Fishing In Kansas ishing in Kansas can be described with two words: variety and abundance. From east to west, north to south, Kansas has a rich and diverse array of gamefish species. The fishing Fheritage runs deep in Kansas, and fishing is important to the quality of life and rural economies. From wiper fishing in reservoirs to crappie fishing at the local lake, fishing in Kansas can be intense and thrilling or quiet and relaxing. For more information on fishing, Kansas state parks, hunting, or wildlife areas visit our website: kdwpt.state.ks.us Kansas Fishing: All you can imagine . and more! Kansas lakes and streams offer some of the finest fishing in the vately-owned, but some reaches are leased by KDWPT through Midwest — not only excellent channel, flathead, and blue catfish- the Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats (F.I.S.H) Pro- ing, but a variety that will surprise those unfamiliar with the Sun- gram, and other reaches flow through public wildlife areas. flower State. Three species of black basses, striped bass, white bass, Many streams provide excellent channel catfish, flathead cat- wiper, walleye, sauger, saugeye, crappie, paddlefish, and an array fish, and white bass fishing, and those in the east and southeast of popular sunfish species are ready for the taking in Kansas waters. may also hold spotted bass. State fish hatcheries produce millions of these fish each year. More than 150,000 privately-owned farm ponds also provide Some are stocked into lakes as fry, and some are grown to catch- outstanding fishing opportunities. Tucked away in beautiful able size before stocking. prairie settings, these secret fishing holes are largemouth bass, There are 26 large reservoirs in Kansas. The reservoirs range crappie, bluegill, and channel cat hotspots. Permission from the in size from 1,200 to 16,000 surface acres, and most offer park landowner is needed to fish on any private water, except those facilities. Fishing is the number one attraction, and reservoir an- waters enrolled in KDWPT's F.I.S.H program, in which KDWPT glers can pick their Pisces. But you don't need a horoscope to leases ponds and streams from private landowners in exchange find your favorite fish. for public fishing access. An atlas with maps showing all F.I.S.H. Depending on individual reservoir characteristics, each has its waters as well as other public water can be viewed online at the own specialty. In the northeast, reservoirs are known for produc- KDWPT website or be picked up wherever licenses are sold. ing crappie, white bass, and channel catfish. In the southeast, crap- Other special programs include the trout program, which pro- pie, largemouth bass, white bass, and catfish are tops. In the central vides trout in select waters across the state from November 1 part of the state, reservoirs draw anglers looking for walleye, white through April 15. A trout permit is required of all anglers who bass, striped bass, wipers, and channel cats. In the west, reservoirs fish for trout on these dates, and some waters require a trout per- are known for walleye, largemouth bass, wipers, and crappie. mit of all anglers. The urban program stocks channel catfish in For those who prefer smaller waters, KDWPT owns and operates select urban lakes. Check out the Fishing Forecast online, a more than 40 state fishing lakes. These impoundments can be as small compilation of biologists' sampling efforts, to help decide where as 8 acres (Black Kettle) or as large as 300. In addition, more than 200 to find preferred species. For up-to-date information, look up community-owned lakes are managed by KDWPT, and these jewels the fishing report for the lake of your choice also on KDWPT’s can provide outstanding angling opportunities. The Community Fish- website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. In addition, a blog entitled eries Assistance Program has leased fishing rights to most of these "KDWPT Public Fishing Reports" enables anglers to provide lakes to allow fishing from the shore or a boat with no additional fees. timely reports and tips local biologist may not have heard. There are more than 10,000 miles of streams and rivers in Kansas waters offer anglers the opportunity to let their imagi- Kansas, most of which are privately-owned. The three naviga- nations soar. Whether you specialize in catfish or crappie, wipers ble rivers — the Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas — are open to or walleye, or love them all, Kansas is the place for you. Use this the public although one must have permission to access these guide to find a lake, stream, or reservoir that fits your style. Then rivers through private land. All other Kansas streams are pri- do more than imagine what great fishing the Sunflower State offers. Administrative REGION 1 