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Lakes & Reservoirs

Milford Lake Fishing Guide

Kansas

The largest lake in Kansas, known for white bass, wipers, and blue catfish.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Milford Lake for white bass, crappie, walleye and channel catfish. The best months overall are Mar 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 3 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Convenience store / Baitshop in Milford, 2 mi away.

Best Months

Mar to Nov

In October

Crappie, Walleye

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Milford Lake Species

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

8 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

  • Nightcrawlers Whole or half

    Bait

    Live Bait · Channel Catfish

  • Chicken Liver Chunk

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Channel Catfish

  • Cut Shad Chunk or fillet

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Channel Catfish

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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.

Channel Catfish

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning or casting rod, 3000 to 4000 reel, 15 to 20 lb line, slip-sinker rig with a circle hook.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Milford Lake

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 Catfish Special Combo

A stout, long rod with a large reel for heavy sinkers and big cats.

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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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Line

Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament

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

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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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Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

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

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Milford Lake