Wilson Reservoir
US Army Corps of Engineers 785-658-2551
GPS Location: N38 54.715 W98 30.066
Location/Address:
Sylvan Grove, KS
Impoundment Type: Reservoir
Surface Acres: 9,040 acres
Maximum Depth: 65 feet
Normal Lake Level: 1516 msl. This lake generally has a fairly stable water level.
Current Lake Level: 3.7 feet below conservation, releasing 14 cfs
Lake Temperature: 66 degrees
| Fishing Population | Creel Limit | Min Length Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | ||
| Channel Catfish | 10 | |
| Crappie | 50 | |
| Flathead Catfish | 5 | |
| Largemouth Bass | 5 | 15" |
| Smallmouth Bass | 5 | 15" |
| Spotted Bass | 5 | 15" |
| Striped Bass | 2 | |
| Walleye | 5 | 15" |
| White Bass | ||
| White Perch | ||
| Blue Catfish | 5 | 35" |
** Striped Bass or Wiper in Combination
*** Walleye, Sauger or Saugeye in Combination
Fishing Report - Last Update: 5/22/2013
|
Species |
Rating |
Size |
Baits, Method, & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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. Be on the lookout for blue catfish which are also in the reservoir. They are not legal size yet so make sure and take care to return them to the water. There is a 35 inch minimum length limit on blue catfish at Wilson Reservoir! |
|
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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General Comments |
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BOAT RAMP UPDATE: Due to low water and/or sand loading the following ramps are closed: Cedar Creek. Several ramps are accessible, but are being affected by sand loading and low water levels. All other boat ramps are open and boaters can expect to use them as normal. The current lake elevation and water temperature are posted on the location page daily by the Corp of Engineers - it is linked to this fishing report page for your convenience. We have two Aquatic Nuisance Species - white perch and zebra mussels and have joined Cheney and El Dorado as lakes with both species. The law now says that if anyone leaves the lake with water in your livewell or boat, you are subject to a ticket for transporting Zebra Mussels since they will spawn and the microscopic little mussels will probably be in every drop of water in the lake. Make sure you drain all water from the boat before you leave the boat ramp area!!! We have been taking veliger samples and the samples were high so be sure to drain and dry everything!!!!!! |
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