Fishing Waconda Lake

AKA: Glen Elder Reservoir

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Waconda Lake Fishing Video
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Waconda Lake, KS

Popular Fish Species Waconda Lake, KS

Walleye Fishing

Waconda Lake is home to a hearty population of walleye. Good fisheries management by Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks and plenty of forage in the lake have them growing fat and healthy. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

White Bass Fishing

White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. Numerous successful spawn years have increased the population of white bass in Waconda Lake, and anglers can expect some great fishing this year. 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. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing for 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. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. 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.

Waconda Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after species at Waconda Lake, with fish over 3 pounds very common. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, when the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies. Spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Waconda Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, walleye, bluegill and white bass at Waconda Lake in Kansas.

Cawker City, Glen Elder State Park and the town of Glen Elder wrap around the northern borders of Waconda Lake, creating easy access for boating fishing and camping. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy this 12,600-acre lake, in the north-central part of the state.

Explore more than 100 miles of shoreline in search of largemouth, smallmouth and white bass, plus crappie, catfish and walleye. Visit Glen Elder Marina for camping and fishing supplies as well as convenience items, boat slips, fuel and live bait. Four major campgrounds offer campsites and RV hookups, as well as areas for swimming and fishing from the bank.

Primary fish species residing in Waconda Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Glen Elder Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Glen Elder Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off State Route 128, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Glen Elder Wildlife Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off US Highway 24, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Northeast Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off US Highway 24, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Southeast Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off 1 Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.