Fishing Council Grove Lake

AKA: Council Grove Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Council Grove Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
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Council Grove Lake, KS

Popular Fish Species Council Grove Lake, KS

Council Grove Lake Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

To fish for catfish on Council Grove Lake, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Council Grove Lake has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. 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. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Council Grove Lake Popular Fish - White Crappie

White Crappie Fishing

Plenty of healthy white crappie reside in Council Grove Lake, as they are making a nice comeback this year. The fish population is healthy and crappie fishing is excellent. 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.

Council Grove Lake Popular Fish - Saugeye

Saugeye Fishing

When a female walleye spawns with a male sauger, the result is a hybrid known as saugeye. Council Grove Lake has a notable population of saugeye, which are pursued by local anglers. Their meat is very tasty, and they put up a good fight. Look for them near bottom on sandy bars and especially along drop offs into river channels. These toothy critters often migrate up-river in winter and spring, congregating in low-current areas. A common method for catching saugeye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting topwater lures, live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Fish species to fish for...

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

Council Grove Lake Fishing Video

Boating, camping and and fishing are the heartbeat of Council Grove Lake, a 3,300-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Council Grove. Anglers meander along, fishing the 40 miles of shoreline in search of bass, crappie, catfish, walleye and white bass.

Council Grove Lake, located in the eastern section of Kansas, is a scenic and popular fishing destination that offers anglers a diverse range of fishing opportunities. The lake is known for its picturesque surroundings and abundant fish populations, making it a favorite spot for anglers of all ages and skill levels.

Largemouth bass is one of the most sought-after species in Council Grove Lake. Anglers can enjoy the thrill of targeting these predatory fish, known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. The lake's structure, including submerged brush piles, weed beds, and rocky shorelines, provides excellent habitat for largemouth bass. Anglers can use a variety of techniques, such as casting with soft plastics, topwater lures, or spinnerbaits, to entice these bass into biting.

Walleye is another prized species found in Council Grove Lake. These elusive fish are known for their delicious flesh and can be a challenging target for anglers. Trolling with crankbaits, casting with jigs, or drifting with live bait are popular techniques for targeting walleye in the lake. Council Grove Lake's diverse underwater structure and varying depths create ideal conditions for walleye fishing.

Channel catfish are abundant in Council Grove Lake. Anglers can pursue catfish using a variety of baits, such as cut bait, stink bait, or live bait. Fishing near the lake's deeper areas, including channels and drop-offs, can increase the chances of landing a catfish. Council Grove Lake offers ample opportunities for catfish anglers to hook into these hard-fighting fish.

White bass, bluegill, and crappie are also popular species found in Council Grove Lake. White bass, known for their schooling behavior and aggressive nature, provide an exciting fishing experience. Anglers can target white bass by casting with jigs, spoons, or crankbaits, particularly during their spring spawning runs. Bluegill and crappie can be caught using small hooks and bait, such as worms or crickets, near submerged structures or brush piles. These panfish species offer anglers additional options for a successful day on the water.

Use of the public boat ramps is open for launching everything from kayaks and canoes, to pontoons and power boats. Plenty of locations for fishing from the bank exist around the lake. A marina, boat rentals and camping at the lake make this a great destination for a weekend fishing trip or an extended vacation.

Primary fish species residing in Council Grove Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Council Grove 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

Council Grove Lake is not only a fantastic fishing destination but also offers amenities for boating and camping. Anglers can explore the lake's expansive waters, allowing them to access various fishing spots and navigate with ease. The lake's campgrounds and recreational facilities provide convenient options for anglers looking to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the outdoor experience.

Fishing Boat Rentals

Council Grove Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
620 767-5924

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Canning Creek Cove Recreation Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Council Grove Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Lake Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Kit Carson Cove Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off State 177 Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Richey Cove Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 177 Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Richey Cove Park North Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 177 Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Marinas

Council Grove Marina
1025 Lake Rd
Council Grove, KS 66846
620 767-5924