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Lakes & Reservoirs

Cheney Reservoir Fishing Guide

Kansas

A windy prairie reservoir west of Wichita with excellent white bass and wipers.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Cheney Reservoir for white bass, crappie and walleye. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Oct to Nov. In October, crappie and walleye are in season, and Suspending Jerkbait, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Crappie Jig are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is Nate's Tackle Shop in Viola, 19 mi away.

Best Months

Mar to Jun, Oct to Nov

In October

Crappie, Walleye

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Cheney Reservoir Species

White Bass

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F
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J
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Best: Mar to Apr, Jun to Aug

Crappie

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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J
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S
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Best: Feb to May, Oct to Nov

Walleye

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

5 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Walleye · After dark.

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Walleye

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  • Crappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Crappie

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  • Jig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Walleye

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  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Walleye, Crappie

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

White Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, Clousers and small baitfish flies.

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line.

Crappie

Fly 8.5 ft 4 wt rod, floating line, small jig flies and minnow patterns.

Spin / Cast 10 to 12 ft jigging pole or 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 4 to 6 lb hi-vis line.

Walleye

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Cheney Reservoir

Panfish Lures

Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jigs

A go-to crappie plastic on a light jighead, under a float or vertical.

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Crankbaits

Rapala Shad Rap

A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.

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Rigs

Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness

Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Line

Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament

Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.

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Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo

Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Cheney Reservoir