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Kansas Fishing Report
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March 31, 2008 - Question
on Lake Afton - I just wanted to know if anyone has
a fishing report for lake Afton. Goddard, KS
 March
23, 2008 - Fall River - I just
want to take a second to brag about this beast of a Crappie.
I apologize for the cell phone photo. I was Jigging with red
Squirt and Squirm, catching smaller Crappies most of the day
last Friday at the Fall River Reservoir. I took this 17 inch
Crappie in about 11 feet of water in a small cove. The fish weighed
4 pounds on the money, and I was using 6 lb. monofilament. The
hit was subtle, but the fight was great. I looked over at my
new fishing buddy Jordan, smiled, and said "I think this
one is a little bigger." All I can say is WOOOOHHHOOOOOO!!!!!!
Have a great time fishing, and remember to take a child fishing.
Yours,
Lee Lewis
March 23, 2008 - Question
on lake in Leavenworth -As a youth I fished a few
times with my father and his best friend at a private lake in
Leavenworth Kansas. I recall it being called Heims, Heinz or
Heimes Lake but can't remember for sure. I've tried to find info
on the net by searching the names or 'private lakes' in Leavenworth
and Kansas but can't find any info. Anyone know of such a Lake
or remember the name? Maybe it's been purchased and re-named?
It has been 40 years ago. Any info would be appreciated
thought I might try to find it and go fish it. Thanks!
Best regards,
Randall in Topeka
March 23, 2008 - Clinton
- Walleye are slow at Clinton. Been catching large females full
of eggs but have been releasing them as we all should. Most productive
pattern has been main lake points, breaks and humps. Gulp baits
and deep divers have been producing. Water temp is 42.3 at the
dam. Craig
March 22, 2008 - Ossawattami
- Walleyes are biting great at 8th street fish on the south side
March 19, 2008 - Answer
to Question on Water Temps - I have always used surface
temperatures to determine fish temperament (on typical Kansas
water). Although water temperature is affected by wind, rain,
run off, drainage pipes, shade, natural springs, extended periods
of sun, etc. I always keep a small thermometer in my tackle bags
for times when I'm not out on the boat. It really helps me in
determine how close the fish are to spawning.
In Kansas, we have muddy, shallow and windblown
water. Therefore we rarely encounter problems with oxygen issues
(warm water holds less oxygen then cold water) and lake turnover
due to the lack of a thermocline. If you do a majority of your
fishing in Kansas water, the surface temperature will (most of
the time) be comparable to the water temperatures several feet
below it. On extremely windy days, the surface temperature might
be the same as water temperatures 10+ feet below it. Although
I have discovered that windblown bank lines can be several degrees
cooler then opposite bank lines due to the wind and waves.
A little common sense will tell you how water temperatures
are being affected as well. A nice rain shower will cool off
the surface temperature and the bank lines due to run off. Smaller
bodies of water will always warm faster than large bodies of
water. Shallow coves off of main lakes will warm slightly faster
than the main body of the lake, thus attracting fish during pre-spawn
and spawn periods. And (according to Woo Daves) the northeastern
part of lakes will warm faster due to solar positioning early
in the year.
I hope this helps!
Joe Shreve
March 19, 2008 - Question on Water Temps
- When "they", who ever they is, talk about
the best water temperatures for catching fish, at what depth
are they referring to? Surface? A foot down? Where the fish should
be? Never did have this explained.
March 18, 2008 - More
on Tuttle Creek Question - For lakes that have no
structure like you're explaining for TUTTLE Creek try drifting
when it's windy on the first few warm days we get. The Crappie
will suspend in small groups very shallow in the water column
and you can catch them easily by drifting through key areas that
they are staging for the upcoming spawn. When drifting your jigs
can be small 1/16 oz on the first few warm days and when things
warm up a bit or when the wind is stronger then you can go to
1/8 oz jigs with minnows attached. To avoid line twist you can
add swivel to a leader but you don't have to if you re-tie your
jig every so often. This approach works well in lakes that are
dishpan lakes with little or no cover. They will hit your jig
30 or 40 feet back from your boat and you will catch the larger
crappie using this approach. This approach worked extremely well
In the Nebraska dishpan lakes around the Lincoln area. You can
motor around and see schools of fish on your depth finder usually
and then drift back through them. Keep in mind you need a fair
amount of wind for this approach usually which isn't usually
a problem in the spring.
