Pointers/tips for a noob to fishing KS?

**CrazyCarl** · 03-14-2024, 11:14 AM

Howdy y'all. Just started fishing two years ago & had to take last year off, thanks to divorce & relocation from central MO to NE KS. Just bought a nice Suntracker Sportfish 20DLX pontoon & am itching to get back out on the water.

I'm in WYCO, so as far as the "bigs" go, we're figuring Perry, Clinton, or Hillsdale, with Perry & Clinton being the nearest. I've also read that some of the state/county fishing lakes are pretty decent.

So, we're not after any one species & love eating fish. Crappie's an obvious choice, but I've never caught a white bass/wiper & heard they're a hoot & tasty besides. Walleye or sauger would be lovely, as would yellow perch if any are to be found. We don't really target catfish, but eaters don't get tossed back. All that said, I would dearly love to find a place with decent bluegill or shellcrackers.

Y'all have a preference between Perry, Clinton & Hillsdale? Is one significantly better than the other for a particular species?

From what I can find online, some of the small lakes near-ish by like Douglas/Baldwin City or Osawotamie should have decent bluegill or shellcracker fishing. I've heard Atchison & Guy B. Park are good for 'em, but that boats are a no-go. Has anyone ever fished Tonganoxie? It's the nearest to me (excluding WYCO, which I'm not interested in), but I can find any info or anyone who's fished it.

Any pointers or advice on which lake y'all like would be greatly appreciated. Any caveats are welcome, as well. I hear Clinton becomes a party lake during the summer & that is very much NOT my scene.

**skeeter96** · 03-14-2024, 01:28 PM

The pink dots are structure put in by the state either pvc or brush piles. I also dropped a flag on the island out in front of the old marina that is really good for wipers. The more wind the better for wipers. Around the rip rap at the old marina and inside or it is a lot of brush piles that are good in the spring. The dam is good trolling for all species. A lot of standing timber still in the lake. Zoomy and several other from that area can help you more than I can. Good luck and hang on and have a good drag when you hook a wiper. Name: Screenshot_20240314-132016.jpg
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Name: Screenshot_20240314-132016.jpg
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Size: 45.5 KB

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

**whatroads** · 03-14-2024, 01:40 PM

Hello Crazy Carl,

I live in Lenexa. So, I'm close to you. Clinton, Perry and Hillsdale all have good crappie fishing. Clinton has good white bass as well. Walleye can be had at all three lakes. 24 highway will take you to either Perry or Clinton without having to pay the tolls on I-70 West. Be careful on Clinton and Hillsdale. Both have submerged standing timber that can be dangerous

Douglas County does have shell crackers. It also has a good black crappie population. The Largemouth bass are finally getting of size, (5lbs). Olathe lake is good for bass and crappie too. Just can not run a gas engine on Olathe. A lake, you did not mention but should consider, is Lonestar, just south of Clinton. I've done well on both bass and crappie there. All of the area lakes are approaching 50 degrees surface temp. Crappie will be moving into the coves and shallower water. Concentrate on the windy banks

Welcome to the area

**CrazyCarl** · 03-15-2024, 04:37 PM

Thanks for the pointers, fellas. Much appreciated.

I'm actually from here. In fact, I'm living less than 2 blocks from the little house I lived in through kindergarten. Long story short, I had to get as far away as possible, joined the Army right outta high school & swore I'd never come back. 35 years later, it was the girl I'd had a crush on since I was 13 y/o that brought me back. And, truth? It's good to finally be home.

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