Southeast Region Fishing Reports
Fishing reports provide general angling information from KDWP staff. The department cannot update the reports on a regular, frequent basis. Many factors determine angling success, and fishing conditions and individual fishing success may vary from the report. Anglers are responsible for deciding what species to fish for, what methods to use, and where and when to fish. You can help fellow anglers by sharing successful fishing notes at https://www.facebook.com/KDWPFisheries.
TORONTO RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 8/7/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| channel catfish | Good | 10% 11"-16" 30% 16"-24" 55% 24"-28" 5% 28"-36" | Use a worm, stink bait, or shad on windy shoreline or outlet. |
| white bass | good | 19% 6"-9" 20% 9"-12" 48% 12"-15" 13% 15"-18" | Use a jig, spinner, or imitation shad on windy shoreline, points, or trolled on mud flats in early morning and evening chasing shad. Fish school in channel during the day. |
| white crappie | good | 15% 5"-8" 45 8"-10" 30% 10"-12" 10% 12"-15" | Use a jig or minnow on windy shoreline or outlet. |
| General Comments | |||
|
Link to USACE reservoir water level: http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/TORO.lakepage.html Size structures are from 2024 October test netting. To view a map of Toronto Reservoir brush piles, copy this file into Google Earth and zoom into the reservoir. For more information about the Fall River/Toronto Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters. | |||
BIG HILL RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 6/20/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Good | 6-12" | Crappie fishing remains good. Fish have finished spawning and have transitioned into deeper structrure. Look for fish in deeper strucutre. Minnows and plastic jigs have been working best. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | 16-24" | Catfishing remains good. Look for fish to be on the windward side of the lake and moving into the shallower water near deep water to feed. Shad sides are the preferred bait. |
| Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass | Fair | 12-20" | Largemouth bass fishing has slowed. Look for fish in deeper structure, but will move shallow in the early morning or evenings. Smallmouth bass fishing has slowed. Fish will be near rocky shorelines and the dam. Jigs have been working best. |
| Bluegill and Redears | Good | 5-7" | Bluegill and redear fishing remains good. Bluegill and redear can be found near any submerged vegetation and woody structure. Worms under a bobber are working best. |
| General Comments | |||
| Release all Largemouth Bass 15-21" in Length, daily creel remains 5/day. | |||
BONE CREEK RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 7/28/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill & Redear Sunfish | Good | 2-9 inches | Anglers should focus their efforts along the shoreline in depths less than 6' deep near submerged trees and edges of aquatic vegetation. Areas to pursue will be on the north and south ends of the dam, coves, and rocky habitats. A bobber and worm, fly rod with small flies, and 1/16 ounce jig with a twister tail will be good baits to try. Recent sampling indicated a prominent and record year class of redear sunfish and bluegill that are less than 4-inches. Redear, bluegill, green sunfish and longear sunfish all provide important forage for other sportfish species in the lake, as well as provide a fishing opportunity for anglers. |
| Channel catfish | Good | 15-36 inches | Anglers have reported channel catfish being caught in the coves, main lake drop offs, and creek arms. Anglers from the shoreline should focus on the coves, both the north and south side of the dam, west end, and the handicap access on the south side of the lake near the boat ramp. Prepared baits, worms, cut or live bait will be good baits to try. Anglers from boats should focus on flats and near rock habitat. |
| Black Crappie | Fair | 8-14 inches | Recent angler reports of catching crappie near shore at handicap access, west end, and from boat in 8-14'. Anglers are reporting catching multiple year classes from 4-14-inches. Anglers should focus on submerged trees that are in 15-20' that are in close proximity to depth changes, or creek channels, during all times of the year. Live minnows under a bobber, spinners, or 1/8-1/16 ounch jigs with twister tails will all be good options. Fall sampling indicated a successful spawn and strong 2023 year class of Age-0 (2-3"), another 2022 year class of Age-1 crappie (9-9.5"), as well as crappie up to 14". Black Crappie are growing to 9.5 inches at the end of their second growing season, whereas in 2012, it took 6 years to reach 10-inches in Bone Creek. |
| Largemouth bass | Good |
33% 8-12" 25% 12-15" 41% 15-20" 1% > 20"
| Largemouth bass can be found lakewide in a variety of habitats that are available at Bone Creek. Recent electrofishing surveys for Largemouth Bass indicated a more balanced population of fish from 4-inches to 22-inches being observed. Each year class from 2017 to 2024 were observed during this effort. The population has improved in the last five years with recruitment being observed and strong year classes each in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Anglers should focus on the edges of vegetation that can be found along the shoreline and coves, standing timber, as well as flooded terrestrial vegetation with the lake levels reaching full pool. The water clarity will affect fishing, depending on time of day, so don't hesitate to fish the trees that can be found in deeper water. Casting swimbaits, jigs, crankbaits, bladed jigs, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits will be your best bet. Flipping plastics is another popular technique used. Don't hesitate to throw the classic "Ned rig" in the summertime when fish will be deeper. Drought has been experienced in southeast Kansas since 2022. This has allowed for the lake to experience the "new reservoir effect" by the lake lowering during the hot, dry summer months. Timely fill ups have occurred in March of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 allowing the lake to reach full pool prior to the spawn. This inundates new terrestrial flooded habitat and created ample spawning habitat. This also allows for a nutrient influx that allows for phytoplankton and zooplankton communities, that young-of-the-year largemouth bass predate upon in early life stages, and provides for more resources for the largemouth bass population. Bone Creek is a popular bass tournament fishing location in Kansas. Anglers are encouraged to contact the Public Wholesale Water District #11 Water Office to register their dates for tournaments. Catch data during tournaments, or other angler input, would aide in managing the largemouth bass population at Bone Creek, so anglers are encouraged to contact the KDWP District Fisheries Biologist with any questions or providing catch data if they would like to help manage the largemouth bass population. To bolster the current population and recruitment of Largemouth Bass at Bone Creek, the KDWP fisheries biologist has increased stocking efforts of Largemouth Bass. In 2019, 218, 377 (fry) were stocked when a hatchery surplus was available. In 2021, 13,500 phase II advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked. In April 2022, 260,000 (fry) were stocked when a hatchery surplus was available. In June 2022, 25,000 advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked. In June 2023, 25,000 advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked. During the week of and on June 4, 2024, 27,000 advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass were stocked into flooded habitat and aquatic vegetation. Lastly, 54,000 advanced early spawn Largemouth Bass were stocked into flooded habitat and rooted submersed aquatic vegetation during the week of May 19, 2025. In total, 623,774 largemouth bass have been stocked since 2018. The KDWP fisheries biologist plans to request 27,000-54,000 fingerling Largemouth Bass in upcoming years to help bolster year classes and recruitment of Largemouth Bass. This is being evaluated with genetic fin clips to assess stock contribution. In addition to, it was proposed and passed to move from a 13-18" slot length limit to an 18" minimum length limit to protect the stocked fingerlings and naturally spawned Largemouth Bass to preferred lengths for bass anglers. This went into effect on January 1, 2022. This regulation is evaluated annually with spring and fall electrofishing surveys. |
| Saugeye | Good | 19-26 inches | Saugeye can be found on flats of 10-14 ft that is near deeper water of 20 feet and deeper at this time of the year. Any depth changes, or structure, will hold fish and can be caught by a variety of methods, such as trolling or vertical jigging. Anglers have reported catching saugeye near the dam on the east side of the lake on swimbaits, jigheads with plastics, and trolling crankbaits. Recent sampling indicated a lower density population than in previous years, but quality up to 25-inches were observed. The minimum length for Saugeye at Bone Creek is 18 inches and a daily creel of 5 fish per day! |
