HARLAN RESERVOIR-WE HAVE WATER!

Field Advisor Bill Anderson

Hello everyone! If you have been down to Harlan this year, which most of you probably have by now, it looks like a totally different lake compared to the last few years. Also, if you have been fishing for walleye down there you are probably a little bit frustrated. Is the slow walleye fishing because of the high water or what? I feel that there are several reasons for the walleye catching success or lack there of. First of all, we now have a full lake with many acres of flooded timber. Many of us that like to jig and slip bobber for eyes are really excited because of these conditions. Historically, when the water is in the flooded trees, we can get in the midst of it and have a ball catching walleye. This year it has been real slow finding the right places. If you do catch one on one day, chances are the next five days you can fish the same area and not catch anything but catfish and drum. This is frustrating but don't give up! We have to realize that just because the water level came up, the numbers of walleye didn't. We have over twice the area for walleye to roam with the same numbers as we had last year. This in general will make for tougher conditions for catching success; then you add on the terribly stormy weather patterns we have had all spring and that pretty much kills the bite for the finicky walleye. Generally with these water conditions all you have to do is find a place that is holding bait fish then anchor up, throw out your slip bobbers and jigs and you could feel pretty confident about catching walleye. The few times that I have been to the lake this spring I have noticed that the bait fish are everywhere! It doesn't matter if you are in 2' of water or 20' of water. These bait fish are just scattered all over the lake. I am sure the walleye are too!

I believe if we could just get some consistent weather the fishing success will really improve. The water will clear up and the bait fish as summer approaches will tend to group up. The walleye will follow the bait fish and they can be caught. There should also be some bug hatches happening in the near future. This may turn the fish on. As summer gets closer and the rain stops, Kansas will be calling for some water. If the water level drops a little (hopefully not a lot) and the water temperature keeps rising the walleye should pull out into a little deeper water. This will cut down on some of the area you will need to look for them. I really think the fishing will improve in the near future.

Actually the white bass fishing has been going pretty good. A week ago, I trolled for a few hours just east of the Methodist boat dock down to Tip Over Creek and caught a monster limit fo white bass, so if you get tired of hunting for the eyes go after some of these. It is a lot of fun.

The outlook for Harlan in my opinion is fantastic. Yes, this year the walleye fishing may be somewhat challenging but if we can maintain a decent water level the lake will be on fire with walleye in about three years. In fact, I believe it could have the best numbers of walleye in the state. I can't wait!

So far this year, from what I have heard, Johnson Lake has probably been the most consistent lake for catching walleye. They still have the inconsistent weather patterns to deal with but the water level hasn't been fluctuating like Harlan and McConaughy.

Hopefully this weekend I will be at Harlan. I will let you know how I do.

Hope to see you on the water!

-Bill

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