Kansas Fishing Report for South-Central Kansas

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REGION 4
Reservoirs are listed first, then state lakes, city and local lakes and streams
Update dates are shown at the top of the report of the individual lake.

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EL DORADO RESERVOIR FISHING REPORT - Need a Map? - Last Updated: 3/16/2021

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussels			Zebra mussel veligers (larval zebra mussels) are too small to be seen with the unaided eye and they can be found in boat livewells, minnow buckets, boat bilges, water toys and anything else that is capable of holding even a small amount of water. Be sure to drain all equipment before leaving the lake to avoid moving veligers to other waters. THIS INCLUDES MINNOW BUCKETS AND BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!!! CLEAN DRAIN & DRY Every Lake, Every Time! Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. REMEMBER!! Zebra Mussels are also present in the Trout Area below the dam!!
Wiper			Be sure to properly ID your catch as there is there is an 21-inch minimum length limit and 2/day creel limit on wiper.. Click HERE for tips on identifying wipers.
White bass			Wipers can be caught along with white bass so it is important to properly identify your catch before putting it on a stringer. Click HERE for tips on identifying wipers.
White Perch			Click HERE for info on properly identifying white perch.
Crappie	Fair to Good	up to 14 inch	20/day creel limit effective January 1, 2018. Crappie are being caught in standing timber and brush piles in water 15 to 18 deep. Jigs or minnows working well. High numbers of fish aren't currently being caught, but the fish that are being caught are quality crappie with some fish approaching and exceeding 15 inches.
Catfish	Fair	up to 37 inches	There is a 25 to 35 inch protective slot limit on blue catfish and a 5/day creel with no more than 2 blue catfish over 35 inches. A blue catfish tagging project in underway at El Dorado. Please see the information below in the General Comments section for all the details! Blue catfish under 25 inches are being caught near timbered channels on fresh cut bait such as shad or sunfish.
Walleye			THE WALLEYE LENGTH LIMIT IS 21-INCHES WITH A 2/DAY CREEL LIMIT. Few reports this week
Rainbow Trout	Very Good!	up to 20 inch	Trout Season opened on November 1. Trout were last stocked today Tuesday March 16. Previous stockings include March 3, February 23 and February 4. If you've been waiting for "the right time" to try Kansas trout fishing, that time is NOW!! Trout stream is ICE FREE. Popular baits are Trout PowerBait, small spoons, jigs, spinners, cheese, small minnows, worms, or flies. For more information on the KDWPT Trout Program click HERE.
General Comments
Normal Pool, releasing 5 CFS. Click Here for the most up to date lake level information. ZEBRA MUSSEL & WHITE PERCH WARNING! El Dorado Reservoir and the Walnut River below the reservoir contain zebra mussels and white perch. Take zebra mussel control precautions when leaving the lake, Trout Area, and Stilling Basin. For information on Zebra Mussels click Here. Blue Catfish Tagging Project Underway at El Dorado Blue catfish – native to major river basins in eastern Kansas – can reach massive sizes. Kansas’ current state record was caught from the Missouri River, weighing in at more than 100 pounds. As blue catfish populations become established in Kansas’ largest reservoirs, popularity of this species among anglers also continues to grow. One such growing fishery can be found in El Dorado Reservoir. While many anglers might associate El Dorado Reservoir with monster walleye, hard-fighting wipers, or slab crappie, blue catfish are developing a following in the 8,000-acre impoundment. Blue catfish were introduced into El Dorado Reservoir in 2004 to establish an additional predatory fish population and to provide anglers with a new sport fishing opportunity. Annual stockings occurred for six years, creating a population that first exhibited natural recruitment in 2009. As the population grew, it became apparent that the fishery would benefit from harvest of smaller fish. In 2016, KDWPT implemented a 25- to 35-inch protected slot length limit, five fish daily creel limit, and a maximum of two fish over 35 inches. As with any new regulation, data is needed to gauge effectiveness. To collect this data, KDWPT Fisheries biologists are tagging up to 2,000 blue catfish in El Dorado Reservoir. Tags will appear as a small yellow vinyl tube beneath the fish’s dorsal fin. Each tag will display an ID number unique to that fish and a phone number to call to report the catch, (620) 342-0658. Biologists hope to gain information about the area’s blue catfish population size, entrainment through the dam, and the fish’s susceptibility to harvest. Success of this project is dependent on anglers reporting the tagged fish they capture. Information needed during the call will be the length of the fish, date, tag number, and whether the fish was kept or released. Anglers who report their tagged catch will receive an award as compensation for their participation. Anglers should note that tagged blue catfish that are not legal for harvest must be returned to the water immediately after recording the tag information. If the tagged catfish is legal for harvest, anglers may keep or release the fish. Because part of this study is to evaluate harvest patterns, biologists encourage anglers not to let the presence of a tag influence their decision to keep or release the fish. If you find a tagged blue catfish on the end of your line this summer, please take the time to call it in. Data collected from these fish are invaluable to fisheries biologists and will only improve angling success in the future.

