KANSAS FISHING REPORTS: Region 1

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Reports Updated 6/21/2013

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REGION 1

CEDAR BLUFF GLEN ELDER KANOPOLIS KIRWIN LOVEWELL
SEBELIUS WEBSTER WILSON
 

CEDAR BLUFF RESERVOIR     (6,869 Acres)

Updated 6/21/2013

Lake Map

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 2144.0 

Inflow: 20 cfs Outflow: 0 cfs

Level:  22.61 feet low Temperature: 70

Crappie  Fair/Good  Up to 15 inches  Vertically fishing minnows, small slab spoons, and jigs over the fish attractors and along timber lined drop-offs in 20-25 feet of water..

 Walleye  Good  Up to 28 inches  Fish have transitioned to a more typical late spring feeding pattern where they can be found frequenting points and drop-offs in 12 to 25 feet of water. Vertically fishing or drifting jigs tipped and other presentations involving nightcrawlers has been good. Anglers have reported catching good numbers of fish, but a larger portion of their catch is falling below the 18 inch minimum length limit so the number of fish harvested has decreased below what it was earlier this spring. It may be more effective to try fish imitating baits for larger walleye.

 White Bass/Wipers  Good  Whites up to 17 inches Wipers up to 13 lbs.  Anglers report catching fair numbers of whites trolling shad imitating crankbaits or vertically fishing white or silver slab spoons over points and drop-offs.

 The daily Creel Limit for Wipers is 2.

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GLEN ELDER RESERVOIR (12,586 Acres)
(WACONDA)

Updated  6/21/2013

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 1455.6

Inflow: 85 cfs Outflow: 13 cfs

Level: 1.79 Feet high Temperature: 

Lake Map

 Report By: The Little Bait Shop

Crappie  Fair to Good  10-15 inches  The crappie have been spawning for a couple of weeks now and anglers will find some fish up shallow lakewide. Best areas for catching fish in 2-4 feet of water include Schoen's Cove, Meall's Cove, the Cawker causeway, Osage Cove, and along the dam. Other anglers have been limiting out on females hanging out in 10-15 feet of water near the causeway and the mouths of the abovementioned coves. Trolling crankbaits or slow trolling minnows seems to be working best.  

Walleye  Good  15-23 inches  There has been some good walleye fishing out here over the past couple of weeks with anglers catching them along the mudlines on the north shore near the golf course in 6-10 feet of water and from 30 feet deep along the river channels between Gibbs Point and the Cawker causeway. There have also been reports of fish caught along the channel ledges in 15-20 feet of water using jig/crawler combos.  

White Bass  Good  11-16 inches  The whites can still be caught at both the North and South Fork log jams. Other anglers have been catching good numbers along the Cawker City causeway, and we observed very good numbers along the dam earlier this spring while sampling. Walleye and crappie anglers report fair numbers of whites mixed in on the west end of the reservoir while drifting or anchoring with jig/crawler and jig/minnow rigs,  

Black Bass  Fair to Good  10-19 inches  The bass have begun to move shallow and we observed a mix of smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass in the state park coves recently while sampling. The smallies are probably wrapping up for the spawn while the largemouth are about to get started. Crappie anglers have been catching fair numbers of each with smallmouth dominating the catch.  

Wipers  Fair  19-27 inches  There have been some good catches of wipers in the state park coves, especially Marina Cove. Watch the wind and when it warms up and blows in from the south, the wipers can be found chasing shad in the backs of the coves. Anglers have also been catching a few off Swim Beach point and the dam.  

Channel Catfish  Fair  All Sizes  Good spots in the spring include up the North and South Fork river channels as anglers often catch fish under the North Fork and Fisherman's bridge. We also see catfish in good concentrations along the Cawker City dike around the flooded stickups. There are probably a few catfish below the dam in the outlet as well. Stinkbaits, dead shad, and chicken liver all work this time of year. Other anglers have been catching good numbers of cats up the creek channels on the west end.       

REMINDER TO ALL ANGLERS!!! There is a new creel limit of 20 crappie/day at Glen Elder Reservoir, effective January 1, 2013. Make sure to spread the word that it is now illegal to possess more than 20 crappie each day!!!  

Boat Ramp Update: All boat ramps are open at this time. The reservoir is only 1.8 feet below conservation so low water is not limiting access at this time.

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KANOPOLIS RESERVOIR  (16,000 Acres)

Updated  6/21/2013

Lake Map

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 1463.0

Inflow: 25 cfs Outflow: 15 cfs

Level:3.95 feet low Temperature: 50

 

Channel Catfish  Good  Variety  Fish windblown shores with dead shad during the fall and winter. The channel catfish population looks good for 2013 with lots of keeper-sized catfish with a few 5-10 lb fish mixed in.  