| General Comments | |||
| Water Temperature: 92° F, July 28, 2025 Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat, bait buckets, and recreational watercraft before and after launching your boat. It is important and required by law to remove your drain plug on your watercraft upon departure to drain live wells and water inside of your boat; it will protect our natural resources in Kansas for current anglers and future generations to enjoy. Eurasian watermilfoil is an nonnative aquatic vegetation species that is present in Bone Creek. Be sure to inspect your boat, boat trailer, and bait buckets prior to launching and leaving Bone Creek to prevent the spread. Be sure to stay up to date on information regarding Aquatic Nuisance Species. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water! If you would like to provide a fishing report for Bone Creek Reservoir, or have any questions in regards to any of the fish populations, please don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, KDWP District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173. | |||
BOURBON COUNTY CEDAR CREEK - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| species | ratings | size | baits, methods, locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Fair | varies | Fish the creek edges and drop offs. Use dark jigs or minnows in the trees along the drop offs. |
| Channel catfish | Fair | varies, | The water is clear with a little color. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. Try along dam and shoreline, use cut shad, worms, prepared baits. Fish the creek mouth where the fresh water comes in and the fish are stacked up. |
| Largemouth bass | Good | varies in range | Fish above the stratification line in the tree tops. Pattern fish with jigs, spinners, gizzard shad plugs, lots of smaller fish but larger fish like 5 to 7 pounds are available. |
| General Comments | |||
| The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. This is a great kayak or small craft lake. This is a fishing only lake, no recreational boating. Water levels are great. The catfish in this impoundment are active and ready for action- Try liver, shad, or live bait fish. Channel catfish are great after a rain in the north end where the creek comes in. For largemouth bass try fishing some of the standing timber and weedbeds with spinners and buzzbaits. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat, motor, trailer and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk NO special permits required, this is a Community Fisheries Assistance Program Lake. Use caution, this lake has quantities of standing and submerged trees and limited shoreline access. This is a 220 acre lake with approximately 180 acres of standing trees. Fishing only lake. The lake has a boat ramp, parking lot, security light, floating dock, and vault toilet on the east side of the lake and a boat ramp and parking lot on the west side.. | |||
BOURBON COUNTY ELM CREEK LAKE - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | Good | varies | try bluegill chunks, chicken liver. Anglers are catching big Fish. Fish feeders are OFF. Gearup. | ||
| Largemouth bass | Good | varies | lake wide, use silver crank and spinner baits, or dark jigs, | ||
| Bullheads | Good | varies | use worms,or liver lake wide | ||
| Bluegill | slow | varies | small baits and worms under floats, along weedbeds around fish attractors | ||
| Crappie | Good | some small fish but some real good ones also, with 50 limit | Fish are moving into the shore and are in a post spawn faze. Use minnows and dark jigs, recently bigger fish over 11 inches reportedly caught, but lots of 9 inch fish. | ||
| Comments | |||||
| The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. This lake is great for shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out. Remember the length and creel limits. Due to a leak in the dam water levels can be low and will remain low until repairs are made. Use the east boat ramp at your digression. Call Bourbon County Commissioners with questions. Wildlife and Parks have committed funds for repairing the dam and waiting for the county to proceed. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development), we'd like to remind you to "Clean, Drain and Dry" your boat and equipment.
Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk With questions about this lake call Donald George, Fisheries Biologist, at 913-795-2218, or Bourbon County at 620-223-3800. | |||||
BOURBON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bass- Largemouth and Spotted Bass | Excellent | Fish 10 to 17 inches dominate the population | Water levels are good. The edges and drop offs, especially off the pier ends are good places to fish, bass habitat has been placed there. Use spinners, plastic baits, crankbaits. Some fish are in deeper water breaks. The water is pretty clear. |
| Bluegill/redear sunfish | Good | all sizes | Nice bluegill and redear sunfish are available by slow fishing along the piers with jig, worm under a float. |
| Walleye/Saugeye | Slow | varies | Fish drop offs and at the head of the inflow areas using crank baits, jigs and or minnow |
| Channel Catfish | Excellent | 12-22 inches | Use just about any catfish bait, cut bait, stink baits, chicken liver, worms. After hard rains fish the south end where the water comes in. Fish the creek mouth where the fresh water comes in and the fish are stacked up. We recently restocked channel catfish so the density is really high. Remember the length limit is 15 inches and the creel limit is 2 per person |
| Crappie | Good | 8 - 12 inches and up | Fish are moving into the shore and are in a post spawn faze. Try using minnows, jigs under a 5ft float, along the piers. |
| General Comments | |||
| Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development), we'd like to remind you to " Clean, drain and dry" Water level management at Bourbon State Fishing Lake is an important fisheries management tool. By partially draining some of the lake water, in the fall, small fish are forced out of the shallows into deeper water where predators can harvest them, preventing some stunting, improving growth of crappie, bluegill and improving bass and walleye/saugeye growth and condition. This tool improves energy flow and growth producing better fishing opportunities for anglers. Fish attracting habitat have been placed along the shoreline to attract fish and improve shoreline angling. This lake produces some nice crappie each year. Recent sampling indicates that there are many good crappie to catch. The bass population at this impoundment consists of spotted and largemouth bass. Spotted bass tend to hang near rocks and the dam, whereas on the south end of the lake your more likely to catch only largemouth bass. The lake was just recently restocked with channel catfish. | |||
COFFEY COUNTY LAKE - Last Updated: 7/31/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Methods, Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth bass | Slow | 8 in to 21 inches | Deep diving crankbaits, big flutter spoons, or big plastic worms rigged on shaky heads or Carolina rigs fish along points and ledges. Quality fish are present but numbers remain low. |
| walleye | Fair | 14-25 inches | Walleye should be hanging around on large flat points with deeper water nearby or areas of the lake with lots of terrain changes using jig and crawler, crankbaits, or jig and plastics. |
| channel catfish/blue catfish | Good | 1/2-5 lbs, Blues up to 50lbs. | Various prepared baits, liver, and worms usually good for channel catfish lakewide. Using fresh cut bait such as shad or carp usually is best for blue catfish. Fishing wind blown banks or up in the riprap should be productive or try creek channel swings and humps. Don't be afraid to fish shallow water for both species. |
| smallmouth bass | Fair | 10-20 inches | Throwing small shad imitators like compact spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Crayfish imitating baits should also work. Ned rigs or drop shots are great techniques to use for smallmouth. Fishing these baits around the deeper rip rap banks or rocky points are probably the best spots. Topwater baits should work early in the day. Recent sampling has shown a slight improvement in the population and angler reports are backing up the data suggesting an increase in the population. |
| white bass/Wipers | Good | up to 5lbs. | Using small shad imitating baits such as small crankbaits, bucktail jigs, slab spoons, or twister tail grubs fished on wind blown points or rocky banks near deep water. Vertical jigging a spoon or jigging rap is an excellent technique once you find a big school. Small topewater baits are great when the fish are busting shad on the surface. |
