The Clinton Lake Catfish Chasers Tournament runs each summer and draws anglers who want to fish for channel catfish, flatheads, and blues in a competitive setting

The Catfish Chasers Tournament at Clinton Lake is an annual summer event hosted by local fishing clubs and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The tournament focuses on catfish species — channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish — and takes place on Clinton Reservoir near Lawrence. The event typically runs over a weekend in mid-summer, though the exact dates shift year to year.

The tournament draws both experienced catfish anglers and people new to competitive fishing. Boats launch from the main marina, and anglers fish designated hours — usually from dawn to dusk or a set window like 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weigh-in happens at the marina, where fish are measured and recorded. Prize money or merchandise goes to top finishers in different categories: largest single fish, heaviest total catch, and sometimes a youth division.

Key Takeaways

  • The tournament runs during summer months on Clinton Reservoir near Lawrence, with exact dates posted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks each year.
  • You need a valid Kansas fishing license and a boat or access to one; shore fishing is not part of the tournament format.
  • Entry fees vary by year and organizer, so contact the hosting club directly for current cost and registration deadlines.
  • Catfish are caught using rod and reel, trotlines, or jugs depending on tournament rules — check the specific rulebook before you fish.
  • Weigh-in times are strict; fish brought in after the deadline do not count, so plan your return to the marina well in advance.

How to Register and What It Costs

Registration for the Catfish Chasers Tournament opens several weeks before the event. You can register through the hosting club — usually the Clinton Lake Catfish Chasers club itself — or sometimes through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website. Entry fees cover your boat's participation and typically range from $50 to $150 per boat, though this varies by year and the number of anglers in your boat.

Most tournaments allow two to four anglers per boat. You will need to provide the names of everyone fishing, their ages (if any are under 16), and proof that each person holds a valid Kansas fishing license. Registration deadlines are usually two to three weeks before the tournament date. Late registration may be available but often costs more or may not be accepted if the field is full.

What You Need to Bring and Know Before Launch

Bring your fishing license, boat registration, and life jackets for everyone on board — these are not optional. Pack rods, reels, and tackle suited to catfish: medium to heavy action rods work well, and catfish respond to live bait (shad, bluegill, chicken liver) and cut bait (shad, herring). Bring a cooler with ice for your catch, a net or gaff to land fish safely, and a scale or measuring tape for verification at weigh-in.

Check the tournament rulebook before you fish. Rules cover which methods are legal (rod and reel only, or do trotlines count?), which species count toward your total, minimum size requirements, and whether you can keep fish in a livewell or must ice them immediately. Clinton Lake has specific regulations about which areas are open to fishing during the tournament, so study the map provided at registration.

Arrive at the marina at least 30 minutes before your assigned launch time. Fuel up beforehand if possible — the marina may have limited fuel availability on tournament day. Check weather forecasts the night before and the morning of; summer thunderstorms can develop quickly, and the lake can get rough.

Where to Fish on Clinton Lake

Clinton Reservoir is roughly 7,000 acres and has deep channels, shallow flats, and structure like fallen trees and rock piles where catfish hold. The main lake body runs north to south, with the deepest water in the central channel. Catfish often stay near the dam area and in the creek channels that feed the lake — these are productive zones early and late in the day.

The tournament may restrict fishing to certain zones or allow the whole lake. Check your tournament packet for any off-limits areas. Many anglers fish the deeper holes during midday heat and move to shallower structure at dawn and dusk. Flathead catfish, which are aggressive hunters, often patrol deeper channels and respond to live bait. Channel catfish and blues are less picky and will take cut bait or stink bait in shallower water.

Weigh-In Rules and How Scoring Works

Weigh-in is the most time-sensitive part of the tournament. You must return to the marina and have your fish weighed and recorded before the deadline — usually 2 p.m. or 4 p.m., depending on the tournament schedule. Fish brought in after the cutoff time do not count, even if you were fishing legally up until that moment. Plan to head back to the marina 30 to 45 minutes before weigh-in closes to account for travel time and the queue of other boats.

At weigh-in, your fish are placed on an official scale and recorded by species and weight. Some tournaments score by total weight of all fish caught; others score by the single heaviest fish or by a point system. Dead fish and live fish are weighed the same way. If a fish is questionable — damaged, undersized, or the wrong species — the tournament director makes the call. Arguing does not change the outcome, so accept the decision and move on.

Catfish Cooking and Preparation After the Tournament

If you keep your catch, catfish are excellent eating. Channel catfish and blues have mild, slightly sweet meat that takes well to frying, baking, or grilling. Flatheads are leaner and benefit from butter or oil to keep them moist. Fillet them fresh if possible — the sooner after landing, the better the texture and flavor.

To fillet a catfish, lay it on a cutting board and make a cut behind the gills down to the backbone. Angle your knife toward the tail and follow the backbone, keeping the blade close to the ribs. Flip the fish and repeat on the other side. Rinse the fillets under cold water and pat dry. Remove any remaining small bones with tweezers or a fine-toothed comb. Catfish skin is tough and usually removed before cooking — a fillet knife or vegetable peeler works well for this.

Fried catfish is traditional: dredge fillets in cornmeal seasoned with salt, pepper, and cayenne, then fry in oil at 350°F until golden and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Baked catfish stays moist if you top it with butter, lemon, and herbs, then cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Grilled catfish benefits from a marinade or a simple brush of oil and seasoning before cooking over medium heat.

Community and Returning Anglers

The Catfish Chasers Tournament draws the same group of people year after year, and many friendships form around the dock and on the water. Newcomers are welcomed — catfish fishing has a reputation for being inclusive and patient with people learning the sport. If you are new to tournament fishing, arrive early, ask questions at registration, and do not hesitate to talk to other anglers at the marina. Most will share tips about where they plan to fish or what bait is working.

The tournament is also a chance to learn Clinton Lake itself. Each time you fish it, you build a mental map of structure and depth. Catfish are predictable once you understand where they hide, so returning to the same lake year after year pays off. Many anglers keep notes on what worked — which baits, which depths, which times of day — and use those notes to plan their next tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my own boat to fish the tournament?

Yes, the tournament is boat-based. If you do not own a boat, you can partner with someone who does or rent one from a local marina. Some anglers post notices looking for fishing partners, so check the tournament Facebook page or ask at the marina.

What if I catch a fish that is too small or the wrong species?

Small fish and non-target species do not count toward your score. You can release them or keep them for personal use, depending on Kansas regulations. Only fish that meet the tournament's size and species requirements are weighed and scored.

Can I fish with live bait and cut bait at the same time?

Most tournaments allow multiple rods per angler, so yes — you can fish live bait on one rod and cut bait on another. Check the specific rulebook for rod limits and any restrictions on the number of lines in the water at once.

What happens if the weather is bad on tournament day?

Tournaments rarely cancel due to weather unless conditions are dangerous — lightning, extreme wind, or flooding. If the event is postponed, the organizers will announce it and set a new date. Check email and the tournament's social media the morning of the event.

Where do I find the exact tournament dates each year?

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks posts tournament schedules on their website, and the Clinton Lake Catfish Chasers club announces dates on their Facebook page and through local fishing forums. Dates typically fall in June, July, or August.