Crappie  Good  Variety of Sizes - mostly 11 to 12 inches  The crappie spawn is on. Fish near rocks and brush.  

Trout  Fair  The latest stocking of the year occurred on March 11. Nearly 10,000 trout were stocked this winter. Get out and utilize the resource before it is too late!  

Walleye/Saugeye  Excellent Variety, up to 21"  Fishing has really picked up on the mudflats. Fish fairly shallow with jig and crawler or Lindy-type rig.  

White Bass  Fair  All sizes - up to 17 inches  Look for white bass near rocks and on dropoffs near flats.  

Wiper  Fair  All sizes  Wiper numbers appeared to be down in gill nets, although many anglers commented on catching good-sized wipers in 2012. Hopefully these fish show up in 2013.

All main boat ramps have been closed due to low water.

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KIRWIN RESERVOIR (5,000 Acres)

Updated 6/21/2013

Lake Map

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 1729.3

Inflow: 10 cfs Outflow: 80 cfs

Level: 5.73 feet low Temperature:71

Walleye  Good  Majority 20 to 25 inches  Walleye fishing should be good, however, numbers are down slightly from last year with17% being in the 7 to 10 inch size range, 24% being in the 11 to 15 inch size range, 17% being in the 15 to 20 inch size range and 34% being in the 20 to 25 inch size range. Therefore 51% are over the 15 inch length limit. The largest fish sampled weighted 8.1 lbs. Rated #5 in state for density of fish 15 inches and above.  

White Bass  Fair  Majority 12 to 15 inches  Numbers are down from last year with the majority of fish being in the 12 to 15 inch size range accounting for 80%. Fish 9 to 12 inches accounted for 4% and fish over 15 inches accounted for 14%. The biggest fish weighted 2.43 lbs.  

Wiper  Good  Majority 15 to 20 inches Numbers are up from last year with the majority of fish being in the 15 to 20 inch size range accounting for 46%. Fish 8 to 11 inches accounted for 7%, 12 to 15 inch fish accounted for 33% and fish over 20 inches accounted for 14%. The biggest fish weighted 8.49 lbs. Ranked #2 in the state for density of fish 12 inches and above.  

Channel Catfish  Good  Majority 16 to 24 inches  Catfishing should be good with the numbers up from last year. The population is still fairly young with fish 9 to 12 inches accounting for 6%, fish 12 to 16 inches accounting for 39%, fish 16 to 24 inches accounting for 45% and fish 24 inch plus accounted for 9%. Biggest fish weighted 23.37 lbs.  

Crappie  Fair & Good  Majority 2 to 5 inches  Although low numbers of fish were caught in the trap nets due to cold fronts passing through crappie fishing should be good for black crappie and fair for white crappie. Had a really good crappie spawn for both with 87% of the blacks and 99% of the whites being 2 to 5 inches. However, the density rating for black crappie is #5 in the state for fish 8 inches and above.  

Largemouth Bass  Good  Majority 15 to 20 inches  The bass fishery is starting to come around and should be good. The majority of fish were in the 15 to 20 inch size range accounting for 58%, fish 6 to 12 inches accounted for 25%, and fish 13 to 15 inches accounted for 17%. Density rating for the state is #7 for fish 12 inches and above.

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LOVEWELL RESERVOIR  (2,986 Acres)

Updated 6/21/2013

Lake Map

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 1582.6  

Inflow: 20 cfs Outflow: 112 cfs

Level: 4.60 feet high Temperature:

Walleye  Fair to Good  12-27 inches  The best walleye fishing this time of year is usually off the 2 Mile road area and this year is no exception. A few limits have been reported from this area, but most of the anglers are catching 2-4 keepers apiece. There have also been some fish caught off Willow Point and Cedar Point in 10-15 feet of water.  

White Bass  Fair  9-16 inches  Anglers are still catching some white bass along the dam, Oak Hill, and around Cabin Point, but the action has a slowed a bit compared with the past couple of weeks. There was a fairly large fish kill this past week. We estimated 3,500 dead white bass on Sunday, May 19th. The other species did not seem to be affected. It is possible that a rapid water temperature rise, combined with post spawn stress for the whites, led to the fish kill. 

Crappie  Fair to Good  8-13 inches The crappie spawn is occurring right now and they have moved shallow in several of the coves. The best crappie reports have come from the Marina Cove area and John's Creek with fairly good numbers of all sizes reported. Other spots to look for spawning crappie include the dam, north shore coves between Walleye Point and Pawnee Point, Montana Creek, and Prairie Dog Creek. Minnows will probably work best, but jigs and a bobber can be very productive once the fish move in shallow.  

