Horsethief Reservoir Fishing Report -

 

 

Species Rating Sizes Possible Baits, Method, & Location
Crappie Slow Up to 12 inches

Spawning crappie will target shallow structure like brush or cattails. Anglers should target the brush piles and other submerged structure with minnows and jigs or nearby points and drop offs where pre-spawn crappie might stage. Anglers are encouraged to harvest high numbers of crappie to help maintain a desirable level.  Largemouth Bass 

Harvest regulations include 50/day creel limit.

Channel Catfish Slow Most in the 1 lb size range

Fish can be caught all over the lake. Try shad sides, shad gizzards, shrimp, nightcrawlers, and chicken liver.  If it ever rains, target areas of inflow.

Harvest regulations are 5/day creel limit.

Largemouth bass No report Up to 4 lbs

Fish are spawning right now and making and guarding nests this time of year. Look for shallow depressions near shallow overhanging structure or shallow brushpiles. Fish can be caught around any aquatic vegetation and off the rocky jetties. Focus on submerged wood in the vegetation. Try wacky worms, Senkos, Ned Rigs, spinnerbaits, roadrunners, and crankbaits.

Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

Bluegill/Redear No report Up to 8 inches

Should be gearing up to spawn.  Worms under a bobber and small jigs fished vertically around brush in deeper water.

There are no harvest restrictions at this time.

Walleye/saugeye Slow Up to 4 lbs

Still catching walleye/saugeye along the dam by casting small jigs, jerkbaits and swimbaits.  Jig and night crawler should really work on the points and flats right now.  

Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit.

 

Water temps should be in the upper 60s.  We have received very few reports from anglers.  You may call the Dodge City Regional office as 620-227-8609 to make a report.   Regular reporting will resume in April of 2023.

Please discard of leftover bait in a trash can, even baitfish. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water!