Se Kansas Fishing Help

[ksfishinguy]

Hey guys. I'm newer to this area, and I'm planning a three day weekend for a getaway fishing trip.

 

I'll be headed to SE Kansas, by myself, with just a 10' Pelican Bass Raider and no depth finder. I love smaller SFL's, so I'm looking to target those or similar bodies of water.

 

Other than the boat, I have a full arsenal. I can fish whatever technique, but I love finesse plastics or power cranking/ spinner baits. Fun lakes with a lot of cover are up my alley.

 

 

Aaaanyway, I've read there are some good lakes in SE Kansas. I'm planning for Sept 13,14, and 15. Hopefully heavily fished lakes won't be too stressed after Labor day.

 

Anyone have recommendations based on my information?

 

I'd like a lake with a decent population of bass, but I want somewhere that has some big fish in it too, so not something full of small fish.

 

Thanks for your input!

[gardnerjigman]

Bone creek, state pits by scammon and west mineral, fort Scott lake. Elsmore.

All solid fishing

[ksfishinguy]

Bone creek, state pits by scammon and west mineral, fort Scott lake. Elsmore.

All solid fishing

Thanks for the input. Do any of those have power to charge a battery? Also, do you have a preference for camping?

[Sprocket]

Fort Scott Lake has a camping area with hookups.  In order I would fish Cedar Creek, Bourbon Co. St. Lake, Bone Creek (good fishing near both ramps), then the mined wildlife pits.  Fort Scott lake would be a good place to camp but not the best fishing.  The reason I put the pits last is because although you can catch a bunch of fish, catching a quality fish can be a challange.  Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good fish in them, but you have to weed through the small ones. 

 

Cedar Creek is 7 miles west of Fort Scott and has all the cover you want.  There will be places on that lake that won't get fished for years because the cedars are so thick in spots.  Purfect lake for a buster type boat.  Lot of three and four pound bass and a few good ones as well. 

 

Bone Creek is a mini Lake Fork.  It has grass, trees, creek channels and some nice bass.  It usually takes a 20" bass to win the weekly evening jackpot tournament. 

 

Bourbon Co. St. Lake is a cool little lake.  Lot of smaller fish but some good ones as well.  Brush piles in the lake but without electronics, would be hard to find.

 

Give me a shout when it gets closer and I'll let you know what's going on.  I live in Fort Scott and I fish all these lakes.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[ksfishinguy]

Fort Scott Lake has a camping area with hookups.  In order I would fish Cedar Creek, Bourbon Co. St. Lake, Bone Creek (good fishing near both ramps), then the mined wildlife pits.  Fort Scott lake would be a good place to camp but not the best fishing.  The reason I put the pits last is because although you can catch a bunch of fish, catching a quality fish can be a challange.  Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good fish in them, but you have to weed through the small ones. 

 

Cedar Creek is 7 miles west of Fort Scott and has all the cover you want.  There will be places on that lake that won't get fished for years because the cedars are so thick in spots.  Purfect lake for a buster type boat.  Lot of three and four pound bass and a few good ones as well. 

 

Bone Creek is a mini Lake Fork.  It has grass, trees, creek channels and some nice bass.  It usually takes a 20" bass to win the weekly evening jackpot tournament. 

 

Bourbon Co. St. Lake is a cool little lake.  Lot of smaller fish but some good ones as well.  Brush piles in the lake but without electronics, would be hard to find.

 

Give me a shout when it gets closer and I'll let you know what's going on.  I live in Fort Scott and I fish all these lakes.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

Great information, thank you. I have been reading, and Cedar Creek has had my eye for quite awhile. Couple more questions, is it a SFL? If not, do you need a separate license to fish? Does it have decent places to camp? Any electric hook ups? 

[Sprocket]

It's not a SFL but you don't need any permits other than a Kansas fishing license.  You can primitive camp but no hookups at Cedar Creek.  Fort Scott Lake is the place to camp.  Only about 9 miles to Cedar Creek and only about 15 miles to Bone Creek.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[halfpint33]

I fish primarily the strip pits and unless you know which ones to hit you may be disappointed. Some produce and some don't. Best tip I can give you of fishing there is try a 7" tequila sunrise Powerbait worm. Catch them on that when nothing else works. If you are interested in hitting them let me know and I will give the pit numbers that I have had best luck in.

