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Walleye

Walleye

Walleye are non-native to Kansas but have become a highly sought-after game fish since being introduced in 1865. They're found in most federal reservoirs and some larger state and community lakes throughout Kansas.

Physical Characteristics:
  • The state record weighs 13 pounds, 3 ounces.
  • They have excellent low-light vision due to a reflective eye coating (tapetum lucidum) that gives them their characteristic cloudy, opaque appearance and allows them to hunt effectively at dawn, dusk, and night.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They're found in most federal reservoirs and some larger state and community lakes throughout Kansas.

Key Locations

  • Top Kansas walleye waters include Marion, Kirwin, El Dorado, Webster, Cedar Bluff, Milford, Wilson, Glen Elder, and Hillsdale reservoirs, along with lakes like Winfield City Lake, Banner Creek Lake, and Horsethief Reservoir.
  • Key Kansas locations include the causeway at Glen Elder, marina areas at El Dorado and Milford, and the dam faces at Cedar Bluff, Wilson, and Webster reservoirs.

Specific Spots

  • Fish depths of 10-40 feet depending on season and structure.
  • Target rocky points, submerged roadbeds, humps, weed edges, and areas where shallow feeding flats meet deeper water.
  • Fish attractors and brush piles provide excellent structure.

Walleye FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Walleye in Kansas?

Essential lures include 1/8 to 1/4 ounce fireball-style jigs tipped with live minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers. Effective artificials are 3-4 inch soft plastic minnows, swimbaits, jigging spoons, blade baits, and shad-imitating crankbaits in chartreuse, white, or natural colors.

When is the best time to fish for Walleye in Kansas?

Spring (post-spawn) and fall provide the best walleye fishing. In summer, focus on deeper structure (15-30 feet) during the day and move shallow at night. During spawning season (March-April), avoid targeting these fish to protect reproduction.

How do you catch Walleye in Kansas?

Productive techniques include vertical jigging over structure, casting jigs along drop-offs and points, trolling crankbaits and spinner rigs with bottom bouncers at 1-2 MPH, and using slip bobber rigs for precise depth control.

What do Walleye eat?

In Kansas waters, walleye are primarily piscivorous as adults, feeding heavily on gizzard shad, yellow perch, minnows, and freshwater drum. They also consume crayfish, leeches, frogs, and various aquatic insects like mayflies.

Where do Walleye live in Kansas?

They're found in most federal reservoirs and some larger state and community lakes throughout Kansas.

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