Kirwin Reservoir

2013 FISHING OUTLOOK

The information that is below is an outlook on how the fish populations should be in 2013 and are based on the 2012 Fall sampling.

Walleye

Good

Majority 20 to 25 inches

Walleye fishing should be good, however, numbers are down slightly from last year with17% being in the 7 to 10 inch size range, 24% being in the 11 to 15 inch size range, 17% being in the 15 to 20 inch size range and 34% being in the 20 to 25 inch size range. Therefore 51% are over the 15 inch length limit. The largest fish sampled weighted 8.1 lbs. Rated #5 in state for density of fish 15 inches and above.

White Bass

Fair

Majority 12 to 15 inches

Numbers are down from last year with the majority of fish being in the 12 to 15 inch size range accounting for 80%. Fish 9 to 12 inches accounted for 4% and fish over 15 inches accounted for 14%. The biggest fish weighted 2.43 lbs.

Wiper

Good

Majority 15 to 20 inches

Numbers are up from last year with the majority of fish being in the 15 to 20 inch size range accounting for 46%. Fish 8 to 11 inches accounted for 7%, 12 to 15 inch fish accounted for 33% and fish over 20 inches accounted for 14%. The biggest fish weighted 8.49 lbs. Ranked #2 in the state for density of fish 12 inches and above.

Channel Catfish

Good

Majority 16 to 24 inches

Catfishing should be good with the numbers up from last year. The population is still fairly young with fish 9 to 12 inches accounting for 6%, fish 12 to 16 inches accounting for 39%, fish 16 to 24 inches accounting for 45% and fish 24 inch plus accounted for 9%. Biggest fish weighted 23.37 lbs.

Crappie

Fair & Good

Majority 2 to 5 inches

Although low numbers of fish were caught in the trap nets due to cold fronts passing through crappie fishing should be good for black crappie and fair for white crappie. Had a really good crappie spawn for both with 87% of the blacks and 99% of the whites being 2 to 5 inches. However, the density rating for black crappie is #5 in the state for fish 8 inches and above.

Largemouth Bass

Good

Majority 15 to 20 inches

The bass fishery is starting to come around and should be good. The majority of fish were in the 15 to 20 inch size range accounting for 58%, fish 6 to 12 inches accounted for 25%, and fish 13 to 15 inches accounted for 17%. Density rating for the state is #7 for fish 12 inches and above.

CURRENT FISHING

Crappie

Good

7 to 17 inches

Have been catching fish around the fish attractors and drop offs using jigs. Fish are also being caught trolling with diving lures in 11-20' of water. Fish are also up in the shallows of coves and along the tree lines.

Walleye

Good

15 to 28 inches

Have had reports of some fish being caught along the river channel, flats and drop offs using jigs and night crawlers. Remember the 15 inch length limit and release those short fish.

White Bass/ Wiper

Fair

10 to 30 inches

Have had reports of fish being caught around the fish attractors and drop offs using jigs and also on jig and night crawlers while fishing for walleye. Stocked 200,000 wiper fry on May 16th.

Catfish

Poor

20 to 30 inches

Have had reports of fish being caught along Crappie Point using stink bait. Try fishing the rocky areas as the channels and flatheads will be moving into this type of habitat to spawn.

WATER TEMPERATURE- 71

SURFACE ELEVATION- 1723.52 ---- 5.73' below conservation pool

Currently, the water level is 4.87 feet lower than one year ago at this time. The Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) has been put into effect at Kirwin, so if you have any questions contact the Service at 785-543-6673 or stop by their office at 702 Xavier Road. The seasonal boat closer has been lifted and boats are allowed on the Reservoir. When the water elevation reaches 1722.00 feet the closure will be reinstated.

We will be conducting a creel survey at Kirwin from March thru October so if you are approached by our creel clerk Ali Hadley, Please take a few minutes and answer some questions she will be asking. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

KDWPT has released the "Walleye for Tomorrow" video and uploaded the video to the KDWPT You Tube channel. The video can be viewed at http://youtu.be/8BMsifSvf-U .

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!

KDWPT will be releasing the Urban Stocking Fish Program video soon and it can be found at http://youtu.be/5l4QiSfsQbQ

Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water! Therefore, please discard leftover bait in a trash can.

Now Available: A Webster District newsletter that will include Webster, Kirwin and Keith Sebelius Reservoir's will be coming out soon. If you would like to subscribe to this spring and fall newsletter you can go to the following link to get on the mailing list. The link is: http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/News/Newsletter-Request-Forms/Request-a-Newsletter-for-the-Webster-Reservoir-Fishing-District