| crappie | Fair | 11-15 inches | Look for crappie in deeper water habitats around standing timber and near the creek channel breaks or submerged rock piles. |
| General Comments | |||
| Entrance gate phone number is 620-364-2475 call for lake conditions Fishing near the warm water outlet during the fall and winter can be very productive for multiple species. A large brush pile was created north of the boat ramp in the old creek channel and is marked with a fish attractor buoy. There were also several trees sunk at the end of the hot water dike and should be easily marked on your locator. These spots should be really good in the fall and winter months. ZEBRA MUSSELS have been confirmed in Coffey County Lake! Please help stop the spread. Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat and livewell after leaving this lake. It is illegal to transport live fish, bait, and water from this lake. | |||
CRAWFORD STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 7/28/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method &Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill / Redear sunfish | Good | 4-8" | Bluegill can be caught using a bobber and worm, 1/16-1/32 ounce jighead, and a fly rod and small fly. Locations to try would be near the swim beach in the northwest corner, main lake coves, and marina cove. |
| Saugeye | Fair | 18-21" | The fall sample indicated a low-density, high-quality population of saugeye up to 24". A variety of ways to target saugeye are trolling with swimbaits and Rapalas, or vertical jigging. Anglers can also find saugeye up shallow in the fall, winter, and spring when water temperatures are cooler and where they can be found feeding on the flats and shallow habitat. |
| Wiper (White bass x Striped Bass hybrid) | Poor | 21-24" | Wiper have been stocked in Crawford State Lake and provide a quality sportfish for anglers to target. Wipers are pelagic, or open water, predators lurking in deeper water during the day, but come up shallow to feed in the morning, evening, and during the night. Some baits to try would be jerkbaits, swimbaits, jigs, and live bait. Trolling and vertical jigging over schools of gizzard shad may yield a fish, or two. |
| Channel catfish | Good | 16-24" | Channel catfish can be found throughout all portions of the lake. Anglers can target in coves on the upper end of the lake, especially during periods of inflow, main lake where submerged trees and Georgia Cubes have been placed, and jetties and docks that can be fished from shore. Prepared baits, gizzard shad, live bait, and chicken liver are all popular baits that anglers might give a try. |
| Flathead catfish | Good | All sizes | Flathead catfish can be found in deep water next to submerged trees and structure. Live bait, such as green sunfish, and artificial lures are two types of fishing to try. |
| Crappie | Good | 6-10" | Recent crappie reports suggest that deep trolling crankbaits have yielded crappie up to 11-inches. The crappie population has a slightly improved size structure with fish sampled up to 13". There is a 2021 year class of Black Crappie that are reaching lengths up to 12 inches, a 2022 year class of Black Crappie that are up to 9 inches, and another 2023 year class of Black Crappie that are 4 inches. This is a good sign for the future, as Black Crappie are growing. The majority of the white crappie that anglers may find at the end of their line will be in the 8-10" size range. Please consider harvesting your daily creel limit of 50 crappie per day to help reduce numbers of White Crappie and open up space for the year classes of Black Crappie to grow. Anglers should try live minnows under a bobber, jigs with a twister tail, and streamers with a fly rod. |
| Largemouth bass | Good | 12-21" | Largemouth bass densities and size structure are improved, since being infected with LMBV (Largemouth Bass Virus) in 2007. Strong year classes in the 8-12" size category indicate good numbers that haven't been as prominent since 2002. Quality fish up to 21" were sampled and anglers will benefit from the improved numbers and quality of largemouth bass in Crawford State Lake. Anglers should focus on coves and jetties using a variety of methods, which include spinnerbaits, top-water lures, plastic lures, and jerkbaits. Largemouth bass phase II advanced fingerlings have been stocked in 2020 (7,500 fingerlings), 2021 (3,750 fingerlings) 2022 (3,890 fingerlings), 2023 (7,500 fingerlings), 2024 (7,500 fingerlings - 6/4/2024), and 2025 (15,000 fingerlings - week of 5/26). The KDWP Fisheries Biologist plans to continue to request largemouth bass fingerling stockings to help bolster current year classes of largemouth bass. This will be evaluated through fin clips to assess genetics to realize stock contribution to the fishery. In conjunction with the stocking, cedar trees will be added to the lake to enhance spawning, refuge, and forage structure near shore for largemouth bass to flourish. |
| General Comments | |||
| Water Temperature: 92° F, July 28, 2025 Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat, bait buckets, and recreational watercraft before and after launching your boat. It is required by law to remove your drain plug on your watercraft upon departure to drain live wells and water inside of your boat; it will protect our natural resources in Kansas for current anglers and future generations to enjoy. Be sure to stay up to date on information regarding Aquatic Nuisance Species. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water! Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism fisheries staff recently undertook a project to produce lake maps, or bathymetric maps, for public waters statewide. The lake map for Crawford State Fishing Lake can be found at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas/Bathymetric-Lake-Maps.This link will provide you with a link for all bathymetric lake maps for the state of Kansas. Scroll down to find Crawford State Fishing Lake. This will allow for anglers to view the depths of the lake to choose different habitats and lake depths to fish for different species, year-round. You will also find current GPS locations of habitat structures placed by KDWPT fisheries staff to easily input into your sonar unit, or find if you are fishing from shore. If you would like to provide a fishing report for Crawford State Fishing Lake, don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173. | |||
CRITZER LAKE - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Excellent | 13 to 18 inches with a few at 23 inches | Fish are scattered. Some larger fish available, best luck with dark colored jip n pigs, plastic worms, crank baits in close to cover. The majority of fish are in the 12 inch to 6 pound range. In 2021 a 9.88 was caught and released. |
| Smallmouth Bass | Poor | 13 to 15" | A limited fishery exists some are taken on jigs, spinners, along the dam and rocky areas. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | 15" to 8 pounds | This is a good catfish population with a lot of fish in the 3 pounds and up to 15 pounds range. Use cut shad, cut sunfish, worms, liver, prepared baits, lakewide or along the piers along the parking lot. The storm sank the old fish feeder and have not found a replacement. |
| Crappie | Good | any size | Fish are scattered. Sampling indicates good numbers of nice fish (9 to 12 inches) use minnows and milky white, pink jigs in 12 ft. East half of lake is better. |
| Walleye/Saugeye | Poor | most between 12 to 17 inches | Some are taken on jigs tipped with worms, spinners, dam and upper creek channel |
| General Comments | |||
| This is a great kayak or small craft lake. This is a fishing only lake, no recreational boating. Water levels are good and the boat ramp has plenty of water. In the spring of 2023 there were 200,000 saugeye fry stocked to spice up the fishing. This is a great Kayak or small craft lake. Critzer Lake is one of Kansas' newest lakes and was opened to fishing in August of 2011. Many anglers use kayaks or tubes to float into the cover and are very successful. There is a double lane boat ramp. The floating dock is finished and compliments this great fishing lake. The lake is primarily a boat lake but there is shoreline access east of the boatramp where anglers can set up on the two piers and be very close to the parking lot. This 220 acre lake offers 180 acres of standing timber so there is a no-wake speed limit. There is a second, smaller access area located at the south west part of the lake, from 800 rd. and Gorman, north 1/4 mile. This area makes it easier for anglers in small craft to launch and paddle/fish the more timbered areas. There is a parking lot and gravel ramp and provides shoreline angling also. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley Lake, this is a private lake community, we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat and motor, trailer, and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. Remember CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY! We have improved the area with a floating dock, located just west of the boat ramp. For tips on spring bass fishing watch this KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k Check out this video from Brent Chapman fishing for bass in Critzer Lake! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngvw2uz3oH0 | |||