March 18, 2008 - Milford
Question - Looking for some info on approximate dates
for the pre-spawn at Milford for Walleye?? Last year was first
year fishing down their and would like some general info on good
areas or baits for walleye and wipers.
Chad
March 15, 2008 - Big Hill ABA Tournament - Submitted
by Curt Graves - Got
2 bites and shook off fish on a short practice on Friday up the
river. With 10-20 mph N wind and rain, I was concerned if the
fish would hold in the river. I fished the jig for a good hour
without a bite. When I finally got a bite, the fish swam to the
left and dropped the jig; swing and miss. This happened 2X's
so I switched to a tube. I quickly started getting more bites
but missed a number of fish until the temp's warmed and the water
got back to 50 degrees in the river (NOTE...the water was 44-47
on the main lake).
I was able to catch 3 small keepers on the tube and 1 nice 3.5#
on a crankbait. I lost a giant on the crankbait; should have
had size 4 trebles instead of little 6's. Also lost a 3# fish
over a laydown on the tube. Floroucarbon line and a Quantum PT
6'10 Heavy rod were used with the tube. I am experimenting with
different brands of tubes.
Some are thicker and tougher to get a hook set into the fish;
however, these have a different fall. More to come on this subject,
 March 11,
2008 - More on Tuttle Creek Question -
In reference to the other report about fishing and
this one I would like to explain why I 'm catching a few fish.
Like all lakes when Tuttle was new we caught tons of crappie.
Like all lakes when they get old they don't produce. No structure
is the problem! My opinion only: Tuttle had 60 % more crappie
in 1980 that it does today. I would catch 50 each day and the
spawn would be unbelievable. Those days are gone! No structure!
No spawn! You could fish the outlet and catch a 7 inch crappie
every cast. Things changed after the flood of 93. We do have
some extra large fish in Tuttle but without the structure they
are hard to find. The only time you will catch the numbers is
durning the spawn. I put in three pieces of a pine tree and thats
why the fish are there. It was alot of work and won't last but
a few years. What structure we had is dead or covered up with
silt. You can look for these crappie for days and not find them.
When the spawn arrives you'll be able to catch some nice ones
and then they disappear and extremely hard to find after that.
I did get lucky today and caught 35 nice fish. We need some warm
nights, for what we gain durning the day we lose it at night.
Most of us are ready, its been a long winter! RKH
March 11, 2008 - Response
to answer to Tuttle Creek Question - Thanks for the
update. I am having withdrawals from fishing and it really nice
to be able to at least read about the fishing going on back in
Kansas . I hope the weather warms up and fishing picks up.
Clark
 March
8, 2008 - Answer to Tuttle Creek Question
- The spillway at Tuttle Ck has been very poor this
winter due to a ruff winter but mostly due to water being released.
The tubes have been open all winter between 1200 and 2500 cubic
feet. When the water temp gets below 38 they keep out of the
current. They don't mind the cold water but they do like it still.
The pass few years the tubes have been shut down to 500 or less
with a water temp of 38, this year water temp is 33 and to much
current. The ice just come off of the lake in the past 10 days.
I caught these crappie last saturday on the lake in 33' of water
but we need to get a rise in water temp to about 40 before its
really takes off.
RKH
March 7, 2008 - Tuttle
Creek Question - I am currently deployed in Iraq and
have been trying to get an update on the fishing at Tuttle Creek.
I really enjoy catching Crappie and Saugeye at the spillway.
Do you know when you will be able to update your site. Thanks!
(Editor's note - Let's see if we can
get him some answers.)
March 6, 2008 - Cheney
-As it gets closer to getting out the boats and fishing
equipment. All the preparation required, (fishing licenses, batteries,
paying for registration, filling up boat tanks, oil, fuel, ext...)
I'm well over $300 and have not even gotten the boat wet yet.
How much cheaper it would be each year if i just bank fished?
As i start bring in those monster fish the biologist are smiling
about i suppose the expense wont even come into play.
