| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Reservoir Fishing Report | |||
| Current Fishing Conditions | |||
| Catfish | Good | Up to 40 lbs | Blue Catfish can be caught near river channels and wind-blown shorelines. Cut bait is producing the most bites. |
| Walleye/Saugeye/Sauger | Good | 15-18 inches | Walleye can be found on mudflats near channel edges in 10-15ft. Slow trolling crankbait or casting jigs with paddle tails are effective techniques. |
| Crappie | Good | up to 15 inches | Crappie still be found in the shallows or just off the first drop off. Most crappie will concentrate around brush piles in 10-20ft. Jigs and/or minnows with a slip bobber are very effective. |
| White bass/Wiper | Good | 0.5-10 lbs | White Bass and Wiper can be found in schools near drop-offs and river channel edges. Spoons, crankbaits, or jigs will produce bites. |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass | Good | 1-5 lbs | Tube jigs or plastics that imitate crayfish will produce bites. |
| General Comments | |||
| Fall Fishing Summary: Many sport fish species are feeding heavily in preparation for winter, making fall a great time of year to go fishing. During early - mid fall, fish will begin moving into shallower habitats, with cooler water and abundant forage. As fall progress into winter, fish will begin moving deeper and concentrating around structure (brush piles, channel ledges). NEW BLUE CATFISH 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 a great return on stocking investment and increased angler success. Blue catfish tagging revealed the population is greater than 6000 individuals and continues to grow. Fish stockings in 2025: Saugeye, Sauger, Wiper, Smallmouth Bass Water Level and Discharge: The most recent water level conditions can be found at the following website: https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Clinton-Lake/Daily-Lake-Info-2/ Invasive Species: Be sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat when you leave to prevent the spread of Zebra mussels. Do not transport live bait captured from Clinton Reservoir. Fish Habitat: Several brush piles were placed at Clinton State Park near Boat ramp 3. 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 | |||