ELK CITY RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 6/20/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Fair | 8-14" | Crappie fishing has slowed. Fish have finished their spawn and have moved offshore. Look for them near any steep breaks or near the river channel. Plastic jigs and minnows have been working best. |
| Blue and channel catfish | Good | 18-30" | Catfishing has been good. Look for fish to be near the river mouth where there is inflow and also up the river near Card Creek. Shad has been working best. |
| White Bass | Fair | 10-14" | The white bass fishing remains fair. Look for white bass to be near the dam or any moving water. Populations have finally rebounded some from the die off in 2020. Plastic swim baits are the preferred bait this time of year. |
| Outlet | Good | 12-20" | Fishing has been good. Live bait has been producing some flathead catfish and cutbait has been producing blue and channel catfish. |
| The Blue Catfish regulation has passed and now is in effect. The new regulation allows 10/day with only 1 fish greater than 30 inches. Water Level Current water levels and discharge can be viewed HERE. 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. | |||
FALL RIVER RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 8/7/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| channel catfish | fair | 0% 11"-16" 30% 16"-24" 40% 24"-28" 30% 28"-36" | The reservoir is 5' high. Use a worm, stink bait, or shad sides on windy shorelineor outlet. |
| crappie | fair | 53% 5"- 8" 31% 8"-10" 13% 10"-12" 2% 12"-15" | Fish are spread out along flooded shoreline vegetation. Use a jig or minnow. |
| white bass | fair | 11% 6"- 9" 34% 9"-12" 26% 12"-15" 29% 15"-18" | Use a jig, spinner, or imitation shad on windy shoreline, around flooded shoreline vegetation, or trolled. |
| General Comments: | |||
| Link to USACE reservoir water level: http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FALL.lakepage.html Size structures listed are from 2024 October test netting. To view a map of brush piles in Fall River Reservoir and the old sunken Ladd Bridge in the river, copy this file into Google Earth and zoom into the reservoir. FLRR brush piles 1.52 kB For more information about the Fall River Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters. | |||
FT. SCOTT LAKE - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth and spotted bass | Excellent | varies | Water levels are good. Lots of bass in the 14 inch to 17 inch range. Try spinners, shad imitating crank baits, or soft plastic baits close to fish structure, the side of weed beds and along rocky points. |
| channel and flathead | Good | varies, some very nice | There is a good population of channel catfish, many around 3-4 pounds. Fish are lakewide, best with cut shad, sponge baits, worms. Recent fish population sampling indicates a great population of channel catfish in the 2 - 5 pound range. Fish the South end where creek comes in during or after a rain. We recently stocked 1,000 larger channel catfish into this lake. |
| walleye/saugeye | Slow | varies | use dark jigs and crankbaits, along flats and drop-offs. most fish are above the 18 inch length limit. |
| crappie | Good | varies, many over 11 inches | There are a high percentage of fish over 10 inches. Try black and white jigs under a float. |
| bluegill | Slow | varies | use small baits, such as worms, jigs suspended under a float, in deeper water |
| General Comments | |||
| Ft Scott Lake has boat ramps and several docks and good shoreline access for fishing. This lake has great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. The lake has a good reputation for producing good stringers of channel catfish. Channel catfish from the rearing pond are stocked into this lake each fall. Recent tree/habitat placements, In 2014, 2015 and 2016, 2017,2020 about 900 xmas trees were placed at each end of the dam and along the east side. The tree placement along the dam are very accessible for shoreline anglers. This project will improve angler success for bass and crappie. Recently there were 3,500 channel catfish stocked to spice up the fishing. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development), we'd like to remind you to "CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY" all watercraft before and after entering this lake. Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don t Go. Buy your state fishing license and have fun. Please remember the special length/creel limits. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk This is a Community Fisheries Assistance Lake Cooperator,no city permits for fishing and boating while fishing. City permit required for recreational boating. | |||
GARNETT NORTH - Last Updated: 7/31/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Fair | 8-14 inches | Look for crappie around deeper water habitats near dropoffs and woody structure. Jigs and plastics or jigs tipped with minnows. Recent sampling shows good numbers of fish over 10" |
| Channel catfish | Good | 8-30 inches | Livers, shad sides, or other prepared baits along ledges or windy banks. Don't be afraid to fish shallow. |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair-Good | up to 5lbs. | Spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, or crankbaits should produce in shallow water around structure. Utilize the Texas rig or wacky rig if the fish need something slower. Buzzbaits and frogs fished along the water willow edges could be real productive in early morning and evening times. The length limit was changed to a 15"-21" protected slot limit. You are encouraged to harvest all bass under 15" to improve the population. Fish still bite in hot weather focus your efforts earlier or later in the day or out around deeper structure during the midday hours. |
| Wipers | Fair | up to 6 lbs | Chicken livers or shad imitating baits such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, rattletraps, soft jerkbaits, fished around wind blown banks and dropoffs. |
| General Comments | |||
| Please remember to help STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat and livewell when leaving water bodies. Four Georgia Cube Fish Attractors were placed by the fishing dock (2on the East end and 2 on the West end) on the north end of the lake. DO NOT MOVE FISH OR BAIT TO DIFFERENT WATERS! | |||
GARNETT SOUTH - Last Updated: 7/31/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Methods, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Fishing Opportunity | |||
| Largemouth Bass | Fair-Good | up to 5lbs. | Moving baits such as spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, crankbaits, or swimbaits should produce. Jigs and Texas rigged creature baits worked around shoreline cover are also good choices. The early morning or late evening topwater could be productive try buzzbaits, whopper ploppers, or frogs near shoreline vegeatation. |
| Bluegill | Fair | up to 8 inches | Small jigs or flies, also bobber with a worm. Good numbers of 6-7" fish are available. |
| Channel Catfish | Fair-Good | 8-24 inches | chicken livers, cut bait or other prepared bait lakewide. |
| Crappie | Fair | 6-10 inches | Throwing 1/8oz jighead with small plastic minnow or creature bait under a bobber around any structural element should produce some fish. You also can't go wrong with live minnows. |
| Comments: Please remember to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boats and livewells to help stop the spread of ANS species. |
JOHN REDMOND RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 7/31/2025
| Species | Size | Rating | Bait, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | up to 20lbs. | Fair-Good | Drifting various prepared baits along windblown shorelines. Some fish can be caught in the flooded trees or up near the river mouth. |
| Blue Catfish | up to 30 lbs. | Good | Fresh cut carp or shad drifted along the dredged area or near windblown shorelines. Fishing near the upper end by the river mouth may also be productive |
| White Bass | up to 3lbs. | Fair | Look for schools chasing shad near the dam or dredged area. Or focus along the other rocky shorelines using shad imitating baits such as small spinners, crankbaits, swimbaits, or curly tail grubs. |
| Crappie | up to 15" | Fair | Crappie are roaming the deeper water schooled up chasing shad look for them around the dredged area and the few brush piles available. |
