Bass Fishing Wilson Lake, Kansas in July

Wilson Lake in Kansas is one of the state’s most scenic waters. Sandstone cliffs ring parts of the lake, while gentle banks and open shorelines make it easy to access by foot. It’s a favorite spot for campers, boaters, and, of course, anglers looking for that next big bite.

With water so clear you could mistake it for a swimming pool, it’s easy to see why the lake attracts so many people. Only difference is, you might find a smallmouth in this “pool.” The lake holds a strong mix of species — striped bass, hybrid bass, smallmouth, largemouth, and walleye. During summer, when the stripers and hybrids are chasing shad, you can catch them on nearly every cast. Around the lake, hang gliders launch from the cliffs, and mountain bikers hit the trails for year-round races.

Side note: This lake can get rough fast when the Kansas wind kicks up. A strong south wind can build waves dangerous enough to swamp smaller boats. Always wear a life jacket if you’re fishing from an aluminum or plastic boat — you’ve been warned!

The Bass Fishing

Fishing at Wilson is a little different than most Kansas lakes. The clear water makes fish cautious, so long casts are critical. I use 6 lb Seaguar fluorocarbon on a G. Loomis NRX spinning setup — a combination that’s light, strong, and sensitive enough for clear-water presentations.

My go-to bait here is a Zoom Super Fluke, fished through isolated grass pockets and weed beds around the coves. A weedless topwater frog over the same cover can also draw explosive strikes — maybe even enough to land you at the top of the leaderboard.

A few years back, smallmouth dominated tournament weigh-ins at Wilson. Big, fat bronzebacks used to steal the show. But lately, things have shifted. In our most recent event, only one solid smallmouth made it to the scales; nearly everything else was largemouth. Many of those largemouth looked stressed — big heads, skinny bodies — likely from competing with the booming striped bass population. Add a few harsh winters that hammered the shad population, and it’s easy to see the strain on the ecosystem. The stripers can eat through baitfish quickly, and the lake’s future health depends on keeping enough forage around.

Conclusion

Before you hit the water, remember a few essentials:

• A good hat for that relentless prairie sun.
• A life vest — those Kansas winds are no joke.
• A rod and reel setup capable of long, precise casts.
• Clear-water tactics like staying quiet and keeping your shadow off the strike zone.

Get out there and enjoy the day — catching, not just fishing.

@ksbigbass