James A. Reed Memorial W.A. (Kansas City Region)

Information: (816) 622-0900

The Reed Area is open for year-round fishing. Fishing is permitted from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm from October 1 through March 31. From April 1 through September 30, fishing is permitted from 6:00 am until 9:00 pm. Largemouth bass fishing should continue to be good at Bluestem, Catclaw, Gopher, Plover, and Lake Nell. Crank baits and spinner baits used in early spring and late fall near the numerous brush piles and along the weed beds should produce many legal-sized bass. Bluegill fishing will be excellent at Coot, Plover, Jackrabbit, Catclaw, and Lake Nell. We are currently encouraging anglers to release all bluegill less than seven inches long. Baits such as crickets and red worms fished near the brush piles and spawning beds should provide plenty of excitement. Redear sunfish are present in all area lakes; but Coot, Gopher, Plover, and Nell lakes have the potential to produce some over 10 inches long. Crappie fishing this year should provide very good catch rates during late March through early May. Crappie fishing should be excellent at Bodarc, Coot, Nell, Plover, and Gopher lakes. Channel catfish were stocked last fall into area lakes. Fishing should be best during the early morning and late evening hours following the spawn which typically occurs in June. Fishing should continue to be good through the months of July and August. Lake Nell, Coot, Plover, Catclaw, and Jackrabbit should provide the best action. Trout were stocked into Coot Lake in November of 2005 to establish a catch and release fishing season on all fish. Fishing with artificial lures and flies only will end January 31, 2006 - at that time the anglers can start to harvest these fish by area wide regulations. Note: the statewide limit on trout will be 4 trout per day, with a possession limit of 8 trout. An additional stocking of trout will occur in March to extend the trout fishing into the spring. Cottontail Lake is currently closed for renovation. The lake was cleaned out and new fish stocked. When these fish reach catchable size the lake will reopen to fishing.

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