| Comments - Fishing below the dam during low to moderate releases can be real productive for multiple species. With the recent high water be cautious and look for floating debris. Brush Pile Coordinates:
N 38o 14.743'
N 38o 14.658'
N 38o 14.419'
N 38o 14.256'
N 38o 14.722'
N 38o 14.811'
N 38o 14.922'
N 38o 15.222' Fishing below the dam during low to moderate releases should be good for most species. For current lake level and release information click the following link http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/JOHN.lakepage.html. ALERT! This lake contains Zebra Mussels please help stop the spread Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat and equipment after leaving this water body. It is Illegal transport live fish, bait, and water from this lake. | |||
LA CYGNE RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel, blue and flathead catfish, | Excellent | all sizes, | This lake supports good fishing for big blue cats, good channel channel and flatheads. Good baits are worm, frozen shad or liver, Sunfish or cut shad, prepared baits. Fishing at the hot water outlet maybe tooo hot, move away until you find favorable water temperatures. Lots of fish collect there. Some blue catfish have been caught that are over 80 pounds. Catfishing can be very good just about anywhere along the shoreline. | |||||||
| Crappie | Fair | 9 - 12 inches | Fish are moving into the shore and are in a postspawn faze. Fish the downwind side. Sampling and angler reports indicate that there are still alot of good crappie here, most in the 10-12 inch range. Best lures to use are jigs/ minnows, near structure. | |||||||
| Largemouth Bass | Excellent | varies but 16 to 20 inches is common | Bass fishing has been good all spring, with many good catches, some over 9 pounds. Use surface plugs or plastic worms along the rip rap and shoreline along shaded areas. Fish are in post spawn patterns. Recent bass tournaments have weighed in several bass over 9 pounds. Water levels have improved and bass are moving in shallow. | |||||||
| White bass | Good | varies, some almost 2 pounds | Use shad imitations, silver spoons. Most of the fish caught in the area of the hot water outlet have been the 1 to 2 pound range. Fish the creek mouth where the fresh water comes in and the fish are stacked up. | |||||||
| Wiper | Slow | some up to 12 pounds | Most fish are in the 4 - 6 pound range with a few larger. Find surface gizzard shad and fish close to the shad. | |||||||
| Carp | Excellent | all sizes | newly flooded shoreline cover using dough baits | |||||||
| General Comments | ||||||||||
| Call the Linn County Park at 913-757-6633. The water level is great. The fish are waiting for you. Remember La Cygne Lake is a great fishery and it is a part of a working electrical generating plant, pay attention to the warning signs and don't trespass over the cables. Overall the lake supports a good crappie, bass and catfish populations. This is a fishing or hunting only lake, whereas recreational boating is not allowed. BASSMASTERS has recognized LA CYGNE RESERVOIR in its TOP 10 bass lakes of the Midwest. We know La Cygne Reservoir is a great bass lake but its nice to receive this type of recognition from Bassmasters. For more information check out these two sites. http://www.cjonline.com/sports/20180707/kansas-la-cygne-reservoir-named-one-of-nations-top-100-bass-lakes https://www.hayspost.com/2018/07/15/kansas-lake-is-one-of-the-countrys-top-100-bass-fishing-lakes/ For information on the Linn County Marina boat ramps call 913 757-6633. Fishing at La Cygne produces a mixed bag of fish from big blue, channel or flathead catfish, to white bass and wipers or crappie and largemouth bass. Good shoreline angler access is provided by the Linn County Park on the west side of the lake. HOT WATER ACCESS. On the east side of the lake access to the hot water return, where a lot of fish are caught when its cold, is: at 69 HWY and Ks HWY 152, go east and drive across the dam on E.2200 Rd., turn north at Young Rd. and go West at E. 2400 Rd. to the parking lot. Anglers walk from the parking lot west on the path to the hot water return area. But this is a great place to fish. This lake has had a reproducing blue catfish population for many years, fingerling blue cats were stocked this fall to supplement that population. Another goal for this lake is to improve blue cat angling. Call the Linn County Park at 913-757-6633 for more information or camping, and cabins reservations. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake and Linn Valley Private Lake, we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat, motor, trailer and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. Get the family, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment. Don't move water from any lake. Habitat improvement and shoreline enhancement continue to improve by adding Georgia cubes. I have added Georgia cubes to several areas to enhance angling especially along shoreline areas. The gps coordinates are: Location La Cygne Reservoir Habitat longititude latititude description date
| ||||||||||
LYON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 8/7/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill and Redear | good | 38% 4-7" 36% 7-9" 26% 9-11" | Use worm, small jig, small silver spinner or spoon around brush piles, jetties, or weed line. Dry flies or grasshoppers work well, too. |
| Channel Catfish | good | 5% 11-16" 81% 16-24" 5% 24-28" 5% 28-36" | Use worms or shad sides in coves, brush piles, and around feeders. |
| Largemouth Bass | good | 27% 8-12" 27% 12-15" 46% 15-20" 0% >20" | Use spinners, jigs, or worms around brush piles and weed line in early morning and evening. Fish suspending on channel during the day. |
| Crappie | fair | 20% 5-8" 20% 8-10" 32% 10-12" 27% 12-15" | Use small jig or minnow around brush piles and suspended on channel breaks. |
| Saugeye | fair | 0% 9-14" 50% 14-18" 25% 18-22" 25% 22-27" | Drift a jig and worm on points in early morning or dusk. |
| General Comments | |||
| ATTENTION! This lake has zebra mussels. Live fish may not be transported away from this lake. Clean, drain, and dry all boats. Size structure listed for largemouth bass is from May 2025 electrofishing. The size structures listed for crappie, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish are from November 2024 fall test netting. To view a map of brush pile and habitat cube locations, copy these files into Google Earth and zoom into the lake. For more information about the Fall River/Toronto Fisheries District, click here to access newsletters. | |||
MARAIS DES CYGNES WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| blue, flathead, channel catfish | Slow | varies | fish in the river are concentrated below riffles, stink baits, cut shad, liver, live bluegill |
| white bass/wipers | Slow | varies | minnows, jigs, work the pools below the rifles, |
| crappie | slow | varies | on the river use jigs just below riffles |
| carp, buffalo | slow but could improve with more river flow. | varies | fishing or bowfishing can be good to excellent when wildlife pools are draining or the river is flooding. |
| General Comments | |||
| Access to the river can be challenging. Some areas of the wildlife area that were flooded may have some rough fish. Fishing and bow fishing for rough fish can be fantastic as these fish wash out of the river. The marais des cygnes river flow varies but could produce some good fishing opportunities. Several reports about good bluecat caught on cut bait or shad with trotlines or rod n reel. The river and streams on the state wildlife area are open to fishing. The Marias des Cygnes River is a great place to float and fish. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. The Marais des Cygnes River is confirmed to contain zebra mussels. Please take extra precaution by not removing fish and placing them in another body of water (bait fish included), and cleaning, draining, and drying boats motors trailers and all equipment before entering another body of water. This helps prevent the spread to unc | |||
MELVERN RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 5/20/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Good | up to 15 inches |
| |
| 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 | ||||
MINED LAND WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 7/28/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panfish | Good | Up to 9" | Bluegill, Warmouth and Redear Sunfish up to 9 inches are common on the strip-mined lakes on the Mined Land Wildlife Area. Focus your efforts around structure, slopes, and shallow water at the ends of the strip-mined lakes. Worms under a slip bobber, or 1/16 jigs will be a good bet to try. Casting parallel to shore or the ends are good locations along vegetation. Fly fishing opportunities are also present; hook sizes of 10-12 with a floating fly or popper may yield fish up to 8 inches. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | Up to 32" | Try cut bait, chicken liver, shrimp, or prepared baits. Slip bobbers with worms, stink bait, or live/cut bait along the slopes of the strip-mined lakes or where depth contours change may yield channel catfish that may be suspended in the warmer water. Channel catfish are stocked each fall on the Mined Land Wildlife Area and fish up to 30 pounds may be present. The state record continues to be held from a public strip-mined lake on the Mined Land Wildlife Area. Shoreline opportunity is limited - boat ramp areas are good areas to try. |
