Perry Reservoir Fishing Report -
Species Rating Size Baits, Method & Location
Zebra Mussels Invasive! up to 3/4" Since the infestation was discovered in Oct. of 2007 these mussels have spread throughout the lake. It's up to all of us to make sure these are not spread to other area lakes, Clean-Drain-Dry everything that is taken out of Perry. Please do not move water from Perry Reservoir.
Channel Catfish Good up to 10.0 lbs Try targeting larger rocky shorelines or adjacent mudflats with nightcrawlers and cutbait.
Sauger Slow up to 2.6 lbs. There are good numbers in the reservoir but few are above the protective 18" minimum length limit.  Try trolling crankbaits or lindy rigs along the dam or the shoreline north of Devil's Gap. Casting a jig or crankbait in areas under a light may produce some fish during the night. 

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Fair

Fair

up to 5.0 lbs.

up to 5.0 lbs.

Try casting crankbaits and spinner jigs near fallen trees along the shoreline. 
White Bass Fair up to 1.5 lbs. White Bass can be caught using any bait resembling a shad or even from crappie jigs. These fish can be caught breaking up schools of shad near the surface
White Crappie  Slow to Fair up to 1.5 lbs. With spring starting to appear, fish are beginning to scatter out of their winter schools in the channels. Some luck has been had catching fish jigging brush piles in less than 10 feet of water. Warm calm days some fish may even be caught up shallow with some anglers having luck from shore using minnows.
Blue Catfish  Fair  up to 25.0 lbs.

Effective July 25, 2025, the length and creel limit for Blue Catfish will change to allow anglers to harvest 10 Blue Catfish of any size but only one of those fish may be greater than 30 inches. For example, you may harvest ten 24" fish or nine 18" fish and one 30" fish. Harvest of smaller fish is encouraged to help thin down and prevent possible stunting. Less mouths = bigger mouths. 

Blue Catfish can be found along the creek and river channels, hanging out near the thermocline. 

Comments

For current lake elevation, inflow, and outflow click here and for the lake forecast click here

If you would like to place habitat in Perry Reservoir or contribute to the fishing report, please contact the Fish Biologist, Nick, at nick.kramer@ks.gov to obtain a permit. 

The locations of all known fish habitat can be found here.

This is a generic report and will be updated as information becomes available.