Mark
March 5, 2008 - Kanopolis
- Last week we were out at Kanopolis Lake and there
were a lot of walleye and saugeye being caught of of Loaders
point. For those of you who have never fished Kanopolis Lake,
this is the point on the north side of the lake closest to the
dam.
Good Luck All,
John
March 4, 2008 - Answer
to question about anchors - In answer to the anchor
question, I use the DIGGER ANCHOR. It is by far the best most
reliable anchor I have ever used. Cabelas sells them, as well
as most sporting goods stores. they range from $49 to $89, and
work in most bottom scenerios.
Mike E.
March 2, 2008 - Question
about walleye and wiper at Milford - This will be
my 1st year at Milford fishing and would like some help on
where and what to use for walleye and wiper fishing?????
March 2, 2008 - Question
about anchors - Just bought a 14 foot aluminum, flat
bottomed jon boat with 2.5 Mercury motor along with Minn Kota
transom and bow mounted trolling motors. Question -- what should
we consider for anchors and positioning of the anchors We will
fish Lake Shawnee in Topeka (400 plus acres) primarily. Have
some experience with mushroom style weights and have not been
impressed. Feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!
All the BEST!
Randall and Carolyn
Topeka, KS
February 25, 2008 - Answer
to question about walleye fishing - Join the rest
of us on the bank of the Dam at dusk, around mid-March casting
jigs & shallow crankbaits parallel to the bank. Waders are
nice but not necessary. Males show up first, then the females.
In a few weeks it's all over. Not a great bite but a nice chance
to go fishing and a good chance to catch a big one.
February 20, 2008 - Question
about walleye fishing - I don't know about anyone
else, but I keep hearing people at work talk about how the walleye
fishing will be picking up soon, Is this true? I love catching
walleye, however I usually dont start fishing for them until
I hear that they are on the flats. I really want to try some
pre-spawn fishing for them this year, but I have never done this
sort of thing before. Is there a certain time, water temp. or
technique that work best? I fish mostly kanopolis and wilson
lakes and would greatly appreciate any tips and advice.
Thank you, and keep the reports coming,
John M.
February 12, 2008 - Cedar
Bluff - Monday I had good luck with corn just off
the edge of ice late in the day along north side
February 11, 2008 - Question
for Ryan on Wichita Pond Fishing -Where did you go
fishing for the bass? I also live in southeast Wichita and would
like to know some easy access spots for bass. Thanks.
MR
February 6, 2008 - Wichita
Pond Fishing - Recently, I was really wanting to get
out of the house and do some fishing. So, going against all of
my own intuition, I went bank fishing at some of my neighborhood
ponds, in Southeast Wichita. The water just unfroze and I used
a 1 3/4" minnow lure and fished from the bank. Not thinking
I would catch anything, because of the water temp and air temp,
I was rather lazy about my casting and reeling methods. But,
in a matter of ten minutes, I caught three Largemouth Bass, all
of them being 3lbs to 5lbs each. It was a surprise to me that
they would bite from the bank, but they did and hard. I'm sharing
this info, so others could try some of the urban fishing areas
around Sedgwick County, for some great Winter fishing!
Ryan
February 5, 2008 - Answer
on Milford Blues - When it comes to Milfords record
I think its in the late 40's and the reason for that world be
its a lot of work and time to get it in the record books. The
fish has to be documented by the fish and game and that can take
time. I'm sure many fishermen at Milford have caught some large
fish but don't have all day to get it recorded. If the fish is
60lbs, it won't fit in the live well so keeping it alive will
be difficult. Over the next few years you should see the fish
get up to 75 lbs. I would think after that the growth would be
slow. The one's caught daily in the Mississippi are not much
larger than Milfords but because they been there forever every
once in a while someone gets lucky and catches one over a hundred.
