Crankbait (Shallow) Fishing on Cheney Reservoir
Cheney Reservoir · Kansas · Midwest
Cheney Reservoir sits on the North Fork of the Ninnescah River in Reno County, a wide, shallow prairie impoundment averaging roughly 14 feet deep with a maximum depth near 40 feet in the old river channel. Water clarity runs turbid to slightly stained through most of the year, driven by wind chop on exposed flats and agricultural runoff from the surrounding watershed. Largemouth bass, white bass, and walleye share the fishery, but largemouth hold the primary attention of dedicated bass anglers working the riprap dam face, flooded timber pockets, and shallow cove structure.
Square-bill and shallow-diving crankbaits (0–6 feet) deflect off wood and rock, triggering reaction strikes. The erratic wobble on contact is the strike trigger. Best fished fast around hard cover — laydowns, stumps, rip-rap, and dock pilings where bass are ambushing.
Crankbait (Shallow) Setup for Cheney Reservoir
| Rod | 7'–7'6" medium casting rod, moderate action (critical — absorbs hooksets and keeps fish pinned) |
| Reel | 5.4:1–6.4:1 baitcaster (slower retrieve for more action) |
| Line | 12–17 lb fluorocarbon (sinks lure slightly, adds action) |
| Weight | Square bill 3/8–1/2 oz; shallow diver 1/4–3/8 oz |
Seasonal Tactics on Cheney Reservoir
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth stage along the riprap dam face and main-lake points in 6–12 ft of water as temps climb through the mid-50s, then push into protected coves and shallow timber flats once the water hits 60°F. White bass runs up the Ninnescah River arm draw significant crowds in April.
Crankbait (Shallow): Pre-spawn best season. Deflect off stumps and wood in 2–6 feet. Crawfish colors (red/orange) dominate.
Lake: Largemouth retreat to the deeper creek channel edges and any shade-producing dock or timber structure; the thermocline in this shallow reservoir compresses usable depth quickly, and fish concentrate in the 12–18 ft zone along channel swings during peak heat.
Crankbait (Shallow): Early morning and evening only in shallow. Fish shaded wood. Shad colors midday.
Lake: Shad migrations pull bass onto main-lake flats and secondary points through September and October — reaction baits like lipless crankbaits and swimbait-rigged paddle tails produce well when fish are actively schooling near the surface.
Crankbait (Shallow): Cover water along banks and points fast. Shad patterns — white, ghost, and natural baitfish colors.
Lake: Largemouth become lethargic and stack near the deepest available structure, primarily the old river channel in 25–35 ft; slow-rolled swimbaits and finesse drop shots on the channel ledge edges are the most consistent cold-water approach.
Crankbait (Shallow): Switch to suspending crankbait with slower retrieve. Minnow-style baits outperform wide wobble in cold water.
Best Conditions
Stained water, wood and rock cover, spring pre-spawn, windy days, post-spawn, fall feeding
Use a moderate-action rod, not fast. A fast rod causes you to rip the bait away from fish on the strike — the rod needs to load and bend.
More Techniques for Cheney Reservoir
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