Fishing preview 2020: Most sporting events shuttered, but angling forecast looks good

Looking for an escape from coronavirus concerns? Try an area lake or river.

Fishing prospects around the Kansas City area in Missouri and Kansas are looking good for 2020, and trout and other species are already being caught.

Here’s The Star’s annual forecast, via conversations with and estimates from, wildlife experts on both sides of the state line.

Missouri

LARGEMOUTH BASS

BEST BET: 2020 is looking really good for largemouth bass fishermen across the state. Of the many great options, Table Rock Lake stands out among the rest. Good recruitment classes in 2015 and 2017 mean strong numbers of fish this year. During the most recent spring 2019 electrofishing surveys, the number of largemouth greater than or equal to 15-inches was 36 percent. The 2015 year class of fish will exceed the legal size of 15-inches this year, meaning lots of quality 2-3 pound fish and up are available. Anglers can expect to make some great memories on the water this year at Table Rock.

BEST OF THE REST: While there are many big lakes offering quality bass fishing in Missouri, James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area in Lee’s Summit has crept up on the radar this past year. Numerous bass over 5-pounds have been caught, with some even reaching closer to 8-pounds. The well maintained lakes at Reed offer good fishing access from the bank, allowing anyone an opportunity. Increased pressure has decreased the quantity of bites, but those who put the work in and keep at it have been rewarded with some very impressive largemouth. Others to try: Bull Shoals, Lake of the Ozarks, Mozingo Lake, Stockton Lake, and Smithville Lake.

SMALLMOUTH BASS

BEST BET: Conditions are looking excellent on the Eleven Point River. The water level can be low, so spring and early summer is the most ideal time to fish there when frequent rains bring higher water. Smallmouth are abundant in the stream, totalling over 400 fish per mile according to recent 2019 spring samplings. Greater than 20% of the sampled fish were over 15-inches as well. Quantity and quality of fish will both be possibilities.

BEST OF THE REST: The Gasconade River has much promise for 2020. While the special management area has seen some negative effects on the adult population of fish from annual floods, there is still a larger abundance of 12 to 18-inch smallmouth in this section of the river. In 2020, most fish will be 8 to 10-inches, but large fish greater than 18-inches lurk in the deeper pools. Crayfish imitation baits and shallow diving crankbaits like squarebills should be productive for anglers. Others to try: James River, Table Rock Lake, Meramac River, and the Current River.

CRAPPIE

BEST BET: Stockton should be very good in 2020. The most recent trap netting surveys showed a huge percentage of large black crappie. 53% of the fish were greater than the 10-inch minimum length limit. Although catch rates for white crappie were down compared to previous years, their size structure was solid with 82% of the fish sampled measuring greater than the 10-inch minimum length limit. The spring and summer bite should be very productive for anglers in search of quality fish.

BEST OF THE REST: As usual, Truman Lake is expected to be great again in 2020 across the entire lake. As you move up lake, quality will increase, but the quantity of fish is lower. Water is more clear in the Tebo and Pomme de Terre arms, so there will be higher percentage of black crappie. There are high numbers of fish in the 10-11 inch range. Another lake to note is Smithville. In early 2019, there was a major regulation change to help control the overpopulated and undersized black crappie. The daily limit is now 30, but no more than 15 can be greater than 9-inches. The impacts were almost immediate. Fall trap netting results showed growth in both black and white crappie. Almost 40% of the black crappie were over 9-inches, which was up 37 percent from 2018. Additionally, 85 percent of the white crappie were over 9 inches and 56 percent were over 10. Others to try: Lake of the Ozarks, Pomme De Terre, Blue Springs, and Lake Jacomo.

WALLEYE

BEST BET: The long-time premiere walleye lake in Missouri has been Stockton Lake; 2020 is looking to be another good year, too. The lake has seen several years of strong recruitment, which will provide many opportunities for keeper fish. 2019 surveys showed about 94 percent of the fish sampled were 15 inches or better and 23 percent were at least 20 inches. When water temps begin to reach 45 degrees for several consecutive days in March, many anglers will be found near the dam casting jerkbaits hoping to catch them coming up for the spawn. The spawn can last into early April.

BEST OF THE REST: Mozingo Lake is showing some impressive numbers. Spring sampling in 2019 resulted in catch rates of 130 walleye per hour. 97 percent of the walleye measured over 18 inches. Biologists have reported that trophy walleye over 10 pounds are possible there. Bull Shoals is another overlooked lake that produces big walleye. Biologists expect anglers to see a high percentage of legal-size fish in the 18- to 20-inch range this year. … Others to try: Smithville, Jacomo, Truman Lake, and Longview.