| Crappie | Good | 8-12" | Crappie can be found throughout the different units on the wildlife area. Try minnows, small jigs, or small spinners fished around brush and structure. Boat and kayak anglers may have luck trolling deeper water and cove habitats as well. Units where crappie have been reported to be caught recently and for anglers to focus on for crappie would be the following units: 45, 44, 33 and 41. |
| Largemouth Bass | Good | 8-22" | Largemouth bass can be found in many of the strip pits. Focus your efforts around aquatic vegetation, slopes, beaver dams or any terrestrial or aquatic structure, and shallow water. Many of the strip pits have quality populations. However, there are many with an abundance of 8-12" fish. Consider keeping your daily creel limit of 5 largemouth bass under the protected slot limit (i.e., 13 - 18 inches) to reduce densities to allow for better growth in the strip pits. Many strip pits have quality largemouth bass populations up to 22 inches. 1/2 oz weedless jigs, ned rigs, bladed jigs, and drop shots thrown parallel to the shore along the slope will be a good technique to try. |
| Rainbow trout | Good | 10-15" | Rainbow trout are stocked each winter during the KDWP Trout Season from December 1 through March 31. Remember anglers -- A trout permit is required to be able to fish on the "Trout Pit" on Unit #30 during the trout season (December 1-March 31). Rainbow trout & Brown Trout are managed under a combined daily creel limit of five fish. Directions to the Trout Pit (Unit #30) are as follows: 8 miles south of the McCune turn off on Highway 400 on NW 100th St. and a half mile to the west on NW Lawton Rd. OR 5 miles west of West Mineral on NW Scammon Rd., 4 miles south on NW 100th St. and a half mile to the west on NW Lawton Rd. |
| Walleye | Fair | 18-21" | Walleye have been stocked on the Mined Land Wildlife Area in Units 7, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 31, 33, 34, 39, 40, 41, and 44 to provide an additional species and angling opportunity on the wildlife area. The units and strip-mined lakes that have been stocked with walleye provide adequate habitat with deeper water and cooler water temperatures. Trolling and vertical jigging techniques will be a good technique to try. |
| Wiper (Striped bass x White bass hybrid) | Fair | 15-20" | Wiper are stocked on the Mined Land Wildlife Area in Unit #21. Stockings have occurred since 2007. Techniques to try would be to vertical jig spoons and jigs, trolling with Rapalas and spoons, and casting jigs, spoons, and spinning baits. Other opportunities would be to try a slip bobber with live bait, or chicken liver has been reported to yield a few fish. |
| Water Levels | The pits have filled after three years of drought. Ramps to use at your own caution are Unit 34, North "E Pit" on Unit 33, Unit 32, Unit 38 (East ramp), Unit 42 "H Pit". Always check water levels and ramps before launching. Low water levels can be a benefit to the fish populations by concentrating smaller bluegill and crappie to predatory fish, such as largemouth bass, channel catfish, wipers, and walleye. | ||
| General Comments | |||
| Water Temperature: 93 F, July 28, 2025 Bathymetric maps are now available for the Mined Land Wildlife Area strip pits. This is an ongoing effort by the District Fisheries Biologist, so new pits will be added on a weekly basis. The bathymetric maps that show how deep the strip pits are and water contours can be viewed at the following link: http://ksdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3e0ba6a852d2479aa6e384b4f87a0c2b. The free Explorer GIS app can also be downloaded to use when you're out fishing from your mobile phone, or tablet. This has the ability to use your location to use similar to a depth finder while you're fishing. You can search in your Android, or iPhone, app store for "Explorer GIS", once it is installed you can search for "2020 KDWPT Fishing Access". This will allow for view while you're out fishing. Good luck! Habitat improvements through the use of hinge-cutting, cedar trees, and "Georgia Cubes" will be placed throughout the unique strip pits on Mined Land Wildlife Area. Angler input is welcomed. If you have individual strip pits that you'd like to see habitat improvements made, please contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173. These will be advertised on the KDWPT website at the following link: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Hunting-Fishing-Atlas/Fishing-Atlas/GPS-KML-Information-Files/Google-KMZ-file-of-Fish-Attractor-GPS. Fish attractors and habitat additions have been placed on the Mined Land Wildlife Area and the GPS coordinates can be found at the link provided in the previous sentence as well. Aquatic Nuisance Species Alert: Be on the look out for Eurasian Watermilfoil if you're fishing on the Mined Land Wildlife Area. This aquatic nuisance plant is present and abundant on multiple strip pits on the Mined Land Wildlife Area. The plant can reproduce rapidly and develop dense mats that don't allow for other beneficial aquatic plants to grow. Please remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry your kayak, boat, boat trailer, and bait buckets. It is required by law to remove your drain plug before leaving any body of water. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. Please discard leftover bait in a trash can. If you would like to provide a fishing report for the Mined Land Wildlife Area, don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173. | |||
MONTGOMERY STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 6/20/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | Good | 14-24" | Catfishing has remained good. Look for fish near any inflowing water as well as in the shallows just outside of the weedline in the evenings and mornings. Shad have been working best for bait. |
| Largemouth Bass | Good | 8-18" | Largemouth bass fishing is good. Bass have moved out of spawning areas and are in deeper structure. Throwing jigs into structure has been working best. |
| Crappie | Fair | 8-12" | Crappie fishing has slowed. Fish have moved into deeper brush piles. Minnows have been working best. |
| Bluegill/Redear Sunfish | Good | 6-8" | Bluegill and redear fishing remains good. Fish have finished spawning but some can still be found shallow. Look for fish just outside the weedlines or brush piles. Worms under a bobber have been working best. |
| General Comments | |||
| A bathymetric map is available for Montgomery State Fishing Lake at the link above. 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. | |||
MOUND CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | Excellent | Size varies but most are much larger than the 15 inch length limit, with some large fish | The fish feeders are ON and there are alot of nice channel catfish using the feeders. The shoreline around the feeders has recently been improved to be nicer for families to fish. The water level is good. The boat ramp is open. The creel limit is 2. This lake produces many good channel catfish. Try stink baits, chicken liver, cut shad or chunks of sunfish. The lake supports high numbers of 2 to 8 pounders. The creek in the south end maybe excellent right after a hard rain. We recently stocked channel catfish to expand the population. |
| Bluegill/Redear Sunfish | Good | varies | Use small baits, jigs or small worm under a float set for shallow water, fish maybe in shallow. Fish around the fish feeder also as there are alot of fish hanging out there. |
| Crappie | Fair | 8 to 14 inches some larger | Try habitat, such as brushpiles. Recent sampling indicates that majority of crappie are in the 10 inch range with some fish in the 13 to 15 inch ranges. Minnows and dark jigs are best. |
| Largemouth Bass | Excellent | varies | A great population. There are many fish in the 3+ range. Recent sampling indicates a good population with majority of fish 14 to 19 inches. Try plastics, jig and Pig, slab, try along the rock, trees and timber. Water levels have good and the bass like the weedbed edge. |
| General Comments | |||
