My father is retiring and moving to his wife's hometown of Olathe, KS. He asked me if I knew anything about the fshing in the area, and since I really don't, I thought I'd ask around for him. He mainly likes to fish for crappie, but I think he's happy catching just about anything. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

My father is retiring and moving to his wife's hometown of Olathe, KS. He asked me if I knew anything about the fshing in the area, and since I really don't, I thought I'd ask around for him. He mainly likes to fish for crappie, but I think he's happy catching just about anything. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Nearly all the lakes around this part of Kansas are great crappie lakes. Melvern seems to be hot this year (about an hour away). Hillsdale, Clinton, Lake Olathe... truly all the lakes are good for crappie... wish the bassin was as good as the crappie fishing is...

The KDWP website will show all the lakes around. When he gets up here and figures out what lakes he wants to hit let us know... Another place to look is Crappie.com forum they break topics down by state... lots Kansans over there...

My son and I have been catching crappie out of Hillsdale along with some of the biggest white bass I have ever seen! Guy I know got a 40.2 pound catfish from Lake Olathe last week on a crankbait!! You got some good advice from the post above!! Here are a few pics to get your Dad fired up!

numbers: Kill Creek

size: Cedar Lake

Thanks for the ideas! I'll pass them along to my dad.

About 8 or 10 years ago we absolutely slayed the crappie on Cedar Lake. probably caught close to 100 fish between the two of us in one afternoon. I have only fished it a couple of time recently so I don't know if the crappie fish is still that great. I plan on checking it out this weekend.

About 8 or 10 years ago we absolutely slayed the crappie on Cedar Lake. probably caught close to 100 fish between the two of us in one afternoon. I have only fished it a couple of time recently so I don't know if the crappie fish is still that great. I plan on checking it out this weekend.

water is super dirty and the bass are not spawning yet. if you bass fish jigs/plastics produced the best.

water is super dirty and the bass are not spawning yet. if you bass fish jigs/plastics produced the best.

What jigs do you fish on Cedar? I usually fish a beaver type bait and do fairly well. Never have had a good spinnerbait bite despite the shallow, muddy water seeming to be perfect for one. Had one really good day with a crankbait, since then I can't hardly buy a crankbait bite. I keep going back though because when you get bit a lot of the time it's a quality fish.

water is super dirty and the bass are not spawning yet. if you bass fish jigs/plastics produced the best.

Does Cedar Lake have a boat ramp? KDWP says no, but I see in your picture looks like they must have one?

What jigs do you fish on Cedar? I usually fish a beaver type bait and do fairly well. Never have had a good spinnerbait bite despite the shallow, muddy water seeming to be perfect for one. Had one really good day with a crankbait, since then I can't hardly buy a crankbait bite. I keep going back though because when you get bit a lot of the time it's a quality fish.

blue/black or red/black. i give up the red/black once the water is over the mid 60's. when rehabing i used to walk the lake in the late winter, early spring. the place has huge reddish craw daddys. there are many fish over 6 lbs in that lake.

Does Cedar Lake have a boat ramp? KDWP says no, but I see in your picture looks like they must have one?

it sure does. its at the very back of the place.

blue/black or red/black. i give up the red/black once the water is over the mid 60's. when rehabing i used to walk the lake in the late winter, early spring. the place has huge reddish craw daddys. there are many fish over 6 lbs in that lake.

Guess that makes sense, same colors I usually fish in the beaver baits minus junebug. Guess I already knew the answer to my question!

i hit Cedar today. the crankbait bite isnt there but the Carolina Rigged creature bait bite was consistent, plus 27 crappie.

Well, thanks for the ideas, but it looks like they won't be making the move after all. They had some kind of problem with the house they were buying, and they decided to stay in Colorado. Oh well. Thanks again.