Melvern Reservoir
35 miles S of Topeka on US-75
US Army Corps of Engineers - Melvern Reservoir (785) 549-3318
GPS Location: N38 31.72 W95 44.70
Location/Address:
Topeka, KS
Impoundment Type: Reservoir
Surface Acres: 7,000 acres
Maximum Depth: 60 feet
Normal Lake Level: 1036 msl
Current Lake Level: 1036.03 - Discharge of 20 csf
Lake Temperature: 51 F.
| Fishing Population | Creel Limit | Min Length Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | ||
| Channel Catfish | 10 | |
| Crappie | 20 | 10 |
| Flathead Catfish | 5 | |
| Green Sunfish | ||
| Largemouth Bass | 6 | 18 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 6 | 18 |
| Spotted Bass | 6 | 18 |
| Striped Bass | 2 | 18 |
| Walleye | 5 | 18 |
| Blue Catfish | 10 | |
| Sauger | 5 | 15 |
** Striped Bass or Wiper in Combination
*** Walleye, Sauger or Saugeye in Combination
Fishing Report - Last Update: 2/8/2012
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Species |
Rating |
Size |
Baits, Method, & Location |
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New 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 17th and click on the Kansas Crappie Bonanza link to view the video! |
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If you would like to receive additional information about this lake a couple of times a year, sign up for the newsletter at the following link http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Lawrence-Fishing-District |
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Current Fishing Opportunity - Crappie |
Fair-Good |
0.33-1.5 lbs |
Spotty, some days fishing is good some days not so good. Minnows are working some days, other days crappie prefer jigs. Vertically fishing jigs over brushpiles has been producting some good fish. In the heated dock, both minnows and jigs depending on the day have worked well. |
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This is a generic fishing report/2012 forecast that will be in place until regular weekly fishing reports resume in the spring. |
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Crappie |
Catch parameters for Melvern were up comparing 2011 to 2010 data, except numbers of crappie bigger than 12" were down. 2012 crappie fishing should be good. Currently crappie can be caught using jigs tipped with nibbles over deepwater cover. |
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Channel catfish |
Sample catch of channel catfish was up in 2011, which should indicate a good year in 2012. Most fish are 16-20". |
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Walleye |
Most fish collected were 15-20". Number sampled was not high, but angling should be fair. |
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White bass |
Moderate numbers of white bass were observed in 2011. A good percentage of fish measured 14-16" and should supply a fair fishery. |
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Sauger |
Few fish were sampled, so the status of this fishery is in doubt, but I think that it should be fair. |
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Largemouth bass |
Few largemouth bass were sampled. This population based upon the sample would supply a poor fishery. |
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Smallmouth bass |
Smallmouth bass catch rate was up in 2011 and should supply a good fishery in 2012. A good percentage of fish exceeded 14". |
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General Comments |
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Lake level was 2.3 ' below normal, release = 20 cfs, and temperature = 39 F, Feb. 8. Melvern Reservoir has Zebra Mussels, Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat and fishing equipment when leaving the lake to keep from spreading them to other lakes. |
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