple of times a year, sign up for the newsletter at the following link http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Lawrence-Fishing-District
Blue Catfish			35 inch minimum length limit and 5 fish daily limit went into effect January 1, 2016. This regulation change is to protect adult brood fish which hopefully will allow increased production of young blue catfish, translating into increased numbers of blues in Melvern.
Sauger			18 inch minimum length limit went into effect Jan. 1, 2016. This change makes sauger and walleye have the same regulations at Melvern Reservoir.
Spotted Bass			18 inch minimum length limit went into effect Jan. 1, 2016. This change makes all black bass (i.e. largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) have the same regulations at Melvern Reservoir.
General Comments
Anglers, please remember to practice proper social distancing at boat ramps and any other areas that naturally concentrate users. Lake level was about 0.13 feet below normal, water temp was 78 ^o F, and release rate was 20 cfs (Sept. 18). Melvern Reservoir has Zebra Mussels, Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat and fishing equipment when leaving the lake to keep from spreading them to other lakes.

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