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Fishing Neosho River: what the data says
Emporia to Iola. Kansas flathead country; huge fish from the log-jammed bends. The river tops out around 15 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Flathead Catfish fishing at Neosho River
Start shallow in spring: flathead catfish sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Log-jam bends: a standing timber / brush around 10 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday |
Channel Catfish fishing at Neosho River
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Cottonwood confluence (Emporia): a inflow / creek mouth around 8 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday |
Blue Catfish fishing at Neosho River
In spring, blue catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 15 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 15 ft. John Redmond tailwater is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 12 ft, rated prime for spring blue catfish. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday |
White Bass fishing at Neosho River
Start shallow in spring: white bass sit in 2 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Cottonwood confluence (Emporia), a inflow / creek mouth in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for white bass in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | see map |
Spotted Bass fishing at Neosho River
Spring spotted bass on Neosho River hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. Summer fish stay in 5 to 15 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 9.9), a current seam in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for spotted bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot over brush or a underspin + fluke (schoolers) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig on gravel points, Shaky head |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot over brush, Underspin + fluke (schoolers) |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Walking topwater, Underspin |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Damiki/hover rig, Jigging spoon |
Freshwater Drum fishing at Neosho River
Start shallow in spring: freshwater drum sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it John Redmond tailwater: a creek channel around 12 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Summer baits: a jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Jig + curly tail (bounced), Small blade bait |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dusk | Jig + crawler combo, Small crankbait (slow) |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday | Blade bait (vertical), Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Jigging spoon (slow) |
Neosho River also holds common carp (3 to 15 ft in summer), crappie (5 to 15 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Ksnoname 1338 Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Ksnoname 427 Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- John Redmond tailwater: creek channel, around 12 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.3): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.4): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 20.2): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.4): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 29.2): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.6): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 34.1): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 39.4): creek channel, around 11 ft
Common questions
How deep is Neosho River?
Neosho River is about 15 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Neosho River?
Anglers target white bass, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, freshwater drum, common carp, spotted bass on Neosho River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Neosho River?
Log-jam bends is the top-rated area: a standing timber / brush in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for flathead catfish in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Neosho River?
For flathead catfish, the summer bite is best in after dark and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
John Redmond Lake · Melvern Lake · Toronto Lake · Pomona Lake · Fall River Lake · Verdigris River
See how Neosho River stacks up: best white bass lakes in Kansas · best crappie lakes in Kansas · best channel catfish lakes in Kansas · best flathead catfish lakes in Kansas
Browse all Kansas fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.