WHITE BASS

BEST BET: There are many good opportunities for white bass across Missouri, but Stockton Lake has a great population, and perhaps some of the most prolific schooling activity that anglers, including myself, have ever witnessed. Recruitment has been very good in previous years, so 2020 is expected to provide continued success. The spawning runs will take place in the lake’s tributary streams from mid-March to the end of April.

BEST OF THE REST: For KC anglers, Lake Jacomo provides an excellent opportunity at quality white bass. The size structure of fish is very good, as many fish are in the 12- to 15-inch range. The fishing pressure is minimal compared to other lakes due to a 25-horsepower limit. In April, fishing from the dam will provide some great memories for anglers using topwater lures like poppers or whopper ploppers. Be ready for some explosive bites. Others to try: Truman Lake, Smithville, and Longview.

HYBRIDS

BEST BET: Truman Lake is a great choice for hybrid striped bass. They were stocked annually between 2013-16 but were not stocked in 2017 or 2018. There was strong survival, which offers great fishing. The MDC states there will be very few small hybrids. Many will be over 5 pounds.

BEST OF THE REST: For the KC Metro, Blue Springs should be the lake of choice for hybrids. Some 7,000 adolescent hybrids are stocked annually. Trolling has proven to be an effective way to locate them, followed by targeted casting with various shad imitation lures. The Lake Jacomo spillway is a good area of the lake to target when water is flowing into Blue Springs. Ten-pound fish are becoming more common. … Others to try: Perry County Lake, Willow Branch Lake, and Watkins Mill State Park Lake.

BLUE CATFISH

BEST BET: The Missouri River is your best bet again in 2020. Surveys don’t lie. In the upper portion, the MDC reports “numbers remain higher, and are continuing to grow to numbers higher than ever recorded in this stretch of river.” Recent surveys in the lower Missouri River also show high numbers of 25- to 35-inch blues. Consistent photos of 80-pound fish and larger have been produced in the last year from the lower portion. True monsters are out there waiting.

BEST OF THE REST: Surveys indicate an increasing number of blues larger than the slot limit (greater than 34 inches) are being caught on Truman Lake. The blue catfishing was excellent in 2019 and is expected to remain that way well into 2020. Truman is a premiere fishing destination in the Midwest, which means there are many quality guides available. Most of them are active on social media, where you can follow along with the action all year and determine the best time for your own trip. Others to try: Mississippi River, Lake of the Ozarks, and Little Dixie Lake.

Kansas

LARGEMOUTH BASS

BEST BET: La Cygne should be any angler’s target for largemouth bass in 2020. The density of fish greater than 12-inches improved from last year. Additionally, La Cygne has a preferred rating of 15-inch or larger bass that is twice that of any other major reservoir in Kansas. That means your chance for quality fish is much more common. It is also regionally known for producing behemoth bass larger than 10-pounds in the past several years. Looking for a lunker? La Cygne is your best bet.

BEST OF THE REST: While there are other reservoirs yielding good bass, anglers should consider looking into some of the state fishing lakes that are 10 to 1,200 acres in size. Butler State Lake, a 124-acre body of water, was mentioned last year, and has produced excellent results in sampling again. It has the highest preferred rating of 15-inch fish or better of any state fishing lake. It also has the highest density of bass over 20-inches by a longshot. In the most recent sampling efforts, the largest bass was nearly 7-pounds. … Others to try: Sebelius Reservoir, Kirwin Reservoir, Wilson Lake, Alma City Lake, and Cowley State Fishing Lake.

SMALLMOUTH BASS

BEST BET: Of the lakes sampled in 2019, Glen Elder topped the list in all categories. The reservoir has a solid density of fish better than 11-inches. It also has the best preferred rating of any reservoir for fish better than 14-inches. There is also a strong opportunity for fish greater than 17-inches. The roughly 4-hour drive from KC is definitely worth it if smallmouth bass are your target.

BEST OF THE REST: Coffey County was second on the list of major reservoirs. During 2019 sampling efforts, there were good numbers of smallmouth greater than 11 and 14-inches. Trophy fish bigger than 17-inches are available, but you may have to work for them. Unfortunately, some popular smallmouth lakes weren’t sampled in 2019, including: Melvern, El Dorado, and Milford. Melvern Lake has a solid population of quality fish, and targeting the dam in the spring and fall with shallow running crankbaits will produce. … Others to try: Perry, Wilson, El Dorado, Jeffrey Energy Center, and Winfield City Lake.

