Fishing Perry Lake
AKA: Perry Reservoir
Popular Fish Species Perry Lake, KS
White Crappie Fishing
A decent number of white crappie reside in Perry Lake, and it is thought to be one of the better crappie lakes in the state by many anglers. The crappie fishing is good and the "slabs" are tasty. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate shallow brush and vegetation in Spring and Fall focusing on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out to as deep as 30 to 35 feet, as well as ledges near channels at these depths. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Black crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home.
Channel Catfish Fishing
Perry Lake, again this year, supports a healthy population of channel catfish. In Spring channel these cats migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. Night fishing for channel catfish often delivers better results than fishing during the day. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure in the area. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits. Blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well.
White Bass Fishing
White bass are doing well in Perry Lake and anglers should expect some pretty good fishing for them this year, once you locate a school. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, white crappie, black crappie, sauger, bluegill and white bass at Perry Lake in Kansas.
Perry Lake Fishing Video
Perry Lake, located in northeast Kansas, is a renowned fishing destination known for its scenic beauty and abundant fish populations. Anglers flock to Perry Lake for its excellent fishing opportunities and the chance to catch a variety of popular fish species.
Both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found in Perry Lake, offering anglers a thrilling bass fishing experience. The lake's structure, including submerged vegetation, rocky points, and fallen trees, provides ideal habitat for bass. Anglers can employ various techniques such as casting with soft plastics, crankbaits, or topwater lures to entice these hard-fighting fish into biting. Perry Lake is known for producing quality-sized bass, making it a favorite spot for bass anglers.
Channel catfish and blue catfish are highly sought-after species found in Perry Lake. These bottom-dwelling fish offer anglers exciting catfishing opportunities. Anglers can target catfish using a variety of baits such as cut bait, stink bait, or live bait. Fishing near the lake's channels, drop-offs, or deeper areas can increase the chances of landing a catfish. Perry Lake's catfish population provides both quantity and quality catches, making it an ideal destination for catfish enthusiasts.
White crappie is another popular species found in Perry Lake. Anglers can target white crappie by vertical jigging near submerged structures, brush piles, or docks. Using minnows or soft plastics as bait can entice white crappie into biting. Perry Lake's white crappie population offers anglers the opportunity to catch these prized panfish and enjoy their delicate and tasty fillets.
Sauger, a close relative of walleye, can also be found in Perry Lake. Anglers can target sauger by trolling with crankbaits, casting with jigs, or drifting with live bait along the lake's drop-offs, rocky points, or submerged structures. Similar to walleye fishing, successful sauger fishing at Perry Lake often requires knowledge of the lake's structure and the use of techniques that appeal to these predator fish. Catching a sauger at Perry Lake can provide anglers with an exciting and rewarding angling experience.
Well over 160 miles of shoreline, and deep river channels, await fishing enthusiasts in search of their favorite fish species. Here anglers can choose from catfish, crappie, white bass, sauger, sunfish and both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Big bass and catfish are very common. Slough Creek Public Use Area, Perry Public Use Area, Outlet Public Use Area, Rock Creek Public Use Area, Jefferson Points State Park and Perry State Park are good spots to headquarter during your stay here.
Primary fish species residing in Perry Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Perry Lake Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Perry Lake offers ample opportunities for boating and camping, allowing anglers to make the most of their fishing trips. Anglers can explore the lake's waters, navigate with ease, and access various fishing spots. The lake's campgrounds and recreational facilities provide convenient options for anglers looking to extend their stay and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area.
Fishing Boat Rentals
Lake Perry Yacht & Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
785 783-4927
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Longview Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Hamilton Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Devils Gap Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Slough Creek CMP, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.
Old Town Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Boat Ramp Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Perry State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off W Lake Road, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Rock Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Dam Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.
Rock Creek Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, at the north end of the State Route 237 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.
Slough Creek Bridge Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Ferguson Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Wild Horse Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off State Route 237, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Marinas
Lake Perry Yacht & Marina
10770 Perry Park Drive
Perry, KS, 66073
785 783-4927
Rock Creek Marina & Resort
6049 West Lake Rd
Ozawkie, KS 66070
785 484-2656
Fishing Guides On Perry Lake
Guffey's Guide Service - catfish
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a Kansas Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Old Town - 785 597-5144
Wild Horse Campground - 785 246-3449
Eagle Landing Campground - 785 246-3449
Turkey Run Campground - 785 246-3449
Mulberry Grove Campground - 785 246-3449
Catfish Alley Campground - 785 246-3449
Lakeview Campground - 785 246-3449
Cougar Pass Campground - 785 246-3449
Pelican Point Campground - 785 246-3449
Perry Landing Campground - 785 876-3000
Perry Lake KS Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Perry Lake
Perry State Park
5441 W Lake Rd
Ozawkie, KS 66070
785 246-3449
Fishing lakes in each state.
062424
Perry Lake in KS
KANSAS
Fishing for big bass and giant catfish in east-central KS.