[Hannzo24]

Does anyone have a depth map for Bone Creek?  Heading there in a few weeks and just looking to do a little recon before I hit the lake.

[bassbassontherange]

Does anyone have a depth map for Bone Creek?  Heading there in a few weeks and just looking to do a little recon before I hit the lake.

Does such a thing exist? If you find one, I'd love to see it as well. Headed there the 14th and 15th!

[Sprocket]

I went to mapper.acme.com and printed off the topo of the area before it was damed up.  Find the lake level and draw in the border.  As far as I know, that's the only thing available.  And I think the level is just under 900'.  I also think Albers Marine in Arma has a topo map that is essentially what I did.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[gardnerjigman]

I went to mapper.acme.com and printed off the topo of the area before it was damed up. Find the lake level and draw in the border. As far as I know, that's the only thing available. And I think the level is just under 900'. I also think Albers Marine in Arma has a topo map that is essentially what I did.

SE Kansas grass grower

Yes, Albers in arma and johns in Pitt both have them.

[Hannzo24]

I went to mapper.acme.com and printed off the topo of the area before it was damed up.  Find the lake level and draw in the border.  As far as I know, that's the only thing available.  And I think the level is just under 900'.  I also think Albers Marine in Arma has a topo map that is essentially what I did.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

 

 Could you PM the image that you made?  I'd really appreciate it.

[Sprocket]

I'll see if I can find it.  Haven't had it out in a loooonnngg time.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[ksfishinguy]

Fort Scott Lake has a camping area with hookups.  In order I would fish Cedar Creek, Bourbon Co. St. Lake, Bone Creek (good fishing near both ramps), then the mined wildlife pits.  Fort Scott lake would be a good place to camp but not the best fishing.  The reason I put the pits last is because although you can catch a bunch of fish, catching a quality fish can be a challange.  Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good fish in them, but you have to weed through the small ones. 

 

Cedar Creek is 7 miles west of Fort Scott and has all the cover you want.  There will be places on that lake that won't get fished for years because the cedars are so thick in spots.  Purfect lake for a buster type boat.  Lot of three and four pound bass and a few good ones as well. 

 

Bone Creek is a mini Lake Fork.  It has grass, trees, creek channels and some nice bass.  It usually takes a 20" bass to win the weekly evening jackpot tournament. 

 

Bourbon Co. St. Lake is a cool little lake.  Lot of smaller fish but some good ones as well.  Brush piles in the lake but without electronics, would be hard to find.

 

Give me a shout when it gets closer and I'll let you know what's going on.  I live in Fort Scott and I fish all these lakes.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

Headed to your neck of the woods next week. How's it looking around there? I was thinking of Cedar Creek if the fish have been biting there, any advice? I can always camp at Ft. Scott if I need to recharge.

[Sprocket]

Been a little tough at Cedar Creek.  Didn't go out there this weekend.  Did go to Bone Creek Monday morning.  Caught 13.  Two of them right at 19", and 4 more over 16".  Most were on a square bill and a couple on a pop-r.  The first cove by the dam has a road down to it where you can launch your buster boat.  Look on google maps.  The west ramp is right between two coves that you can fish with your boat as well.

 

If I were going to Cedar tomorrow (or Bone Creek for that matter) I would have a square bill, a deep diving crank, a pop-r if there's a breeze a spook if calm, and a swim senko tied on.  Cedar Creek fish like to hold out in the cedars in 12 to 30' of water.  You have to flip or pitch in the middle of the trees with something that has a slim profile with braid.  Hence the swim senko.  A regular plastic worm would work just as well I presume.  The color I like is a dark blue/purple/black with blue and black fleck that I pour myself and dip the tail in chartruse spike-it. 

 

Check with me at the golf course in town if you need any other info.  I'm there till 2:30 during the week and early mornings on weekends.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[ksfishinguy]

Been a little tough at Cedar Creek.  Didn't go out there this weekend.  Did go to Bone Creek Monday morning.  Caught 13.  Two of them right at 19", and 4 more over 16".  Most were on a square bill and a couple on a pop-r.  The first cove by the dam has a road down to it where you can launch your buster boat.  Look on google maps.  The west ramp is right between two coves that you can fish with your boat as well.