Channel Catfish  Fair  All Sizes  There is not a lot of catfish activity in the spring, but these fish can be caught this time of year. We annually find the best concentrations on the flats off Two Mile Road and Oak Hill and near the Cross. Shad sides and whole shad will probably work best as these fish naturally die off when the water temperatures cool down and the catfish will feed on them. Concentrate your effort along the windblown side of the reservoir. Other good spots to try include any of the creek arms that have warmed into the 60's or low 70's. The catfish like to move into these areas and feed on dead shad and other prey. 

Gar and Carp  Good  All Sizes  The gar have moved up shallow and can be found in many of the coves, but the best numbers have been at the inlet where water is currently flowing in. This would be a great chance for bow fishermen to get out and shoot a bunch of gar. The carp have also been showing up in the coves and other shallow water areas in good numbers and would provide an additional opportunity for water archers. Be sure to take all of your fish with you and don't leave them on the bank or throw them back in the water.  

FISH BARRIER UPDATE: Anglers fishing at Lovewell will notice a new structure located near the outlet area. This is a large mesh screen suspended between floats on the surface and anchors on the bottom. This mesh curtain has been installed to keep fish from leaving the reservoir during irrigation releases and to improve the fishery at Lovewell. Please do not approach this structure or try to fish near it. This will result in damage to your equipment, loss of lures, and damage to the barrier. This fish-saving device is very important to the future fish populations at Lovewell and will work well if it is not tampered with. Thank you for your cooperation.  

BOAT RAMP UPDATE: Low water levels should not be a problem with regards to boat ramps and all ramps are open at this time.

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KEITH SEBELIUS RESERVOIR   (2,300 Acres)
(NORTON)

Updated 6/21/2013

Lake Map

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 2304.3

Inflow: 5 cfs Outflow 1 cfs

Level: 9.86 feet low Temperature:73

Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water! Therefore, please discard leftover bait in a trash can.

Saugeye  Good  Majority 15 to 18 inches  Saugeye fishing should be good as numbers are up this year with 24% being in the 8 to 15 inch size range, 62% being in the 15 to 18 inch size range and 14% being over 18 inches. The largest fish sampled weighted 6.97 lbs. Rated #1 in state for density for fish 14 inches and above.  

Wiper  Good  Majority 15 to 20 inches  Numbers are down from last year with the majority of fish being in the 15 to 20 inch size range accounting for 55% and fish 20 to 25 inches accounted for 45%. The biggest fish weighted 9.59 lbs. Density rating for the state is #8 for fish 12 inches and above.  

Channel Catfish  Good  Majority 24 to 30 inches  Catfishing should be good; however, the numbers are down from last year. The population is dominated by 24 to 30 inch fish accounting for 67% and fish 17 to 24 inches accounted for 33%. Biggest fish weighted 8.07 lbs.  

Crappie  Good & Fair  Majority 2 to 5 inches  Crappie fishing should be good for black crappie and fair for white crappie. Had a really good crappie spawn for both with 58% of the blacks and 82% of the whites being 2 to 5 inches. However, the density rating for black crappie is #3 in the state for fish 8 inches and above.  

Largemouth/Spotted Bass  Good  Majority 8 to 12 inches  Numbers are up from last year with the majority of the largemouth being in the 8 to 12 inch size range accounting for 41%. Fish 3 to 8 inches accounted for 17%, 12 to 15 inch fish accounted for 28% and fish over 15 inches accounted for 14%. The biggest fish weighted 4.86 lbs. Density rating for the state is #1. Spotted bass numbers are up from last year and the fishing should be good as well. The majority of spot's are in the 11 to 14 inch size range accounting for 44% and 14 inch + fish accounted for 24%. Density rating for the state is #1.

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WEBSTER RESERVOIR    (3,740 Acres)

Updated 6/21/2013

Lake Map

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool:1892.5  

Inflow: 20 cfs Outflow: 85 cfs

Level: 12.84 feet low Temperature:74

Wipers  Good  Majority 6 to 15 inches with 15 to 20 inches close behind  Numbers doubled from last year and the fishing should be good. 6 to 15 inch fish accounted for 46%, 15 to 20 inch fish accounted for 42% and 20 plus fish accounted for 12%. The biggest fish sampled weighted 11.0 lbs. Density rating for fish 12 inches and above ranked 5th in the state. The biggest fish sampled weighted 8.79 pounds.  

