Fishing Tuttle Creek Lake

AKA: Tuttle Creek Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Tuttle Creek Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Tuttle Creek Lake, KS

Popular Fish Species Tuttle Creek Lake, KS

Tuttle Creek Lake Popular Fish - White Crappie

White Crappie Fishing

Plenty of healthy white crappie reside in Tuttle Creek Lake, and fishing for them has been fair to good 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.

Tuttle Creek Lake Popular Fish - White Bass

White Bass Fishing

After several very successful spawn years, white bass are coming back in Tuttle Creek Lake and anglers should expect some decent fishing this year. The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks has been working dilligently for years to improve the fishery. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Tuttle Creek Lake Popular Fish - Saugeye

Saugeye Fishing

When a female walleye spawns with a male sauger, the result is a hybrid known as saugeye. Tuttle Creek Lake has a notable population of saugeye, which are pursued by local anglers. Their meat is very tasty, and they put up a good fight. Look for them near bottom on sandy bars and especially along drop offs into river channels. These toothy critters often migrate up-river in winter and spring, congregating in low-current areas. A common method for catching saugeye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting topwater lures, live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, white crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass and saugeye at Tuttle Creek Lake in Kansas.

Tuttle Creek Lake Fishing Video

Conveniently located on the northern outskirts of Manhattan, KS, Tuttle Creek Lake is a great place to go fishing, boating, water skiing, sightseeing and many other outdoor activities. This 12,500-acre lake, in the northeast part of the state, has over 100 miles of shoreline with a state park at each end of the lake.

Tuttle Creek Lake, located in northeastern Kansas, is a popular fishing destination known for its scenic beauty and diverse fish populations. Anglers are drawn to Tuttle Creek Lake for its excellent fishing opportunities and the chance to catch a variety of popular fish species.

Largemouth bass is one of the prized game fish found in Tuttle Creek Lake. Anglers can target these hard-fighting fish by casting with soft plastics, crankbaits, or topwater lures near submerged vegetation, fallen trees, and rocky structures. Tuttle Creek Lake offers ample opportunities to catch quality-sized largemouth bass, making it a favorite spot for bass anglers.

Rainbow trout is another popular species found in Tuttle Creek Lake. The lake is stocked with these vibrant and feisty fish, providing anglers with exciting trout fishing experiences. Anglers can target rainbow trout using various techniques such as casting with spinners, flies, or bait such as worms or PowerBait. The trout fishing season in Tuttle Creek Lake is usually during the cooler months, offering anglers a chance to catch these beautiful fish.

Channel catfish and blue catfish are abundant in Tuttle Creek Lake, providing anglers with excellent catfishing opportunities. These bottom-dwelling fish can be targeted using a variety of baits such as cut bait, stink bait, or live bait. Fishing near the lake's deeper areas, channels, or drop-offs can increase the chances of landing a catfish. Tuttle Creek Lake's catfish population offers both quantity and quality catches, making it an ideal destination for catfish enthusiasts.

White bass and white crappie are also popular species found in Tuttle Creek Lake. Anglers can target white bass by casting with jigs, spoons, or crankbaits near submerged structures, rocky points, or in open water where schools of baitfish are present. White crappie can be caught by vertical jigging near submerged structures, brush piles, or docks. Using minnows or soft plastics as bait can entice both white bass and white crappie into biting. Tuttle Creek Lake's population of these panfish species provides anglers with opportunities for both excitement and relaxation.

Sauger and bluegill are additional fish species found in Tuttle Creek Lake. Anglers can target sauger by trolling with crankbaits, casting with jigs, or drifting with live bait along the lake's drop-offs, rocky points, or submerged structures. Bluegill, known for their aggressive nature, offer anglers enjoyable panfishing opportunities. Tuttle Creek Lake's fish populations make it a versatile fishing destination with options for various angling preferences.

Access is available at the parks for anglers wishing to fish from the bank. Anglers visit in search of bass, catfish, trout, walleye, crappie, sunfish, saugeye and white bass which populate the lake. Several campgrounds, a marina, lodging, stores, bait and tackle, restaurants and other amenities are all available at, or very close by the lake. Several boat launch ramps are available to the public, subject to water levels.

Primary fish species residing in Tuttle Creek Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Tuttle Creek Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Tuttle Creek Lake also offers amenities for boating and camping, allowing anglers to make the most of their fishing trips. Anglers can explore the lake's waters, 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 fully enjoy the outdoor experience.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Fancy Creek State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Catfish Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Spillway Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Spillway Marina Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.