 

If I were going to Cedar tomorrow (or Bone Creek for that matter) I would have a square bill, a deep diving crank, a pop-r if there's a breeze a spook if calm, and a swim senko tied on.  Cedar Creek fish like to hold out in the cedars in 12 to 30' of water.  You have to flip or pitch in the middle of the trees with something that has a slim profile with braid.  Hence the swim senko.  A regular plastic worm would work just as well I presume.  The color I like is a dark blue/purple/black with blue and black fleck that I pour myself and dip the tail in chartruse spike-it. 

 

Check with me at the golf course in town if you need any other info.  I'm there till 2:30 during the week and early mornings on weekends.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

That's some great information, thank you! Bone Creek it is! I have to admit, I was a little excited when you referenced it as a mini Lake Fork. The weather next week looks beautiful, so the bite might be a little tough, but I'll give em hell anyway. I'll be out there Sunday night, Monday, and Tuesday. Maybe I'll see you around. Thanks again!

[Sprocket]

So, ksfishinguy and hannzo how did your weekend go.  I talked to several of the yak brigade Saturday.  I had a pretty good morning with 16.  A couple keepers and several 16+".  Went to Critzer Sunday and it kicked my behind.  Only one 15" fish.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[ksfishinguy]

So, ksfishinguy and hannzo how did your weekend go.  I talked to several of the yak brigade Saturday.  I had a pretty good morning with 16.  A couple keepers and several 16+".  Went to Critzer Sunday and it kicked my behind.  Only one 15" fish.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

I fished Bone Creek on Sunday Morning and then again in the evening. Completely new to the lake and didn't really know where to start. Had your suggestions tied on and then some: Fat, shallow running squarebill, trigged senko, white spinner bait, popper, deep crank, and a jerkbait. I targeted the timber in the first cove northwest of the dam, caught two (both on the popper) right off the bat, one pretty decent going for 2.45lbs. There was a fair amount of traffic on the lake, so I watched where people went. It looked like the south and west sides of the lake where were people headed so so did I.

 

I was in a buster boat so it took me awhile, but I made it to the south side of the lake and I fished the submerged timber there and the areas around the shore. That was important for me because it was out of the wind. I caught eight more before 10:30am, the biggest being 3.5lbs on the white spinner bait. I was having such good luck with the popper early on that the only reason I even used the spinner bait is because I got hung up and I didn't want to miss an opportunity for an area I hadn't fished yet. Good thing, caught him deep right in front of where the popper was hung up.

 

Anyway, I had been up since 2am, so I headed back to camp and got some sleep.

 

That evening, the bite was a little tougher, but I caught five more LM's, one 19" but only weighing 2.3lbs... one of the skinniest bass I've ever caught, on a deep diving crank. Looked healthy but very underfed. The rest were nothing to write home about. 

 

It was interesting. Other than first thing Sunday morning, I couldn't find any consistency with the bite. Everything worked, but didn't catch me a bunch of fish. I literally caught something with everything I threw, but the popper was the only lure that caught me more than one fish the whole trip. The fish were hard to find, but that might be my unfamiliarity with the lake too. 

 

I planned on fishing all day Monday also, but the wind was just too much for my little boat, and I packed it up and went home. LOVE the lake though. It's 2+ hours from me, but I can't wait to get down there again. Before I go next time, I need to learn the lake better though. I think once I get to know it, it can be one of my absolute favorites, but it's tough for someone who doesn't know it that well, especially in late summer/early fall. The fish are usually a little harder to find this time of year, and that lake has so many different was to fish it (which I love), that you have to KNOW where to look. 

 

I pretty much stuck to the south side, between the dam and the third cove, the whole time. It was just where I could stay out of the wind. I wish I had more time and some better weather, but it was a blast regardless. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Hannzo24]

So, ksfishinguy and hannzo how did your weekend go.  I talked to several of the yak brigade Saturday.  I had a pretty good morning with 16.  A couple keepers and several 16+".  Went to Critzer Sunday and it kicked my behind.  Only one 15" fish.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

 

It was pretty slow for the majority of the Anglers in the tournament.  The one guy that won it got onto them and had a 90" 5 fish stringer.  I ended up with a measly 70" 5 fish stringer.