Marais des Cygnes River

This 6,930 acres reservoir was planned, designed, constructed, and today managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Located 40 miles south of Topeka, and is nestled on east edge of the Flint hills Region. Congress authorized the construction of Melvern Lake as a multipurpose project for flood damage reduction and water resource development. An impoundment of the Marais Des Cygnes River, the Melvern Dam stretches more than 9,500 feet and rises nearly 125 feet off the river valley floor. Recreation, fish and wildlife conservation, and water quality are other important benefits of the lake. Today the parks that surround the lake, managed by both the Corps and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), offer recreation options such as hiking, camping, boating, fishing and hunting.

Early in the year many fish will feed on invertebrates and aquatic insects. As the year progresses fish will start targeting larger forage. Gizzard shad, shiners, bluegills and large crustaceans are abundant and provide forage for bigger fish.

During the early part of the year look for crappies and walleyes to move into shallow water to spawn. Crappies will relate to shallow rocks and brush while walleyes will relate to gravel shorelines. Catfish will also move into shallow coves, especially where creeks enter into the lake.