| This is a great fishing lake, a good boat ramp and floating dock. Kayas, canoes or small craft lake are welcome for fishing. This lake is for fishing only, recreational boating, jet skis, water skiing is not allowed. This lake has great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. Water level is good and clear. Go fishing, the fish have to eat. The catfish and crappie are very nice this year. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats, trailers and equipment. Mound City Lake has a great reputation for producing good stringers of crappie this season. Best baits are dark colored jigs and minnows, mainly around underwater structure. Largemouth bass numbers have really improved and continues to produce great fishing. Recently there were 2,000 channel catfish stocked to spice up the fishing. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development) This is a fishing only lake, no recreational boating. The City of Mound City in cooperation with Wildlife and Parks are constructing a fishing trail along the west side of the lake. This will improve shoreline angling access. Call Don George, Management Biologist with questions, 913-795-2218. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWP video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk | |||
NEOSHO RIVER AT CHETOPA DAM - Last Updated: 4/25/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddlefish | Fair | Paddlefish season is open. The river is dropping, which usually means poorer snagging conditions. Look for more paddlefish to move on rising water. | |
| General Comments | |||
| THE SNAGGING SEASON IS OPEN FROM MARCH 15 THROUGH MAY 15TH. •Catch and release is allowed on the Neosho River •A fish must be kept if placed on a stringer. Culling is not allowed. •A state-issued permit is required. Two paddlefish may be harvested daily and six may be harvested in a season. •Barbless hooks are required at Chetopa. The best fishing occurs at river flows of 10-15,000 cubic feet per second. The following link will take you to the Kansas Water Watch website. Click HERE for river flow data. | |||
NEOSHO STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 7/28/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill/Redear Sunfish | Good | 4-7" - 25% 7-9" - 40% 9-11" - 33% 11"+ - 2% | Bluegill may be caught with a bobber and small jig, or small hook and worm. The access jetties are good locations of recent reports where bluegill have been caught by anglers using bobber and a worm. In recent fish surveys, bluegill showed an improved size structure of 6-8 inch year classes. |
| Channel catfish | Good | 11-16" - 35% 16-24" - 65% | Channel catfish can be found in the shallows on the upper and lower ends of the lake. Boat anglers can focus their efforts on the flats of 4-8', coves, and the brushpiles located on the southwest corner of the lake. Shoreline anglers can focus their efforts on the rock jetties throughout the entire lake, however the jetties on the southwest side of the lake are in close proximity of brushpiles that may congregate channel catfish. Prepared baits, shrimp, chicken liver, and cut bait will be options to try. |
| Crappie | Good | 5-8" - 30% 8-10" - 61% 10-12" - 6% 12-15" - 3% | Anglers can focus their effort on brushpiles, which are located on the lower end on the southwest corner of the lake, drop offs and changes in depth located in close proximity to jetties, and coves. Crappie will congregate near structure. 1/8-1/16 ounce jigs with twister tails or tipped with a minnow, live minnows, worms, and small spinners are all good baits to try. In recent fish surveys, crappie continue to show an improved size structure of 8-10-inch year classes. |
| Largemouth Bass | Good | 8-12" - 25% 12-15" - 40% 15-20" - 33% > 20" - 3% | Anglers have reported catching 2-5 lb Largemouth Bass on white bladed jigs, spinnerbaits, and top water lures. Recent sampling has indicated a much improved high quality and high density population. This may be in result of recent water level management and habitat addition efforts. Anglers can focus on jetties, if fishing from the shore, where brushpiles are in close proximity. Anglers fishing from boat can target brushpile habitat. Fishing access jetties are located on all sides of the lake. Baits to use include spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, jigs, top-water lures, and plastics are recommended options for anglers. |
| General Comment | |||
| Water Temperature: 93° F, July 28, 2025 Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat, bait buckets, and recreational watercraft before and after launching your boat. It is required to remove your drain plug on your watercraft upon departure to drain live wells and water inside of your boat; it will protect our natural resources in Kansas for current anglers and future generations to enjoy. Be sure to stay up to date on information regarding Aquatic Nuisance Species. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water. Please discard leftover bait in a trash can. If you would like to provide a fishing report for Neosho State Fishing Lake, don't hesitate to contact Connor Ossowski, District Fisheries Biologist, at (620) 231-3173. | |||
OSAGE STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 5/20/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill Sunfish | Good | Up to 10 inches | Sunfish are preparing to spawn in shallow coves and near vegetation. Worms under a bobber or small lures will produce bites |
| Channel Catfish | Good | 0.5-5 lbs | Catfish are spawning and can be found near rocky shorelines and other shallow water structure. Worms under a bobber or stink bait produce bites. |
| Crappie | Fair | up to 12 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 are very effective. |
| White Bass/Wiper | Fair | up to 5lbs. | White Bass and Wiper can be found in schools near drop-offs to deep water. Spoons, crankbaits, or jigs will produce bites. |
| Largemouth bass | Good | 0.5-3 lbs | 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, sunfish, 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 and weed edges. Invasive species: Zebra Mussels and Curley-leaf pondweed are present. Lake users should clean, drain and dry fishing equipment and boats to prevent the spread. Recent fisheries survey: Bass and sunfish populations were surveyed in May 2025. Both populations are healthy and reproduce naturally. Largemouth Bass up to 18-20 inches, weighing 5-6lbs are present. 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 | |||
PLEASANTON CITY LAKE EAST - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, &Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wipers | Fair | size varies, | Majority of fish are in the 3 to 5 pound range. Use spoons, crank baits are good, use shad imitations. |
| Channel catfish | Excellent | All sizes, | This lake has a good catfish population and produces nice fish. The fish feeders are ON for the season. Anglers commonly catch fish in the 2- 7 pound range, with some over 10 pounds. Best baits are shad, bluegill chunks, worms, liver, traditional chicken liver, shrimp, prepared baits, lake wide. Gear up for these big channels. We recently restocked channel catfish. |
| Largemouth bass | Excellent | varies | Water levels have increased and the bass are shallow in the weed beds, lots of bass with a balanced population. try dropoffs, and the edge of weed bed. Try using silver or blue crank baits or soft baits. Lots of bass in the 12 to 15 inch range. Fish topwater in the weedbeds for fast action. |
| Walleye/Saugeye | Slow | 18-24 inches | This population is improving in number and quality. |
| White Crappie | Good | 8-14 inches | Fish are moving into the shore and are in a postspawn faze. The crappie are improving and are in the 8 inch to 15 inches long. Use pink, blue/white tube or green jigs, minnows. After a rain, Fish the creek mouth where the fresh water comes in and the fish are stacked up. |
| General Comment | |||
| This is a great Kayak or small boat lake. This is a GREAT FAMILY FISHING LAKE. The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. The best time to fish is anytime you can. This lake has great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. This is a great kayaking lake while you are fishing lake, no recreational boating. Have the lake to yourself. There are good crappie here. This lake has a high density of largemouth bass, great fishing for kids! Also, keep in mind that there is a decent wiper population. The channel cat population in this lake is doing well, and during our sampling we saw a few walleye and saugeye, as well as some sizeable flatheads. Channel catfish, are stocked in mid October to increase fishing opportunities. This will supplement the population and maintain fishing opportunities. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and (Private) Linn Valley Lake in Linn County, we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat and motor, trailer, and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. Don't move water from any impoundment. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk This lake is enrolled into the Community Fisheries Assistance Program. A city fishing permit is no longer required. Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don t Go.
