| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Reservoir Fishing Report | |||||
| Current Fishing Conditions | |||||
| Catfish | Good | Up to 40 lbs |
| ||
| Walleye/Saugeye/Sauger | Good | 15-18 inches | Walleye are finishing their spawning period. Fish will transition from shallow rocky shorelines to main-lake mudflats. Trolling night crawlers or crankbaits are effective techniques. | ||
| Crappie | Good | up to 15 inches | Crappie are preparing to spawn. Spawning begins when water temperature reach 60 degrees. Crappie can be caught in the shallows during the early morning and evening when they move in shallow. Minnows under a bobber is the most effective technique. | ||
| White bass/Wiper | Good | 0.5-10 lbs | White Bass are Wiper will run up rivers and creeks to spawn. They also spawn along the dam. White twister tail jigs will produce bites. | ||
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass | Good | 1-5 lbs | Bass are pre-spawn and will transition to spawning by early May. Tube jigs or plastics that imitate crayfish will produce bites. | ||
| General Comments | |||||
| Spring Fishing Summary: Spring is an excellent time of year to go fishing in Kansas. Many fish species are feeding heavily as they recover from spawning. Fishing improves with increasing water temperature. The shallows warm first drawing many fish in close to the bank, providing excellent fishing for shore anglers. Afternoon/evening is the best time to go fishing during the spring. 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 tagged with tracking devices for a collaborative study with K-state. The study is aimed at understanding what proportion of Saugeye leave the reservoir through the dam. You are welcome to harvest fish if they meet the minimum length limit. If you catch or harvest a tagged fish, please report via email to: maceyw@ksu.edu or jim.miazga@ks.gov 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, Walleye, 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 | |||||