MARION RESERVOIR FISHING REPORT - Need a Map? - Last Updated: 11/6/2020

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Walleye			A 21-inch minimum length limit on walleye became effective at Marion Reservoir on January 1, 2020.
Zebra Mussels			Zebra mussels can be found attached to rocks lakewide. Zebra mussel veligers are too small to be seen with the unaided eye and they can be found in boat livewells, minnow buckets, boat bilges, water toys and anything else that is capable of holding even a small amount of water. Be sure to drain all equipment before leaving the lake to avoid moving veligers to other waters. THIS INCLUDES MINNOW BUCKETS, BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!
Channel Cat	Fair to Good	Up to 10 lbs	Drifting fresh cut bait along windy shorelines. Also nightcrawlers or prepared baits where the wind is blowing in. Also cut bait or prepared baits in the river.
White Crappie	Fair	up to 12 inches	20/day creel limit Jigs or minnows on brush in 14 to 20 feet of water.
Walleye	Fair	up to 26 inch	21 inch minimum length limit became effective on walleye January 1, 2020. Jig and larger minnows near brush or other structure and ledges. A few fish still being caught on trolled large sized crank baits.
White Bass	Fair to Good	up to 15 inch	Main lake ledges in 10 to 12 ft of water or windblown shorelines and points on the windier days. Lipless crank baits or jig and plastic have been productive. Both ends of the dam have produced fish this week. Lots of 9 to 12 inch fish being caught at Broken Bridge.
Wiper	Fair to Good	18 to 24 inches	4 inch flukes on jig heads casted towards shallow points and fished out to 14 to 18 feet deep. Wipers are also hitting crankbaits slow trolled in 14 to 18 feet of water.
Coordinates for habitat cubes			4 cubes N38 22.450’ W 097 04.669’ 4 cubes N38 22.455’ W 097 04.664’ 4 cubes N38 22.426’ W 097 04.694’ 3 cubes N38 22.757’ W 097.05.227’ 3 cubes N38 22.763’ W 097 05.211’ 3 cubes N38 23.407’ W 097 05.460’ 2 cubes N38 23.467’ W 097 05.384’ 2 cubes N38 23.478’ W 097 05.399’ 4 cubes N38 23.481’ W 097 05.408’
Coordinates for brushpiles and cubes.	The first 3 coordinates are for one large brushpile.	Coordinates mark areas with multiple habitat structures in the area.	N 38 21.907' W 097 05.562' N 38 21.912' W 097.05.560' N 38 21.920' W 097.05.557' N 38 22.425' W 097 04.697' N 38 22.767' W 097 05.208' N 38 22.757' W 097 05.227' N 38 23.250' W 097 05.491' N 38 23.357' W 097 05.470'
Coordinates for brushpiles		Near shore brushpile placements fishable from shore in Cottonwood Cove.	N 38 23.438' W 097 05.398' N 38 23.436' W 097 05.404' N 38 23.428' W 097 05.402' N 38 23.426' W 097 05.405' N 38 23.499' W 097 05.393' N 38 23.489' W 097 05.399' N 38 23.480' W 097 05.401' N 38 23.472' W 097 05.398'
Coordinates for brushpiles constructed March 2018			N 38 24.459' W 097 06.907' N 38 24.450' W 097 06.975' N 38 22.685' W 097 06.279' N 38 22.680' W 097 06.279' N 38 22.216' W 097 06.065'
Coordinates for historical habitat sites that had brush added to them in March 2018.			N 38 21.911' W 097 05.569' N 38 22.426' W 097 04.702' N 38 22.776' W 097 05.220'
Coordinates for new brushpiles constructed April 2019			N 38 23.464' W 097 05.412' N 38 23.149' W 097 05.476' N 38 23.169' W 097 05.516'
General Comments
1.3 feet below Normal Pool, releasing 3 CFS

