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Full Day Catfish Walleye Trip Milford Lake KS
- Published Date: January 14, 2026
- Fishing
- Milford Lake
- Updated Date: January 15, 2026
Summary
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Catfish and Walleye Action
Full Day Catfish and Walleye Trip at Milford Lake
When you're looking for a top-rated freshwater fishing experience in Kansas, Captain Merlyn's full-day trip on Milford Lake delivers exactly what serious anglers want. This 8-hour adventure gives you plenty of time to work the best spots for blue catfish, flathead catfish, and seasonal walleye without feeling rushed. Whether you're bringing the family for their first fishing trip or you're an experienced angler wanting to explore new waters, this customer favorite trip aboard our spacious SeaArk Pro Cat 240 has everything covered. All your gear, bait, and tackle come included - you just need to grab your snacks, drinks, and that Kansas fishing license.
What to Expect on the Water
Milford Lake is Kansas's largest reservoir, and Captain Merlyn knows every productive corner of this 15,000-acre fishery. Your day starts at either 8 AM or 1 PM, depending on what works best for your schedule and the current bite patterns. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is that we can cover serious ground - from the deeper channels where big blues like to cruise, to the rocky structure areas where flatheads ambush their prey. The lake's diverse habitat means we're constantly adjusting our approach based on what the fish are telling us. Some days they want cut bait in the main lake basins, other times they're stacked up around the timber in the creek arms. With a full day on the water, we've got time to figure out exactly what they want and put you on the fish. The SeaArk Pro Cat 240 gives us the stability and room to fish comfortably, even when the Kansas wind picks up.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
Catfish fishing on Milford requires a mix of finesse and power, and we've got the right gear for every situation. We run medium-heavy rods with quality reels that can handle the strong runs these fish are known for. For blue catfish, we typically use cut shad or skipjack on circle hooks, fished on the bottom in 15-25 feet of water around main lake points and humps. Flathead tactics are different - we're talking live bluegill or small channel cats on slip sinker rigs near cover like fallen trees or rock piles. The walleye bite depends heavily on the season, but when they're active, we'll switch to jigs tipped with crawlers or small plastics worked along the dam face or rocky shorelines. Captain Merlyn provides patient instruction throughout the trip, so beginners learn proper hooksets and fish handling while experienced anglers pick up local techniques that work specifically on this lake. We keep multiple rods rigged and ready so you can quickly adapt when the fish change their mood.
Top Catches This Season
Blue catfish are the bread and butter of Milford Lake, and these world-class fighters regularly hit the 10-20 pound range with occasional monsters pushing 30 pounds or more. They're most active during the warmer months from May through September, when they roam the main lake following schools of shad. Blues are aggressive feeders and once you find a school, the action can be fast and furious. What makes them so exciting to catch is their initial run - they'll peel drag for 50 yards before settling into a strong, steady fight. Flathead catfish are the lake's apex predators, and Milford produces some genuine hawgs. These solitary hunters prefer live bait and structure, making each hookup a strategic battle. Summer nights are prime time for flatheads, though our day trips still connect with good fish around deeper cover. They're ambush predators that can exceed 40 pounds, and their fight is pure power - no fancy moves, just bulldogging determination that tests your drag and your patience. The walleye population provides excellent variety, especially during spring and fall when they're actively feeding. These 2-4 pound fish might not have the size of the catfish, but they make up for it with numbers and table fare - walleye from Milford's clean, cold water are some of the best eating fish in Kansas.
Time to Book Your Spot
This renowned full-day fishing experience gives you the best shot at connecting with Milford Lake's legendary catfish population while learning from a captain who's spent years perfecting these techniques. With all gear provided and expert instruction included, you're set up for success whether this is your first time catfishing or you're looking to add some new tactics to your arsenal. The 8-hour format means we're not watching the clock - we're focused on putting you on fish and making sure you have the skills to catch them. Book your trip with Blue Catter's Guide Service and discover why Milford Lake has earned its reputation as one of Kansas's premier catfish destinations.
Learn more about the animals
Blue Catfish
Blues are the heavyweights of Milford Lake, averaging 25-46 inches and often pushing 80+ pounds. These slate-blue giants are pure muscle and will test your drag system. They're opportunistic feeders that'll hit cut bait, crawfish, and pretty much anything smelly that hits the bottom. You'll find them in the deeper channels and holes, especially where there's current flow. They really fire up during summer nights when the water's warm. What makes them special is that incredible fight - they'll make long, powerful runs that'll get your heart pumping. The meat quality is excellent too, firm and mild. Fresh-cut herring or shad works best - let it sink all the way down and wait for those telltale taps. Here's a local trick: bring leather gloves because these slippery beasts will test your grip when you're trying to land them. The bigger ones especially know how to use their weight.
Flathead Catfish
Flatheads are the prize fighters of our lake - these yellow-brown giants can push 3-4 feet and over 100 pounds. What sets them apart is their preference for live bait only. They want to see their prey moving, so bluegill, perch, or even small channel cats work best. You'll find them in the deepest pools and around submerged structure during daylight hours. They're ambush predators that sit tight until something swims by. The meat quality is outstanding - many consider it the best-eating catfish. Summer evenings into night are prime time when they move shallow to hunt. These fish have serious attitude and will make you work for every inch. The key is using live bait on a slip sinker rig and being patient - they'll mouth the bait before committing. My advice: use at least 50-pound line because when a big flathead decides to run, it's going to be a memorable battle that could last 20 minutes or more.
White Catfish
White catfish are the smaller cousins in our catfish family here on Milford, typically running half a pound to 2 pounds, though we occasionally see some pushing 10 pounds. They're actually pretty rare catches, which makes landing one special. You'll recognize them by their blue-gray backs and distinctive white chin barbels. Unlike blues and flatheads, they feed throughout the day but really turn on at dusk. Look for them in the muddy-bottom areas where they nose around for insects and small crustaceans. They're not as nocturnal as other cats, so morning trips can be productive. Fresh worms and chicken liver work great - just let your bait settle near the bottom but keep it moving slightly so they can detect it with those sensitive barbels. Pro tip: when you feel that first light tap, give them a second before setting the hook.
About the SeaArk Pro Cat 240
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 7
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 200
