Fishing El Dorado Lake
AKA: Dorado Lake Reservoir
Popular Fish Species El Dorado Lake, KS
White Crappie Fishing
Plenty of healthy white crappie reside in El Dorado Lake, and 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.
Largemouth Bass Fishing
El Dorado Lake is a great place to go fishing for largemouth bass. Again this year, the fishing for bass has been impressing locals. Occasional big bass are being caught in El Dorado Lake, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing El Dorado Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.
Channel Catfish Fishing
Again this year a healthy population of channel catfish populate the waters of El Dorado Lake. In Spring channel catfish 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. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, white crappie, walleye, white bass, white perch and hybrid striped bass at El Dorado Lake in Kansas.
El Dorado Lake Fishing Video
If you like fishing, boating and camping, El Dorado Lake should be on your list of upcoming destinations. Anglers are drawn by the healthy populations of bass, walleye, hybrid stripers, crappie, perch and sunfish.
El Dorado Lake, located in the eastern section of Kansas, is a renowned fishing destination known for its abundant fish populations and scenic beauty. The lake offers anglers a wide range of fishing opportunities, attracting both local and visiting anglers throughout the year.
Largemouth bass is one of the most sought-after species in El Dorado Lake. Anglers can target these hard-fighting fish by casting with soft plastics, crankbaits, or topwater lures near submerged structures, weed beds, and rocky shorelines. El Dorado Lake's diverse habitat provides ideal conditions for largemouth bass to thrive, making it a popular spot for anglers looking to reel in trophy-sized bass.
Walleye is another prized fish species found in El Dorado Lake. Anglers can target walleye by trolling with crankbaits, casting with jigs, or drifting with live bait along the lake's drop-offs, rocky points, or underwater structures. The lake's clear waters and varying depths create excellent conditions for walleye fishing, and successful anglers can enjoy the thrill of catching these delicious fish.
Hybrid stripers, a cross between striped bass and white bass, are also abundant in El Dorado Lake. These hard-fighting fish offer anglers an exciting challenge and the opportunity to catch trophy-sized specimens. Trolling with crankbaits, casting with swimbaits, or vertically jigging can entice hybrid stripers to bite. Anglers targeting these fish can enjoy the thrill of reeling in these powerful predators.
El Dorado Lake is home to a healthy population of channel catfish, providing anglers with excellent opportunities for catfishing. Anglers can target 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. El Dorado Lake's catfish population offers both quantity and quality catches, making it a favorite destination for catfish enthusiasts.
White bass and white crappie are additional popular species found in El Dorado Lake. White bass can be caught by casting with jigs, spoons, or crankbaits, particularly during their spring spawning runs. White crappie can be targeted by vertical jigging near submerged structures or brush piles. Anglers can enjoy the thrill of catching these panfish species while appreciating the scenic surroundings of the lake.
Almost 100 miles of shoreline wrap this 8,000-acre lake in the central part of the state, at El Dorado. Excellent camping facilities are available at El Dorado State Park and Veteran's Point, both of which have boat launch ramps. There is plenty of shoreline accessible for fishing from the bank or launching canoes and kayaks. Shady Creek Marina serves the boating public and offers boat rentals. Restaurants, convenience stores and lodging are available at the lake or very close by.
Primary fish species residing in El Dorado Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
El Dorado Lake Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
El Dorado Lake offers excellent amenities for boating and camping. Anglers can explore the expansive waters of the lake, 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 enjoy the outdoor experience.
Fishing Boat Rentals
Shady Creek Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
316 321-0943
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Blue Stem #1 Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Bluestem Point Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Bluestem Point Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Bluestem Point Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
El Dorado State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Marina Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Pelican Point Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Boulder Bluff Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Shady Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off NE 6th Street, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Fishing Guides On El Dorado Lake
Hook'Em Guide Service - walleye, crappie, wipers
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
El Dorado State Park Campground - 316 321-7180
El Dorado Lake KS Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
El Dorado State Park
618 NE Bluestem Rd
El Dorado, KS 67042
316 321-7180
Fishing lakes in each state.
061724
El Dorado Lake in Kansas.
KANSAS
Information about fishing lakes in KS
El Dorado Lake offers bass, walleye, hybrid stripers, crappie, perch and sunfish fishing in central KS.