Last Updated: 11/6/2020

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Fishing Newsletter			We have created a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that want it. This newsletter is for fishing information for the El Dorado District (Sumner, Cowley, Butler, Chase, & Marion counties) only. To subscribe, click HERE .
Channel Catfish	Fair to Good		Creel limit 2/day Length Limit 15-inches Fish areas where the wind is blowing in. Worms, stink baits, or fresh cut baits are all good selections.
Largemouth Bass	Fair to Good	up to 17 inch	Large plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are all good bait selections this week. Jerk baits are also picking up some fish.
Crappie	Fair	up to 8 inch	The majority of the crappie in the lake are small and the crappie population density needs to be reduced. Take those smaller crappie home (as long as you don't exceed the 50/day creel limit!) as they won't get much bigger in Butler if you throw them back. Overpopulation of the crappie has created slow growth rates so don't feel bad about taking home a nice bucket of smallish crappie...you'll be doing the lake a favor!
Bluegill	Fair	Up to 7 inches	Worm and bobber near brushy cover and rocks.

Last Updated: 11/6/2020

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussels Have Been Discovered in Chase State Fishing Lake.			Chase SFL is an ANS designated water. Read the news release HERE. Zebra mussel veligers (larval zebra mussels) are too small to be seen with the unaided eye and they can be found in boat livewells, minnow buckets, boat bilges, and anything else that is capable of holding even a small amount of water. Be sure to drain all equipment before leaving the lake to avoid moving veligers to other waters. THIS INCLUDES MINNOW BUCKETS AND BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!!! CLEAN DRAIN & DRY Every Lake, Every Time! Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
Channel Catfish	Fair	up to 5 lbs	Harvest regulations include a 15-inch minimum length limit and 5/day creel limit. Deeper water mid-day and shallow points and shorelines after dark. Fresh cut bait, worms, and stink bait are all good summer bait choices. Feeders are done for the season.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 17 inch	There is a 13 to 18 inch slot limit on Largemouth Bass in effect at the lake. Crank baits and fluke style plastics in 4 to 7 feet of water.
Saugeye	Fair	up to 18 inch	Flukes or crank baits along windy shorelines.
Spotted Bass	Fair	up to 14 inch	Jig and plastics along the dam and off the rock points.
Bluegill	Good	up to 6 inch	Hard to beat a small piece of worm fished under a small float near weeds, brush, or rock.
Crappie	Fair	up to 11 inch	Jig and minnow fished along the dam and off the points in water 12 to 15 deep.

Last Updated: 11/6/2020

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Bluegill	Good	up to 8 inch	Small jigs or a bobber and live bait are good choices. Fishing near the brushpiles has provided some good panfish action.
Channel Catfish	Fair	up to 18 inch	15-inch minimum length limit 5/day creel limit Stink baits, worms, and fresh cut bait off the piers and points.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 16 inch	Bass activity has been FAIR recently at Cowley. Plastics and medium sized crankbaits are a good choice. Fish are being caught along the rocky points and shorelines and also in the brushpiles.
Redear Sunfish	Fair	up to 11 inch	Same as bluegill
General Comments
Roughly 38 new brushpiles were added to Cowley this winter. You can find the locations HERE, just zoom in on the map to see Cowley SFL.

ANTHONY CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 3/23/2016

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Largemouth bass	Fair	Largemouth bass fishing should be picking up in the later part of April or early May as we reach warmer water temperatures. Bass can be caught on large spinning lures, or rubber worms.
Channel catfish	Fair	Channel Catfish will start biting soon, and are best caught on prepared catfish baits or prepared cutbait.
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegill will start preparing for spawning in mid-april and will bite on any small lure or a piece of worm fished under a bobber.
General Comments
The lake is full and was restocked in the fall of 2013 with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish fingerlings. These fish will need a year or two to grow into catchable-sized individuals. Other species such as crappie may be considered for stocking after a few years; however, until the bass population is established in the lake, crappie have a high likelihood of overpopulating. Local fishing reports depend on information from local anglers themselves. To provide fishing information on this lake or any in the Wichita area, please email Jessica.

Last Updated: 10/21/2015

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Largemouth bass	Fair	No recent reports.
Channel catfish	Fair	No recent reports.
Bluegill	Fair	No recent reports.
General Comments
The lake is full and was restocked in the fall of 2013 with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish fingerlings. These fish will need a year or two to grow into catchable-sized individuals. Other species such as crappie may be considered for stocking after a few years; however, until the bass population is established in the lake, crappie have a high likelihood of overpopulating. Local fishing reports depend on information from local anglers themselves. To provide fishing information on this lake or any in the Wichita area, please email Jessica.