| |||
PLEASANTON CITY LAKE WEST - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| channel catfish | Excellent | Size varies, some up to 8 pounds | The fish feeders are ON for the season. Catfish fishing can be fantastic. Use cut shad or sunfish or best on chicken liver, shrimp, worms, prepared baits, along dam, lots of fat fish from 2 - 6 pounds. This lake is a great channel catfish lake with great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. Gearup for these big channel catfish. We recently restocked this lake so the catfish numbers are even higher. |
| crappie | Good | All sizes | Density and quality of fish is good. Most about 9 inches with some in the 12 inch range. Because of the lake design and habitat placements, most fish are accessible from the shoreline. Fish with jigs, blue /white, minnows, |
| largemouth bass | Excellent | 12-23 inches | Water levels have increased, and the bass are in the weed beds. Early morning fish top water in the weed beds. Fish the weedbeds for fast action. |
| Bluegill Sunfish | Good | varies | Most fish are under 8 inches. use a small worm or jig under a float. |
| General Comments | |||
| A grant from Ks. Wildlife and Parks has funded a floating dock that has been placed on the north shore adjacent to the shelter house. This enhancement will greatly improve fishing opportunities for families and physically challenged anglers. Its great weather for fishing. This is a great kayak or small craft lake. This is a fishing only lake, no recreational boating. The best way to measure social distancing is with a fishing pole. The fish feeders are ON for the season. This lake has great shoreline angling, lots of room to spread out, for social distancing. Water levels are good. Best time to fish is anytime you can. Pleasanton West Lake produces a quality bass and channel catfish fishery. Largemouth bass, overall are in very good condition and health. Try your luck with roadrunners, jigs, and spinners for these sizeable fish! The lake was just recently restocked with channel catfish. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Hillsdale Lake, and Linn Valley, Linn County, (Private Lake Development), we'd like to remind you to stay aware and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread into uncontaminated waters! This includes cleaning and rinsing your boat and motor, trailer, and equipment, draining any excess water from previous outings, and allowing your boat to dry before using it in a different body of water. Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. Don't move water. For tips on spring bass fishing check out the KDWPT video at the following link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIJaiyW32k For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk Remember- Wear a Lifejacket and Reach - Throw - Don t Go. This is a Community Fisheries Assistance Program Lake, no fishing permits required. | |||
POMONA RESERVOIR - Last Updated: 8/4/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel, Blue, Flathead Catfish | Excellent | all sizes | Good baits are worms or dip baits and cut sunfish or cutshad. The State Park and the Coe of Engineers provide many great shorelines for family from the bank fishing. The Rock Quarry is a good place for shore fishing. The outlet can be very good when releasing larger amounts of water. There is the occasional harvest of a blue catfish. Channel catfish are in great shape, many in the 2 to 4 pound range. Lots of catfish caught in the spillway on worms or cut bait. |
| Walleye/saugeye | Fair | varies | Try crank baits or jigs tipped with night crawlers along the dam or rocky areas |
| White bass/Wipers | Good | varies | There are good white bass up to 2 pounds and good wipers up to the 5-7 pound pounds. Good baits are minnows/live baits, cut bait, sometimes for wipers use liver and shad imitation lures. Look for where shad are schooled up. |
| Crappie | Slow | varies but range 8 -12 inches | Shallow windy shorelines and points are good places for crappie feeding on gizzard shad. Best baits are dark jigs and/or minnows. When releasing high volume of water the outlet/spillway is fantastic. |
| Largemouth Bass | Poor | Most are 10 to 15 inches | Pomona has a limited black bass fishery with some smallmouth bass being caught. Catches are more common in the Marina area and in the coves on a variety of baits to include crankbaits and soft baits |
| General Information | |||
| Water levels are good but you may want to check with the C.O.E and the state park on what boat ramps are open. The weather is great for fishing. Pomona has produced many good crappie in the 10 to 14 inch range and excellent white bass. Also remember this lake has a good wiper and an improving walleye, saugeye population. These are often caught at the drop offs along creek channels, and around concentrations of gizzard shad. THE stilling basin can produce some fantastic fishing especially when large water releases occur. Zebra mussels now inhabit this lake. This means take EXTRA PRECAUTION to help prevent the spread into uncontaminated impoundments. "Clean, Drain and Dry" before and after using any equipment on this lake. For additional information, water temperature, release rates, please check: http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Pomona-Lake/Daily-Lake-Information/ Have FUN, Get the kids, get your friends and Go Fishing. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats and equipment. The State and COE Parks are ready for family fishing. Check out this video on fish management provided by KDWP http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Special-Fishing-Programs-for-You/Fishing-Videos/Kansas-Fish-Management For crappie anglers, watch this 25-minute video that covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazyEuIT_bk | |||
WILSON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 6/20/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location | |
| Channel Catfish | Good | 16-24" | Catfishing remains good. With recent rains look for fish near any inflowing water. Fishing has been good in the evenings just outside the weedlines as well. Shad sides have been working best. | |
| Largemouth and Spotted Bass | Good | 10-22" | Largemouth bass fishing remains good. Fish have finished spawning and are transitioning to deeper water structure but can still be found in the shallows in the mornings and evenings. Fish on the outside edge of weedlines or near any woody structure and work to deeper structure if not successful. Swim baits and jigs have been working best. | |
| Crappie | Fair | 8-12" | Crappie fishing has been hit or miss. Crappie have finished spawning and are moving into deeper brush piles. Minnows have been working best. | |
| Bluegill and Redear | Good | 6-8" | Bluegills and redear fishing remains good. Fish have finished spawning but are still being found shallow just outside the weedline. Worms under bobbers have been working best. | |
| General Comments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Both maintained boat ramps are currently usable. A bathymetric map is available for Wilson State Fishing Lake at the link above. 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. | ||||
WOODSON STATE FISHING LAKE - Last Updated: 7/31/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Bait, Method, Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Fair-Good | 6-18" | Texas-rigged plastics, football jigs, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, or squarebill crankbaits fished around brush piles, rocky banks, or vegetation should produce. The early morning topwater bite can be fantastic try buzzbaits, whopper ploppers, or frogs around the water willow or other weed beds and brush. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | 12-26" | Livers, shad sides, stink bait fished on wind blown banks. Fishing the north end of the lake with water coming could be productive. Lots of fish in the 1-4 lb. range. Don't be afraid to fish shallower habitat |
| Walleye | Slow | 8-20" | Jig and plastic along rocky banks or the dam. Some harvestable fish are available. |
| Bluegill | Fair | 4-7" | mealworms, nightcrawlers, or small jigs fished near shore and around vegetation or brush. |
| Crappie | Fair | 6-12" | Crappie have moved back to deeper water habitats look for them around the deeper brush or cube piles. |
| For a map of habitat locations and a bathymetric map of Woodson State Fishing Lake CLICK HERE | |||
YATES CENTER - SOUTH OWL - Last Updated: 7/31/2025
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Fair | 1-5 lbs. | Football jigs, vibrating jigs, Texas-rigged plastics or squarebill crankbaits worked near rocky banks or water willow. Early morning topwater action should be going on try buzzbaits, whopper ploppers, or frogs along the water willow. Nice sized bass are available. |
| channel catfish | Fair-Good | 1/2-15 lbs | Using shad sides livers or other prepared baits on wind blown banks should get a few bites. |
| Walleye | No reports | 10-24" | |
| crappie | Fair-Good | up to 14" | Crappie have moved back to deeper water habitats. Live bait and jigs and plastics |
| General Comments | |||
| STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat and livewell before leaving an area. DO NOT MOVE FISH OR BAIT between waters. | |||
YATES CENTER CITY LAKE - Last Updated: 7/31/2025
| Species | Size | Rating | Baits, Methods, Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redear and Bluegill | up to 10" | Fair | Small jigs or worms fished around water willow beds. |
| Largemouth Bass | 8-20" | Fair-Good | Football jigs, Texas-rigged plastics, shaky head with big worm, or slow rolling big spinnerbaits around various structural elements. Topwater baits should produce some fish along the water willow. The slot limit was changed to a 15-21" protected slot, meaning you need to release any bass in the 15"-21" range, but you are encouraged to harvest all bass under 15" to help improve the population. The bite is probably the best early or late in the day. Look for them around deeper habitat during the midday hours. |
| Catfish | up to 10lbs. | Good | Shad sides, worms, or other prepared baits fished on windy flats or upper end of lake when water is coming in. |
| Wipers/White Bass | 8-18" | Fair-Good | Vertical jigging slab spoons or shad imitation jigs around the creek channel and deeper water or fish may be caught along the rocky shorelines or windy points using small spinners, crankbaits, or hair jigs. |
| Crappie | up to 12" | Fair-Good | The creel limit is 20 fish/day you are encouraged to harvest the abundant 8-9" fish to help improve the population. Look for them near off-shore habitats like standing timber or brush piles. |
| Walleye | 15-24" | slow | No reports |
| This lake contains Eurasian Watermilfoil. Please remember to help stop the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat and equipment when leaving water bodies. | |||