Regions REGION 2 Kansas is divided into five regions for REGION 3 KDWPT administrative purposes. Each re- REGION 4 gion has a full-service regional office, as well REGION 5 as numerous local and district offices. This brochure gives anglers an overview of fishing opportunities in the state. Facility information in the following tables should be timely; however, because fish populations fluctuate from year to year, abundances of individual species are not provided. Check with individual area offices or view the annual Fish- ing Forcast, the Kansas Fishing Atlas or the KDWPT website fishing reports for more specific details on fish populations and conditions. Cabins Make Perfect Base Camps Complement your fishing trip with amenities. Most cabins a relaxing stay at a Kansas state park can sleep four to six or wildlife area cabin. More than 100 adults while others can cabins are available across the state, sleep up to 10 adults. located at 19 state parks, five wildlife About half of the cabins areas and one at the Kansas State Fair. are ADA accessible. The cabins offer a wide range of Nightly rental rates vary amenities. Deluxe cabins feature heat- depending on location, ing and air conditioning, and most season, day of the week have furnished kitchens with refriger- and available amenities. ators, stoves, microwaves and coffee Reserve your cabin pots; separate bedrooms and full bath- online at reserve.ksout- ity, and reserve a cabin up to a year in rooms with showers. Basic sleeper doors.com. You can review cabin advance. Online instructions guide cabins are more rustic with fewer amenities, check prices and availabil- you through the reservation process. Cabin Locations Atchison State Fishing Lake (SFL) – 1 McPherson SFL – 1 Cedar Bluff State Park – 6 Milford State Park – 10 Cheney State Park – 9 Mined Land Wildlife Area – 2 Clinton State Park – 2 Ottawa State Fishing Lake – 1 Crawford State Park – 5 Perry State Park – 4 Cross Timbers State Park – 4 Pomona State Park – 2 Eisenhower State Park – 7 Prairie Dog State Park – 4 El Dorado State Park – 10 Scott State Park – 2 Fall River State Park – 3 Tuttle Creek State Park – 11 Glen Elder State Park – 2 Webster State Park –1 Kanopolis State Park – 6 Wilson State Park – 6 Kansas State Fair (Hutchinson) – 1 Kingman (SFL) – 2 Lovewell State Park – 6 159 7 25 27 117 DECATUR NORTON NEMAHA 161 283 PHILLIPS 281 14 REPUBLIC BROWN 383 28 81 15 77 99 83 183 15 63 75 73 ST. Francis Atwood 8 Hiawatha 36 Norton 60 Lovewell DONIPHAN Oberlin Smith Belleville Washington 36 36 Marysville Seneca 120 383 Center Mankato 36 AtchisonTroy 36 WASHINGTON 87 187 159 36 75 20 Philipsburg 181 281 128 148 SFL CHEYENNE 9 20 RAWLINS 9 9 73 123 9 CLOUD 77 SMITH JEWELL 28 MARSHALL Prairie Dog 9 9 Atchison SHERIDAN GRAHAM 62 159 83 283 ROOKS OSBORNE Concordia RILEY POTTAWATOMIE 23 4 Webster 24 Glen Elder 15 Holton 116 Stockton Osborne Beloit 16 Colby 9 ATCHISON 73 Goodland 24 Clay 16 24 Center Tuttle CreekWestmoreland JEFFERSON 70 24 24 7 Hoxie Hill 4 192 27 383 13 Leavenworth City 82 177 63 92 14 59 25 OTTAWA 75 LEAVEN- 281 24 JACKSON SHERMAN 18 MITCHELL 81 Manhattan 92 Oskaloosa 635 THOMAS Ottawa 82 WORTH WYANDOTTE 113 16 5 Minneapolis CLAY 18 SHAWNEE 24 Oakley SFL 40 Kansas TREGO 181 DICKINSON 18 177 Perry City Wakeeney 281 Lincoln 106 40 70 25 40 183 232 18 Junction 32 83 Alma 470 Gove Milford City Lawrence 10 40 57 4 Topeka 435 Sharon 70 77 GEARY 99 Wilson Olathe 150 Springs Russel LINCOLN Abilene DOUGLAS Cedar Bluff Hays 70 Clinton 69 43 WALLACE Salina OSAGE 156 4 WABAUNSEE 31 56 JOHNSON LOGAN GOVE 140 15 147 ELLIS RUSSELL 27 Ellsworth 104 59 7 141 4 35 RUSH 149 33 BARTON 56 Ottawa 68 68 4 Kanopolis 31 14 SALINE Council 268 Scott Scott Grove Lyndon 68 MIAMI Paola Tribune Leoti 177 96 City 4 ELLSWORTH 4 81 MORRIS Pomona50 Ness La Crosse 170 Dighton City McPherson McPHERSON 56 96 281 57 Emporia 169 96 35W SFL FRANKLIN 83 156 Mc Pherson 50 135 56 75 LINN GREELEY WICHITA 150 Eisenhower SCOTT Great 56 Cottonwood 57 LANE 283 183 Lyons 31 NESS Bend Falls Marion Garnet 7 52 23 15 61 156 RICE LYON Mound Larned Kansas 77 Burlington 52 19 35 City 25 HARVEY 59 50 PAWNEE 169 31 156 96 MARION CHASE 57 239 Jetmore State Fair ANDERSON 50 156 19 14 Newton GREENWOOD COFFEY 3 Syracuse 50 WOODSON 65 31 Lakin Garden ST. John El Dorado 52 Hutchinson Iola BOURBON City HODGEMAN 177 CrossYates 50 61 196 7 69 270 50 81 Center Kinsley 54 56 SEDGWICK Timbers 54 STAFFORD Cheney 54 Fort HAMILTON 25 Dodge City 96 35W Eureka 57 KEARNY 83 Cimarron Scott FINNEY EDWARDS 17 296 254 El Dorado ALLEN 27 281 61 RENO 39 23 WILSON Chanute Crawford 154 Wichita 54 39 Johnson Kingman 99 39 7 270 Ulysses Pratt 96 57 54 146 160 283 154 169 160 144 64 235 Greensburg 77 75 Erie 3 190 42 Fredonia 54 Fall River 47 47 57 GRAY FORD 34 Kingman14 15 160 STANTON PRATT 42 BUTLER Girard