Last Updated: 3/14/2021

Species	Rating	Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussel		Zebra mussels have been discovered in Council Grove City Lake. Click HERE for more information.
New Video Underwater in Kansas: An Angler's Dream		Large natural concentrations of black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill with channel catfish and walleye captured on video in a Kansas reservoir. See the video at https://youtu.be/2GMXXdcsj3g .
Bluegill	Slow/Fair	near gravel banks and vegetation on small jigs and worms
Crappie	Fair	10 ft deep near ledges on jigs and minnows
Channel catfish	Fair	near windy flats and flooded brush on cut bait and worms
Black bass	Slow/Fair	on jigs, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits 5-15ft deep near docks, points, and brush
Walleye	Fair	along dam and deeper points/banks on jigs and spoons
White bass	Slow/Fair	along dam and points on spinners and jigs
General Comments
The City of Council Grove requires Aquatic Nuisance Species certification of anglers and boaters at Council Grove City Lake. Go to ANS Certification to obtain the certificate. You must have this certificate in your possession while fishing and/or boating at Council Grove City Lake.

HARVEY CO. LAKE WEST - Last Updated: 6/9/2016

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method & Location

Bluegill

Excellent

up to 1/2lb

Bluegill will be excellent throughout June and into July as the fish spawn. The best baits are small spinning lures (white, chartreuse) or a small piece of worm fished under a bobber near the rocky shorelines. Bluegill on a fly rod are a really nice opportunity at West Lake.

Largemouth Bass

Fair

Up to 18 inches

Largemouth bass are moving into the shoreline areas, and can be caught lakewide. They are most active beginning this month and throughout the summer. Large spinning lures are best during windy days, while dark colored worm rigs and creature baits are effective around structure.

White Crappie

Good

8-12 inches

After a few years of small crappie, the population is showing some real promise this year. Crappie bite best on jigs near brush, especially on the west side of the lake.

Channel Catfish

Good

1 lb plus

Channel Catfish are stocked periodically throughout the year at West Lake, and will provide plenty of catfishing for anglers in 2016.

General Comments

Recent flooding has receded and the water level has returned to near normal. Campsites and boat ramps are currently open, but check the Harvey County Facebook page for the most recent information.

Blue-Green Algae: Current advisories and warnings are listed here: http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/algae_advisories.htm

Last Updated: 6/9/2016

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Good	1-3 lbs.	Catfish will be stocked 3/16, 4/29, 5/27, 7/7 and 9/8
Largemouth bass	Fair	Up to 3 lbs.	There are a few bass in the pond, usually caught on live bait and lures.
General Comments
White perch are present in Carey Park Fishing Pond. White perch are a nuisance species that are illegal to possess alive and SHOULD NOT be transported to other waters for any reason.

Last Updated: 6/9/2016

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Rainbow trout	N/A	10 to 18-inches	The next trout stocking will occur in November, 2016. Trout season ends April 15.
Channel catfish	Good	1-5 lb	Catfish will be stocked 3/16, 4/29, 5/27, 7/7 and 9/8 .
Bluegill	Good	Up to 8"	Near the bank and around structure on night-crawlers.

Last Updated: 11/6/2020

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Good	up to 8 lbs	The catfish bite has been good recently. Productive baits have been worms, stink baits, and fresh cut bait. Windblown points and shorelines have been the best.
Crappie			20/day creel limit Few reports on crappie this week
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 18 inches	13 inch to 18 inch slot limit 5 fish per day creel limit. Please harvest largemouth bass under 13 inches to improve effectiveness of this slot limit!
Saugeye	Fair	up to 24 inches
Bluegill
White Bass	Fair	up to 15 inches	Chasing shad early and late in the day. Shad imitating crank baits or plastics on jig heads fished in surfacing schools.
Wiper	Fair	up to 23 inches	Same as white bass
General Comments
Boat and bait inspections are MANDATORY at Marion County Lake to prevent the spread of Zebra Mussels and other Aquatic Nuisance Species. Protect our waters... don't forget to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY!

Last Updated: 11/6/2020

Species	Rating	Size	Baits, Method & Location
Channel Catfish	Fair	up to 3 lbs	Livers or stinkbait along windy shorelines
Crappie	Fair	up to 11 inches	Minnows or jigs close to standing timber or other cover
Largemouth Bass	Fair	up to 16 inches	Larger soft plastics like flukes or medium to large sized jerk baits
Saugeye			No recent saugeye reports available