I catch them at the month of the Mississippi and most are 10
to 60 lbs. I have got lucky and caught one 87 lbs. I don't think
anyone knows for sure how big they'll get in Milford. If they
have plenty of food, they should keep growing. We can hope for
a 80 lb fish someday. RKH
February 4, 2008 - Answer
on Milford Blues - First off : its been a long winter
and I'm looking forward to getting back on the water. I have
spent some time down south since fall catching red fish but ready
to get the year started. Milford's largest bluecat range is 40
to 60 lbs. They first stocked blues in 1990 so my guess is that
the first ones could be as large as 60 to 70 lbs. Biologist tell
me 60 lbs. My largest is 64 and 58,56,55,54,51 and 50. I caught
123 large blues in 2005, 108 in 2006 and a little more than half
in 2007. I fish madison north and they were not in large schools
like the years before. In 05 and 06 I would catch 10 in a morning
from 27 to 48 lbs. I do think sometimes its the bait. I had an
easier time in 05 and 06 getting fresh shad daily. 07 was tough
for me getting enough large shad for bait. I wish I knew the
answer on why it was so tough in 07. They might of stayed south
in deeper water and not made they way north like they have in
previous years. I can say for sure that the fish were not north
of madison like they were 3 years ago. In 05 I caught over 100
wipers 10 to 17 lbs fishing for blues in the spring and 5 walleye
8 to 10 lbs fishing the drops off for blues with live bait. Nothing
in 2007! You could have a point on them going upstream but where
I fish which is in the river channel that would of made fishing
better. Blues travel in search of food and do not store fat like
other catfish. They eat everyday to maintain there weight. There
on the move all the time. Speaking of the inflow in water, the
reason I caught so many blues on Tuttle CK was we had water coming
in all year. Every year seems to be different and we need to
try different methods to catch these fish. Depending on what
kind of water we have blues are different than channels. Since
they stay suppended try different depths. I've caught many on
bobbers fishing 2 foot off the bottom. When fishing for blues
after daylight you need the wind to disguise you. If its calm
they know your there. The wind also keeps out the light. Fish
as far away from the boat as you can. Shad would be the first
bait choice, small mouth buffalo next and carp third. Hopefully
in the next 6 weeks it will all begin. We need a 6 degree temperture
rise to get the blues and walleye up in shallow water. I'm hopping
we had a good shad kill! I wish I had the answer why 2007 was
slower than prervious years but I have no clue. If we have a
lousy 2008 then maybe were short on fish but as for now we need
to give it one more year to make that assumption. I think were
in for a good year! I just bought a new boat and ready to hit
the water! No matter how much you fish its impossible to figure
them out. I know this doesn't answer your question but maybe
this time next year we will have a better answer. RKH
February 3, 2008 - Question
on Milford Blues - My question is to RKH, I was wondering
what Milfords lake record blue is? I also fish the lake alot
for channels/blues and and agree that 2007 was slow on the big
cats. My friend and I cought 11 one night between 19-37 lbs.
in 2006. and strugled in 07 with maybe a good fish every 4-5
trips. Do you think that the high in flow in the spring caused
alot of the big fish to swim up currant? If you would please
drop me an e-mail at rgnagy@att.net.
(Editor's Note - Please send
us the answer also so we can post it)
January 30, 2008 - Melvern
Heated Dock Question - Has anyone ever fished the
heated docks at Melvern? My buddy and I are planning a trip up
there this weekend and we were hoping that we might be able to
get some tips from you crappie anglers out there. we would like
to know if it would be better to use jigs, spoons, or live bait?
any help would be greatly appreciated. I just wanna catch a few
of those little guys for the frying pan.
Thanks,
John
January 29, 2008 - Ice
Fishing El Dorado - My dad and I went out to El Dorado
on Saturday to catch some white bass through the ice one last
time this year. Started about 8am and ended about 4. We finished
the day with 54 fish and another guy out there ended with 17.
Decided to go back out Sunday and give it one more shot. Fished
from 8 until noon and caught 43 more. All fish were caught in
about 8-14 feet in the river channel. It was fun but I am ready
to get the boat back out. Good luck fishing this year and keep
the reports coming.
Chad
January 28, 2008 - Ice
Fishing Question - Hi everyone, just wanting to know
how ice fishing has been going on the lakes the past couple of
weeks. I heard great reports from kanopolis lake on crappie in
the marina cove brush piles, but other than that I have heard
absolutly nothing.
Have a great week,
jm
Editor's Note: Sorry, somehow all the reports
between now and the first of the year were lost because an old
page was uploaded instead of an updated one.
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