White Bass  Fair  Majority 12 to 15 inches  Numbers doubled from last year with the majority of fish being in the 12 to 15 inch size range accounting for 53%. Fish over 15 inches accounted for 22% and the biggest fish weighted 1.93 lbs. Density rating for fish 9 inches and above ranked 10th this year.  

Walleye  Good  Majority 15 to 28 inches  Walleye fishing should be good as numbers are up this year with 85% being over 15 inches and another 15% being in the 7 to 15 inch size range. The largest fish sampled weighted 7.47 lbs. Density rating for fish 15 inches and above ranked #1 in state this year.  

Channel Catfish  Good  Majority 16 to 24 inches  Catfishing should be good with the numbers about the same as last year. The population is still fairly young with fish 8 to 10 inches being 7% and fish 11 to 16 inches accounted for 40% and 53% were 16 to 24 inches.  

Crappie  Good & Fair  Majority 2 to 6 inches  Although low numbers of fish were caught in the trap nets due to cold fronts passing through crappie fishing should be good for black crappie and fair for white crappie. Had a really good crappie spawn for both with 61% of the blacks and 80% of the whites being 2 to 5 inches. Will still be some 8 to 15 inch fish accounting for 23%. However, the density rating for black crappie is #1 in the state for fish 8 inches and above.  

Largemouth Bass  Good  Majority 15 to 20 inches  The bass fishery is starting to come around and should be good. The majority of fish were in the 15 to 20 inch size range accounting for 49% and fish 11 to 15 inches accounted for 40%. The biggest fish sampled weighted 3.68 pounds.

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WILSON RESERVOIR  (1,917 Acres)

Updated 6/21/2013

Lake Map

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 1516.0

Inflow: 10 cfs Outflow: 15 cfs

Level: 2.03 feet high Temperature:

Crappie  Good  10-14 inches  The crappie spawn is on right now and anglers can catch some fish in the coves near flooded timber and small brush between 5 and 8 feet deep. Minnows under a bobber work well, but jigs cast under a bobber seem to work even better at times.  

Stripers  Fair  3-8 pounds  Not much change here yet this spring. The best areas to fish this time of year continue to be Hell Creek and the upper end of the reservoir. The fish will be staging for a run up the river and anglers sometimes have success trolling small shad crankbaits in the upper end and around the lower river for both whites and stripers. Trolling seems to work better than slabbing for many folks. There are still a few anglers wade fishing the points in Hell Creek catching stripers on large buck tails.  

Walleye  Good  11-23 inches  The walleye tournament was a big success with most of the teams bringing in their 6 fish limits. Walleye can be caught from a variety of depths right now with some reports of fish in 8-12 feet of water near rocky points and other anglers catching them in 25-35 feet of channel ledges. Jig and crawler continue to work best, but jig and leech or minnow will also yields some eyes. Trolling a variety of crankbaits is a good idea this time of year as well. Thanks to the last 2 large year classes there are high numbers of sublegal fish so handle them carefully.  

Channel Catfish  Fair  3-8 pounds  Best areas to look for cats are the back end of Hell Creek and in other creek areas. Best baits include shad sides, shad gizzards, and cut carp. You may catch a striper or two while fishing for cats as well. Target your efforts during the warmer part of the day. Anglers usually catch a few channel catfish from the river this time of year as they seem to be a little more active up there. It won't be long before the catfish move into the rocky areas to spawn. This should happen in the next couple of weeks.  

White Bass  Fair  12-18 inches, up to 3 pounds  The best areas to fish this time of year continue to be Hell Creek and the upper end of the reservoir. Some fish are still up the river and anglers sometimes have success trolling small shad crankbaits in the upper end and around the lower river for both whites and stripers. Trolling seems to work better than slabbing for many folks.  

Black Bass  Excellent  10-18 inches  This is a great time to catch both smallmouth and largemouth bass. The smallmouth spawn is just about over for the year and the largemouth spawn is just beginning. They will be found in the backs of the coves and creeks near flooded vegetation while the smallies can be found off rocky points and ledges.  

White Perch  Fair  9 to 13 inches  The white perch typically emerge from hiding and start feeding actively on shad – often stacking up just off the steep rocky bluffs in Hell Creek, near the north end of the dam, and off Minooka. Continue to keep all you catch. Our fall netting showed good numbers of perch near the north end of the dam and further west along the north shore to Lucas. - IT IS ILLEGAL TO HAVE A WHITE PERCH ALIVE IN YOUR POSSESSION - IF YOU CATCH IT AND WANT TO KEEP IT - IT HAS TO BE DEAD IN A COOLER OR LIVEWELL. THEY ARE NO LONGER LEGAL AS LIVE BAIT FOR STRIPERS OR OTHER FISH!!!!!

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This page was last updated: 01/14/14