CRAPPIE

BEST BET: A 2,986 acre body of water called Lovewell Reservoir tops the charts for crappie this year. Both black and white crappie are present, but whites make up a majority of the population. The density of fish over 8-inches is more than twice that of the next closest reservoir, Pomona. It also boasts a much higher rating of 10-inch fish or better compared to any other reservoir. Finally, it also showed the largest amount of lunker fish 12-inches and up in recent sampling efforts.

BEST OF THE REST: Reservoirs like Perry and Pomona showed strong populations of quality fish in recent sample efforts. Biologists consider both lakes to have an “excellent” rating for crappie fishing. However, there are some small city lakes we should pay attention to as well. Eureka City Lake is a 259-acre lake that sits on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills. It performed the best in all categories for lakes between 10-1,200 acres, including the density of quality fish and truly lunker-sized crappie. There are 17 public public access areas, four public fishing docks, a heated fishing dock, and two fish cleaning stations among many other amenities. Others to try: Sebelius Reservoir, Glen Elder, Kirwin, and Chanute City Lake.

WALLEYE

BEST BET: If you’re looking for good walleyes, look no further than Wilson Lake. Of the major reservoirs, it had the highest density of fish greater than 15 and 20-inches. There was even a 7.23 pound fish weighed in the most recent sampling efforts. Not every lake sampled produced fish greater than 25-inches, but Wilson was one of them and had the highest rating of lunker walleye, too.

BEST OF THE REST: No other reservoir came close to Wilson Lake’s preferred rating of 20-inch fish or bigger. However, Glen Elder showed similar numbers of 15-inch walleye and has produced quality fishing consistently. Fish over 6-pounds were surveyed during the most recent sampling. … Others to try: Kirwin, Webster, Hillsdale, El Dorado, and Sabetha-Pony Creek Lake.

WHITE BASS

BEST BET: Kanopolis Lake, totalling 1,465.8 acres, yielded great results in recent 2019 sampling. It has the highest rating for fish greater than 12-inches of any lake sampled in the past year. The lunker rating is very high compared to other lakes as well, meaning a good population of 15-inch white bass and up. Biologists consider white bass fishing to be “excellent” in 2020. If the water level is adequate, white bass fishing in the river can be very fun around mid-April.

BEST OF THE REST: Another lake that should be on the radar is Glen Elder. It has the highest lunker rating of any reservoir. Your chance for fish better than 15-inches is much higher here. It also has the best three-year average, so the population is trending in a positive direction. Herington City Lake (new) also showed great results in 2019 sampling. At 555 acres, it presents great opportunities on a smaller body of water for white bass measuring 12 inches or greater. … Others to try: Marion, Melvern, Jeffrey Energy Center, Holton-Banner Creek Lake, and Elk City.

HYBRIDS

BEST BET: Jeffrey Energy Center, which is actually made up of two different lakes totaling 125 and 460 acres each, showed great results in the most recent sampling for hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers. Compared to the other smaller lakes and reservoirs sampled, it had the best density of fish greater than 16 inches. It also narrowly finished second only to Cheney Reservoir in density of fish greater than 20 inches. The best part here is that it’s only about a two-hour drive from the KC Metro.

BEST OF THE REST: Cheney should also be on your list if you’re after wipers in Kansas. Of the major reservoirs, it had the best density of fish over 16 and 20 inches. The biggest fish weighed during sampling was over 8 pounds. Another under-the-radar wiper lake is Glen Elder. While it doesn’t have the highest density of fish, there’s quality present here. An 11.23-pound wiper was weighed during the most recent sampling. … Others to try: Kirwin, Melvern River Pond, Clinton, Herington City Lake, and Sebelius.

BLUE CATFISH

BEST BET: Although it wasn’t sampled in 2019, Milford Lake should be on the list for any big blue-catfish hunter. It has one of the best three year averages of 20-inch fish or better. Biologists consider the blue catfish opportunities in the lake to be excellent. Some giants have been caught in the last year, too.

BEST OF THE REST: La Cygne is known for big bass, but there are also some big blues in the lake as well. In recent statewide sampling, it boasted the largest fish weighed of any lake: 27.82 pounds. While you might not find quantity, you will surely find some quality fish. … Others to try: Clinton, Coffey County, and Elk City.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 4:36 PM.