El Dorado Reservoir

New Kansas Crappie Fishing Video

KDWPT will be releasing the recently completed “Kansas Crappie Bonanza” video on February 17, 2012. This 25-minute video covers Kansas crappie fishing during spring, summer, fall, and winter with tips and tactics to make you a better crappie angler. Visit the KDWPT homepage on February 17^th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!

You can view a promotional video for the Kansas Crappie Bonanza HERE.

This is a generic winter time fishing report for El Dorado Reservoir. Weekly updated fishing reports will return in March 2012. Trout reports will continue to be updated and other hot bites that may develop will also be added to the report.

Fishing Newsletter

We have created a fishing newsletter that can be sent out to all that want it. This newsletter is for fishing information for the El Dorado District(Cowley,Butler, Chase, & Morris counties) only.

You can view past newsletters from across the state HERE.

Zebra Mussels

Zebra mussel veligers (larval zebra mussels) are too small to be seen with the unaided eye and they can be found in boat livewells, minnow buckets, boat bilges, water toys and anything else that is capable of holding even a small amount of water.

Be sure to drain all equipment before leaving the lake to avoid moving veligers to other waters. THIS INCLUDES MINNOW BUCKETS AND BOAT LIVEWELLS AND BILGES!!!

CLEAN DRAIN & DRY Every Lake, Every Time!

Click HERE to learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. REMEMBER!! Zebra Mussels are also present in the Trout Area below the dam!!

Blue catfish

A few blues are being caught incidental to other species with most ranging 12 to 20 inches in length. No real pattern as the fish are being caught at a wide range of depths on a variety of baits. Blues favor the river channel areas and they will hit crankbaits, live bait (shad and crawlers), or other artificials.

We are finding tagged blue catfish this year during sampling, so be sure to check any blues you catch for tags. See info below.

The majority of these fish are below the 35-inch minimum length limit and must be released immediately. Take time to properly identify your catfish catch. Click HERE for information on how to properly identify your catch.

During July 2005, the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks stocked 600 tagged blue catfish in to El Dorado Reservoir. The stocked fish ranged in length from 10 to over 23 inches. The minimum length limit for blue catfish at El Dorado is 35 inches so nearly all tagged fish will need to be released. The tag is located at the base of the dorsal fin and is yellow in color. If you catch a tagged fish at El Dorado Reservoir record the 5-digit number on the tag, measure the length of the fish, promptly release the fish with the tag intact, note the location the fish was caught, and contact the fisheries biologist at 316-322-7513. Information received from anglers regarding tagged blue catfish will provide useful information to the biologists and will assist in the tracking of the population. Thank you for your assistance!

Wiper

The lake has good numbers of legal wiper this fall and the fish are in good condition. Fish in the 24 and 25-inch range have been reported by anglers this year. Fish continue to be caught on crankbaits, slabs, and plastics. As temps fall in the lower 40s look for fish along river channels, rock humps, and breaks where vertical fishing with spoons or plastics will be your best bet.

We stocked 1.3 million wiper fry on 5/23/2011.

We stocked 40,000 wiper fingerlings on 6/13/2011

Be sure to properly ID your catch as there is there is an 21-inch minimum length limit and 2/day creel limit on wiper.. Click HERE for tips on identifying wipers.

White bass

White bass numbers are up during 2011 and angler catch has increased as well. There are abundant larger white bass (up to 2 lbs) available and also good numbers of smaller whites present to provide fishing opportunities in the near future. Look for cold water whites in the upper arms of the lake near rip rapped causeways and creek channels. Blade baits, spoons, and jigs are all good choices for vertical fishing during winter months.

Wipers can be caught along with white bass so it is important to properly identify your catch before putting it on a stringer. Click HERE for tips on identifying wipers.

White Perch

Bait anglers are catching white perch in depths 15 to 20 feet deep on nightcrawlers with very small hooks. Anglers pulling spinners with nightcrawlers are also picking up white perch. Slab spoons with a small jig 18-inches above the spoon are producing white perch, (as well as white bass and wiper).Most of the white perch are 6 to 9-inches in length. Remember it is illegal to posses live white perch. Click HERE for info on properly identifying white perch.

White crappie

Crappie are active throughout the winter months and usually concentrate by mid to late December. Concentrations of fish can be found on deep water brush or submerged timber, channel ledges, and man made brushpiles. A boat is very helpful to persue coldwater crappie as finding cover and fish with electronics is key to angler success. Jigs are the bait of choice during winter but occasionally small spoons can be a hot bait.

Channel Catfish

Channel cat density and size has improved during 2011. Catch rates increased during the 2011 fall test netting sample. Winter time catfish don't interest anglers much as the cats are pretty slow in the cold water. Look for good catfishing after ice out, especially a heavy shad winter kill occurs.

Walleye

Walleye will remain active throughout the winter months. As the water cools, your presentation must slow accordingly. Larger baits tipped with large live minnows are good winter time walleye tactic.

THE WALLEYE LENGTH LIMIT IS 21-INCHES WITH A 2/day CREEL LIMIT.

Rainbow Trout

Good

10 to 19-inches

Trout were stocked February 9, 2012. 635 trout were stocked.

Ice update: No ice present as of 9am 2/9/2012.

Trout have been caught on PowerBait and cheese recently. Spinners, spoons, and jigs also producing some fish. Trout in 1 to 1 1/2 pound range have been caught recently.

A trout permit is required to fish at the El Dorado Trout Stream.

2.4 feet low, releasing 5 CFS. Click Here for the most up to date lake level information.

Thoroughly scout the Wildlife Area ramps before attempting to launch as conditions are changing on a daily basis--look for posted signs regarding ramp status. Low water conditions are exposing many shallow areas far from shore creating boating hazards. Keep a close eye on the depth finder while boating and go slow in areas that you are unfamiliar with. Obstacles are changing weekly as water levels continue to drop. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

ZEBRA MUSSEL & WHITE PERCH WARNING! El Dorado Reservoir and the Walnut River below the reservoir contain zebra mussels and white perch. Take zebra mussel control precautions when leaving the lake, Trout Area, and Stilling Basin. For information on Zebra Mussels click Here.

Want to share your own fishing report? Go to KDWPT REG4 Public Fishing Report Blog.