Yates Center Reservoir, Kansas: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Kansas, Yates Center Reservoir belongs to Woodson County. The ground around here is farm and woodlot. With some 114 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Roughly 2.5 miles of bank means you can walk to a fresh area when one goes quiet. For a base, Yates Center sits 1.4 miles out. Humboldt follows at 18 miles, then Iola at 20 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Yates Center Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Survey and observation records for Woodson County include longear sunfish, flathead catfish, green sunfish, white crappie and channel catfish. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Take Yates Center Reservoir a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 79°F at the top of summer and 29°F at the bottom of winter. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Time your trip to Yates Center Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Toronto Lake sits 12 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Yates Center Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.