No salmon runs, just piles of percidae, in Kansas waterways

 

Kansas State University fisheries and aquatics extension specialist Joe Gerken says percids can migrate hundreds of miles upstream.

K-State wildlife expert provides fishing tips for walleye, sauger and other percids

At a glance: K-State fisheries and aquatics extension specialist Joe Gerken offers advice on fishing for percids like walleye, sauger and other species this time of year.

More information: Joe Gerken, 785-532-1418, gerkenje@k-state.edu

Related: Fins, Furs and Feathers podcast

 

May 6, 2025

By Jacob Klaudt, K-State Research and Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Fish in the family Percidae – also known as percids – spawn their young annually between March and May in Kansas, creating a “hot spot” for fishermen looking to break out their rods and reels for the first time, said Kansas State University fisheries and aquatics Extension specialist Joe Gerken.

“The ones in this family are going to be walleye, yellow perch, sauger and saugeye,” he said. “Most people are going to have eaten a walleye sandwich or been out fishing for them, but there still is a lot of diversity in this family – such as wild-colored, little fish called darters.”

Gerken recommends anglers beat the heat and get out on the water early to hook onto different percids.

“The more time you spend out there, the more luck you'll have,” he said. “Fishing at dusk, dawn or overnight is generally best because they like cooler temperatures, making spring and fall easier for fishing.”

For those who prefer to hit the afternoon bite, walleye can be found at greater depths than usual.

“They like little light, and so, if you're trolling (towing baited hooks behind a boat at a constant speed), use crankbaits that will get down deep,” Gerken said. “If you're in an area where you're strictly targeting percids, you might use something like a bottom bouncer or a Lindy rig, dragging just above the surface where the walleye feed.”

With walleye not being as aggressive as some species, fishermen may encounter slower periods out on the water. Gerken said those down on their luck shouldn’t be afraid to swap things around.

“Change your bait; one that we see work great sometimes is night crawlers,” he said. “The next day, however, you might need leeches or minnows, which might change from morning to night.”

Beyond typical bait, Percids prefer to eat smaller fish like gizzard shad, crappie and even bugs that fall in the water, which makes twisty tail grubs a popular lure right now for fish like sauger.

If the local fishing spot or secretive honey hole is not producing much percids, Gerken said anglers should try dropping a line near dams or areas with large concentrations of rocks.

“They like gravel or big, rocky structures, so you'll see them stacking up on dams because they are lined with boulders, which is the habitat they like,” he said. “The tail waters, specifically, might be a good opportunity to go out and harvest some of them.”

At the end of the day, if anglers still find themselves in a slump, Gerken encourages them to stay persistent and keep on fishing.

“Try different lure colors, different speeds of retrieval and just get out there and remember that having fun is the big thing,” he said.

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.