Milford Lake, Kansas - At 16,000 acres, Milford is Kansas’ largest reservoir. Built for flood control, it is more prone to flooding than low water, which can occasionally flush fish out of the system. The walleye population has rebounded from near-record floods in ‘93 and ‘95. Abundant gizzard shad forage enables walleyes to grow to 18 inches in 3 years.

Primarily fed by the Republican River and several smaller creeks, the upper third of the impoundment is slightly eutrophic with a silt-mud bottom and clay banks. River and creek channels exist, with water clarity stained at best. The lower two thirds in more classic walleye habitat displays clearer water, rocky banks, and some sand and clay. Steeper breaks, main-lake points, and cover dominate. Depths to 60 feet indicate a cross between flatland and hill-land characteristics.

Most walleyes are caught on classic structure, including points and submerged main-lake humps. Concentrate on the 5 to 12-foot depths, occasionally down to 20 to 25. When it’s windy, pitch fluorescent jigs or shad crankbaits up into 1 to 4 feet of water.