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Fishing Smoky Hill River: what the data says
Kanopolis tailwater to Salina: saugeye and wipers pour out of the reservoir gates. The river tops out around 10 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.
Saugeye fishing at Smoky Hill River
Start shallow in spring: saugeye sit in 3 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Kanopolis Dam tailrace, a dam tailrace in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for saugeye in spring. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A crawler harness (shallow) or a jig + crawler covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + twister tail, Blade bait |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness (shallow), Jig + crawler |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Blade bait, Jigging rap |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Blade bait |
White Bass & Hybrids fishing at Smoky Hill River
Start shallow in spring: white bass & hybrids sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Kanopolis Dam tailrace: a dam tailrace around 9 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A jigging spoon or a topwater (when schooling) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Rooster tail / inline spinner, Curly-tail jig (white/chartreuse) |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Jigging spoon, Topwater (when schooling) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Small blade bait, Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Jigging spoon, Blade bait (vertical) |
Channel Catfish fishing at Smoky Hill River
Spring channel catfish on Smoky Hill River hold shallow, usually 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Kanopolis tailrace, a creek channel in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
White Bass fishing at Smoky Hill River
In spring, white bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Kanopolis Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for spring white bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | see map |
Walleye fishing at Smoky Hill River
Spring walleye on Smoky Hill River hold shallow, usually 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Kanopolis Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for spring walleye. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Freshwater Drum fishing at Smoky Hill River
Spring freshwater drum on Smoky Hill River hold shallow, usually 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Kanopolis tailrace, a creek channel in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for freshwater drum in summer. Best bite is the evening. Summer baits: a jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Jig + curly tail (bounced), Small blade bait |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | Jig + crawler combo, Small crankbait (slow) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Blade bait (vertical), Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Jigging spoon (slow) |
Smoky Hill River also holds common carp (2 to 10 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Kanopolis Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Ksnoname 4626 Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Kanopolis tailrace: creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.4): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.4): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 20.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 27.4): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 29.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
Common questions
How deep is Smoky Hill River?
Smoky Hill River is about 10 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 Smoky Hill River?
Anglers target walleye, white bass, saugeye, channel catfish, white bass & hybrids, freshwater drum, common carp on Smoky Hill River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Smoky Hill River?
Kanopolis Dam tailrace is the top-rated area: a dam tailrace in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for saugeye in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Smoky Hill River?
For saugeye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Kanopolis Lake · Marion Lake · Herington Reservoir · Milford Lake · Wilson Lake · Cheney Lake
See how Smoky Hill River stacks up: best walleye lakes in Kansas · best white bass lakes in Kansas · best saugeye lakes in Kansas · best channel 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.