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WALLEYE WARMING UP
As water warms, walleye fishing heats
up
May 25, 2006 -PRATT -- As table fare,
walleye are at the top of most anglers' lists. They are not only
tasty, but they grow large enough that a few fish can provide
a family meal. (The state record walleye is more than 13 pounds.)
And right now, as the water -- and the air -- warms up, is the
best time to catch them. Walleye move over shallow points, flats,
and underwater roadbeds to feed in May and early June. While
fishing from a boat is the preferred method, walleye can be caught
at this time by wading. Look for fish in water 3 to 15 feet deep.
Breezy days are better than calm ones.
These post-spawn walleye are often aggressive
and can be caught trolling with crank baits or drifting a jig
and nightcrawler combination. Jig size varies depending on the
amount of wind and water depth, but usually a 1/8- or _-ounce
jighead will do the trick. Popular lure colors include chartreuse,
red, orange, pink, and white.
Many of Kansas' 24 reservoirs provide good walleye
fishing. Much of this success can be attributed to the Kansas
Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) aggressive walleye stocking
program. In addition, length limits allow walleye to grow to
reproductive age, and in some reservoirs, prime habitat produces
excellent walleye populations year after year. Currently, Cedar
Bluff, Cheney, Kanopolis, Pomona, and Wilson reservoirs appear
to be the best bets, but this could change almost daily. And
anglers shouldn't overlook smaller impoundments and other reservoirs.
The following is a list of Kansas walleye lakes
that are currently experiencing good or better walleye fishing,
according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP).
Region 1 (northwest, northcentral)
Cedar Bluff -- Walleye fishing at this lake is good, and
recent reports have anglers averaging three legal-length fish
per trip. The length limit is 18 inches, and harvested fish are
averaging 19-22 inches.
Glen Elder -- Known for good walleye fishing, this lake is currently
experiencing good to excellent fishing. Look for fish to remain
shallow for several weeks until the water temperature nears the
upper 70s or low 80s. Fifteen-inch length limit.
Kanopolis Reservoir -- This lake is rated good to excellent
with a 15-inch length limit. The fish are moving up onto the
flats, and jig-n-worm drifting is effective.
Lovewell Reservoir -- Good walleye fishing is being reported
at this lake. The April creel data estimated 300 walleye between
18 and 28 inches were harvested at an average of 4.5 pounds.
It should only get better, although the lake has high numbers
of sub-legal fish. The length limit is 18 inches.
Webster Reservoir -- Limits of legal fish are being caught just
to the east of the swim beach and south of the old foundations
drifting jig and worm. The length limit is 15 inches.
Wilson Reservoir -- Walleye are being caught in 5 to 20 feet
of water all over the lake, many under the 15-inch length limit
at this time.
Region 2 (northeast)
Herington New City Lake -- Although this lake and several
others in this region are only rated fair currently, fish weighing
2 to 5 pounds are being caught along the dam and over flats on
crankbaits and worms. Eighteen-inch minimum length limit.
Hillsdale, Banner Creek, Milford reservoirs; the Jeffery Energy
Center Make-Up Lake; Centralia City Lake; Sabetha Pony Creek
Lake; and Wyandotte County lake are rated fair to good.
Region 3 (southwest)
This region has few lakes and none currently report good
walleye fishing although Scott and Clark state fishing lakes
are rated fair.
Region 4 (southcentral)
Cheney Reservoir -- Fish are being caught on main lake points.
Trolling crankbaits has worked well. Fish also can be caught
drifting nightcrawlers. This lake has a 21-inch length limit.
Wellington City Lake -- With an 18-inch length limit, this lake
finds anglers catching walleye drifting mud flats with worms
on jigs.
El Dorado and Marion reservoirs and Winfield City Lake are rated
fair.
Region 5 (southeast)
Coffey County Lake -- Walleye 14 to 22 inches long are being
caught on the points and flats using a jig and worm combination,
minnows, and trolling crank baits. Walleye 18 through 26 inches
are protected.
Pomona Reservoir -- Anglers are catching walleye longer than
15 inches off windy points using jigs and minnows. Eighteen-inch
length limit.
Melvern Reservoir, Osage State Fishing Lake, Elm Creek Lake,
Pleasanton City Lake East, and Yates Center Reservoir are rated
fair.
Anglers should keep in mind that conditions for walleye fishing
can change daily.
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