Pottawatomie County, KS · Reservoir
Tuttle Creek Lake
A big, often-turbid flood-control reservoir on the Big Blue River north of Manhattan — Kansas’ second-largest. A trophy flathead and channel catfish water with strong white bass, wiper, walleye, and crappie runs, especially up the river arm and below the dam in the stilling basin.
Live · updated
Top picks today
White Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye & Crappie — tied at the top (68/100)
4 species tied for best of 4 tracked at Tuttle Creek Lake.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Tuttle Creek Lake
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 4 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 White Bass Workable day for White Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Morone chrysops — A hard-fighting open-water schooling bass of big reservoirs and their feeder rivers across the Plains and Midwest. White bass run up tributaries by the thousands to spawn in spring — the run is a calendar event on waters like McConaughy and the Missouri reservoirs — then chase shad in surface-busting "jumps" through summer. Often hybridized with striped bass to make the "wiper." Abundant and lightly regulated, so creel limits are generous or absent.
Prefers. Water 55–80°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 4–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 15
Kansas: 15/day for white bass, striped bass, wiper, and yellow bass in combination on most waters.
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Channel Catfish Workable day for Channel Catfish. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 10
Kansas: 10 channel catfish/day on most waters.
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Walleye Workable day for Walleye. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Kansas: 5 walleye/day, 15" minimum on most reservoirs (Milford, Tuttle Creek, Wilson).
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Crappie Workable day for Crappie. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 50
Kansas: 50 crappie/day on most reservoirs.
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Kansas non-tidal
Coordinates
Notes
Kansas: 15/day white bass + wiper combined; walleye 15" minimum, 5/day. The tube below the dam is a renowned catfish spot.
Local reports & rules for Tuttle Creek Lake: Kansas Wildlife & Parks fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Tuttle Creek Lake?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Tuttle Creek Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Tuttle Creek Lake?
Tuttle Creek Lake is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: White Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Crappie. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Tuttle Creek Lake?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Tuttle Creek Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Tuttle Creek Lake have?
Tuttle Creek Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Kansas: 15/day white bass + wiper combined; walleye 15" minimum, 5/day. The tube below the dam is a renowned catfish spot.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Tuttle Creek Lake?
state agency regulations apply at Tuttle Creek Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Tuttle Creek Lake tidal water?
No. Tuttle Creek Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.