We are working to establish some native aquatic vegetation at Brown SFL. The fences in the water are to protect the plants until they spread naturally. Please do not disturb the plantings.

If you have information that you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at nick.kramer@ks.gov

Zebra Mussels are present at Clinton Reservoir

Be sure to CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY all equipment that comes in contact with the water to keep from spreading them to another lake.

Summary:

Fishing conditions have improved now that fall has set in and water temperatures are cooling.  The afternoon bite is often better compared to the morning.  Target shallow rocky areas that warm quickly.  Deep channels and dropoffs can be productive in the morning. 

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.

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:

20 Crappie jacks were placed near Bloomington West Park and should provide good habitat for shore fishing.

Invasive Species: 

Eurasian Water-Milfoil.  Lake users should clean, drain, and dry fishing equipment and boats to prevent the spread. 

Stocking:

30,000 Wiper fry were stocked in May 2024.  Wiper provide predatory control on Gizzard Shad.  Too many shad can reduce survival of young of year sportfish species that compete for similar resources. 

4,875 Channel Catfish were stocked in October 2023.

Most recent fisheries surveys:

Bass and sunfish populations were surveyed in May 2024.  Both populations are healthy and reproduce naturally.  Largemouth Bass up to 18-20 inches, weighing 5-6 lbs are present. 

This deep clear lake offers a diverse fishery. Best for 2024 should be for saugeye, crappie, and largemouth bass.

WARNING..ZEBRA MUSSELS PRESENT!!!

We will be conducting a creel survey at Banner Creek between March 1 and October 31, 2024. You may be approached by creel clerk and asked about your catch.

If you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at nick.kramer@ks.gov

The locations of fish habitat placed in this lake can be found here

The smallmouth bass population is on the rebound. The 2024 sample showed the best smallmouth bass numbers in 8 years with a decent size structure as 45% of the fish were over 14" and 7% was over 17". The dam is a great spot to start looking for smallmouth.   

The lake has maintained a moderate to low level largemouth bass population through the years. The 2024 sample shows the population has improved recently, yet is still at a low level. The East bank, South cove, and around the island are usually the best largemouth spots.

Anglers need to check into the Jeffrey Energy Center Guard House located north of St. Mary's, then west off K-63 Hwy.  You can call the Guard House to check on availability at (785) 456-6149.  The Jeffrey Energy Center allows 30 anglers to fish at any one time. 

Auxiliary Lake has zebra mussels which makes the lake designated as a Aquatic Nuisance Species water. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS designated waters. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY all equipment when changing water bodies and dump your bait.

General Comments:

Urban Catfish stocking.  Catchable sized Channel Catfish will be stocked in March, April, May, and September.  

On May 31, the following ponds will be stocked with catchable-sized Channel Catfish: Governor's Ponds, West Lake (Gage Park), Central Park, Shawnee Jr., Horseshoe Bend, Clarion Park, Shawnee State Fishing Lake.

20 cedar tree brush piles were submerged in Feb. 2024.  New habitat should provide good structure for anglers to target.  

Invasive species: 

Zebra Mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and Curley-leaf pondweed.  Lake users should clean, drain, and dry fishing equipment and boats to prevent the spread.

2,500 Smallmouth Bass fingerlings were stocking in June 2024. 

400,000 Saugeye fry were stocked in May 2024. The walleye population has been relatively low in recent years.  Saugeye have experienced great success in other Kansas lakes.  Saugeye were first introduced this year.  

50,000 Wiper fry were stocking June 2024.  Wiper provide predatory control on Gizzard Shad.  Too many shad can reduce survival of young of year sportfish species that compete for similar resources. 

8,320 Channel Catfish were stocked in October 2023.

Bass and sunfish populations were surveyed in May 2024.  Both populations are healthy and reproduce naturally.  Largemouth Bass up to 18-20 inches, weighing 5-6lbs are present. 

The locations of brushpiles and artificial habitat can be found here.

If you have information that you would like to contribute to this fishing report, contact Nick Kramer at nick.kramer@ks.gov. 

Special note: The lake has non-native aquatic plants! Please inspect your trailer and fishing gear before leaving the lake to ensure you are not transporting these plants to any other lakes.    

Please pick up and take home any trash that you may have brought with you.                                                                                                                                                           

Channel catfish can be caught on cut bait, worms, and stink bait. Blue catfish are typically caught on fresh cut bait. Target wind blown flats and river channel ledges for catfish. 

NEW Blue Catfish Regulation...all between 28"-40" must be released...creel limit is 10, but only 1 can be 40" or longer

Target rocky or wind-swept mud banks or along dam with jigs, crankbaits, or bottom bouncers w/ worms

21" minimum length limit, 2/day creel limit.

CAUTION: DO NOT TRANSFER LIVE BAIT FROM ONE BODY OF WATER TO ANOTHER!!! ALONG WITH ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATION, INVASIVE CARP ARE IN DRAINAGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE KANSAS RIVER AND CAN EASILY BE MISTAKEN FOR SHAD!!!

Zebra mussels have been found at Paola City Lake (Lake Miola). The lake has been designated as an Aquatic Nuisance Species water. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS designated waters. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY all equipment when changing water bodies and dump your bait.

Water temperatures should be near 85-86 this weekend 

More brushpiles were added again on 2/28/24. Some new brushpiles were created and some brush was added to some of the existing 2018/19 structures. Many of the new brushpiles can also be accessed by casting from the shore. 

GPS Coordinate locations for all brushpiles. 

N 38.58540, W 094.84338

N 38.58954, W 094.84549 

N 38.58493, W 094.84037

N 38.59411, W 094.84538

N 38.58334, W 094.84544

N 38.58928, W 094.85039

N 38.58596, W 094.84532

A few nice fish in the 35 inch length limit range can be caught, but many fish are below the length limit. Remember blue cats look similar to channel catfish, so be careful with identification.  

There are several hundred Blue Catfish tagged with a small metal tag on the top of their gill plate as part of a population study. The majority of these fish are less than 35" and should be released. If you do harvest a tagged fish greater than 35" please report your tag number to nick.kramer@ks.gov. 

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.

Fishing for all three species of cats can be good below Rocky Ford dam. Channel can be caught on worms, cut bait or prepared bait.  Flathead can be taken on live bait or lures. Blue catfish are usually caught on fresh cut bait. The catfish bite has been with all three species being caught in modest numbers.

Please check any blue catfish for a yellow or orange tag in its back as we have been tagging some to collect more information on the species in Tuttle Creek Lake and the Big Blue River.  Feel free to harvest or release the fish, but please report the tag number and the general location of the catch to (620) 342-0658 or ely.sprenkle@ks.gov   A big THANK YOU to all who report their catch!

Located north of Silver Lake, Shawnee State Fishing Lake is the site of good catch and release largemouth bass fishing. The lake is also noted for channel catfish harvest since the lake receives frequent stockings of harvestable sized catfish from March through September. The Jeffrey Energy Center Lakes and Perry Reservoir both have zebra mussels and with Shawnee State Lake being close it is at high risk. Please, always clean your boat when moving to different water bodies.

The lake and the connected river system has maintained a good channel catfish population through the history of the lake and has been one of the best places around to catch channel cats over 8 pounds. The fishery was underperforming from 2013 to 2020 but has rebounded and been doing well the last three years. The 2023 sample recorded that 19% of the channel catfish were above 24-inches, which is the highest percentage seen in a decade. Fishing in the upper end of the lake and the river tends to be the most consistent spots for channel cats.

K-State is conducting a study to track fish movements and there are a few channel catfish with a purple tag in their back - please release all fish with a purple tag.