Through much of the fall, white bass and wipers often continue their summer habit of feeding on shad in the cool of the night. If they can't be found near the surface, cast jigs, spinners, or crankbaits along rip-rapped piers, jetties, or dams in 6 to 20 feet of water. Minnows, live shad, and jigging spoons also work well along drop-offs or flats.

Walleye are quite difficult to find in the hot summer months, but in late fall, they can often be found near humps, islands, and drop-offs in 15 to 25 feet of water. Drifting a jig-minnow combination or trolling shad-colored crankbaits works well. Crappie can also be found at this time of year 6 to 20 feet deep, often near brush, old stumps, and submerged trees. Vertically fishing jigs or jig-minnow combinations is effective.

As the water cools below 50 degrees, crappie congregate in large schools and move into the main lake. They still frequent submerged timber or creek and river channels, but they may also suspend in open, deeper water at this time of year. Using a depth finder, mark suspended schools with a marker buoy and position the boat directly over the school. Drop a jig or jigging spoon down and adjust the depth until it's at or just above the depth of the fish.

Because gizzard shad are the most common prey species in Kansas reservoirs, use jigs, spoons, and crankbaits that resemble shad.

NATIONAL GUARD AND DISABLED VETERANS LICENSES AVAILABLE

A program created by the Kansas State Legislature and administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offers active members of the Kansas Army and Air National Guard who are Kansas residents the opportunity to receive free Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, as well as free state park permits.

Like other KDWP permits and licenses, 2009 National Guard permits will be available on Dec. 15, 2008, and will be valid for the remainder of 2008 and all of 2009. To receive free licenses and permits, Kansas guardsmen apply to KDWP’s Pratt Operations Office. Depending on the particular licenses and/or state park permits they request, they will be required to submit appropriate documentation.

Application forms for 2009 National Guard licenses and permits can be downloaded from the KDWP website. Click here, then on "Application KS 2009 National Guard Hunting, Fishing and Park Vehicle Permit." Applications may be sent in now, but licenses and permits will not be issued until after Dec. 15. The forms must be signed by the National Guard member’s unit commander and mailed to KDWP with photocopies of appropriate documentation.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, a portion of the program will be extended to include all Kansas veterans who have been certified by a physician as at least 30 percent disabled. Disabled veterans who enlisted as regular servicemen will be able to apply for free hunting and fishing licenses (not applicable for park permits). Those applications are also available on the KDWP website. Click here, then on "Application 2009 KS Disabled Hunting and Fishing License."

News Source: Kansas DWR - Nov. 13, 2008