Critzer Lake

Don George, Fisheries Biologist 913-795-2218

Driving Directions: From Mound City go north on Hwy 7 to 875 Road; turn west onto 875 Road and follow the blacktop surface. The road will change from 875 Road to 900 Road and then to 1000 Road. From 1000 Road turn south onto Ingrahm Road. At 950 Road turn west and proceed to Hahn Cove, the Critzer Lake entrance. The lake entrance is south off of 950 Road.

Critzer Lake was designed and built as a regional water supply impoundment by Public Wholesale Water Supply District #13. The recreational opportunities are managed by Linn County. For additional information click on the link provided below and you will be directed to the Linn County, Kansas website.

Linn County, Kansas Website

GPS Location: +38 degrees 9' 38.20", -94 degrees 55' 28.87"

Location/Address:
Mound City, KS 66056

Impoundment Type: Community Lake

Surface Acres: 220

Maximum Depth: 50

Normal Lake Level: conservation pool

Current Lake Level: Normal

Critzer Lake is 220 surface acres with a maximum depth of 50 feet. It is 2.4 miles long and has a large quantity of standing trees and habitat below the surface, so please adhere to the no wake policy. This is a fishing lake only not open to recreational boating. In 2007, the lake was impounded and stocked with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, redear, sunfish and black crappie. Fishing has been very good generally for all species. Largemouth bass anglers have been especially successful. This is primarily a boat lake.

Fishing PopulationCreel LimitMin Length Limit
Largemouth Bass 2 21"
Smallmouth Bass 2 18"
Channel Catfish 2 15"
Walleye 2 18"
Crappie 10 10"
* Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Bass in Combination
** Striped Bass or Wiper in Combination
*** Walleye, Sauger or Saugeye in Combination

Fishing Report - Last Update: 5/15/2012

Species

Rating

Size

Baits, Method, & Location

Largemouth Bass

Good

13 to 16 inches

some larger fish available up to 6 pounds, best luck with dark colored jipnpigs, close to structure

Smallmouth Bass

Slow

13 to 15"

jigs, spinners, along the dam and rocky shorelines

Channel Catfish

Good

12" to 8 pounds

the fish feeder is ON, worms, liver, prepared baits, spinners, plastic baits. lakewide

Crappie

Fair

any size

not many reports, hard to find, minnows and jigs, lakewide

Walleye

Fair

most between 15 to 17 inches

jigs tipped with worms, spinners, lakewide

General Comments

This lake opened to fishing on August 24th. with great reviews. Critzer Lake offers limited shoreline angling that is enhanced with 2 fishing piers and a fish feeder. There is a double lane boatramp and the lake is primarily a boat lake. This 220 acre lake offers 180 acres of standing timber so there is a no-wake limit. Lake brochures are available at the Linn County Courthouse, in KDWPT's Information Display Case or online at www.linncountyks.com or contact Fisheries Biologist, Don George at 913-795-2218. Remember to "CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY" your boats,trailers and equipment. Fishing will be improving as the water warms up and some species prepare to spawn.

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 homepageon February 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video!