The 9 Best Fishing Lakes in Kansas

Explore the best fishing spots in Kansas! Discover the top lakes and rivers for catching bass, trout, catfish, walleye, and other popular fish species. Learn about the fish that swim in these waters, the best times to cast a line, and more.

Milford Lake

Milford Lake is the largest man-made lake in Kansas, located near Junction City. Spanning over 15,900 acres, it is a popular spot for fishing.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes, swimming
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at Milford State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Express Junction City, Baymont by Wyndham
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Junction City – 10 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: Murphy USA, Junction City – 10 minute drive

Cheney Reservoir

Cheney Reservoir is located in the south-central part of the state, near Garden Plain. Spanning over 7,500 acres, it is a popular location for anglers.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at nearby Cheney State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Americas Best Value Inn Garden Plain, Super 8 Wichita
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Cabela’s, Wichita – 40 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Wichita – 40 minute drive

El Dorado Reservoir

El Dorado Reservoir is located in south-central Kansas, near El Dorado. Spanning over 5,400 acres, it is a popular spot for anglers.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at El Dorado State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Super 8 El Dorado, Days Inn El Dorado
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Walmart, El Dorado – 10 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Wichita – 40 minute drive

Clinton Lake

Clinton Lake is located in eastern Kansas, near Lawrence. Spanning over 4,900 acres, it is a popular fishing destination.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, white bass, walleye, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at Clinton State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Best Western Lawrence, Econo Lodge Lawrence
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Cabela’s, Kansas City – 45 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Lawrence – 15 minute drive

Perry Lake

Perry Lake is located in northeast Kansas, near Oskaloosa. Spanning over 4,500 acres, it is a popular spot for anglers.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at Perry State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Comfort Inn Topeka, Super 8 Topeka
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Walmart, Topeka – 25 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Topeka – 20 minute drive

Pomona Lake

Pomona Lake is located in east-central Kansas, near Osage City. Spanning over 3,900 acres, it is a popular fishing spot.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at Pomona State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Super 8 Topeka, Holiday Inn Topeka
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Walmart, Topeka – 25 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Osage City – 15 minute drive

Lovewell Lake

Lovewell Lake is located in north-central Kansas, near Mankato. Spanning over 3,000 acres, it is a popular spot for anglers.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at nearby Lovewell State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Days Inn Beloit, Super 8 Beloit
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Walmart, Beloit – 15 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Beloit – 10 minute drive

Logan City Lake

Logan City Lake is located in northwest Kansas, near Logan. Spanning over 1,500 acres, it is a popular fishing spot.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at Logan State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Econo Lodge Scott City, Super 8 Scott City
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Walmart, Scott City – 20 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Scott City – 15 minute drive

Pawnee State Park

Pawnee State Park is located in south-central Kansas, near Larned. Spanning over 1,500 acres, it is a popular spot for anglers.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at Pawnee State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Days Inn Larned, Comfort Inn Larned
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Walmart, Larned – 10 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Larned – 5 minute drive

Hillsdale Lake

Hillsdale Lake is located in northeast Kansas, near Paola. Spanning over 1,100 acres, it is a popular spot for fishing.

• Types of fish: largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish
• Types of fishing: bank fishing, boat fishing, kayaks, canoes
• Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at Hillsdale State Park
• Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available for hire
• Closest Hotels to this Lake: Super 8 Paola, Quality Inn Paola
• Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Walmart, Olathe – 40 minute drive
• Basic Fishing Regulations: Licence needed, 5-fish limit
• Amenities of the Lake: boat ramps, swimming beaches, picnic areas
• Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: QuikTrip, Paola – 10 minute drive

Find Good Fishing Spots in Kansas and Other Nearby Lakes on The Map

Are you looking to explore other lakes and good fishing locations in Kansas? Look no further than the Google map below! With this interactive map, you can easily find bodies of water in the area and the fishing spots near them. Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or a novice angler, this map will help you find the perfect spot to cast your line. So check out the map and start exploring the lakes of Kansas today!

Check the Weather Forecast for Your Next Fishing Trip to Kansas

The weather in Kansas is generally mild and makes it a great destination for sport fishing throughout the year. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures reaching up to 90℉ (32℃) while winters are cold and dry with temperatures dropping down to 15℉ (-9℃). Spring and fall are moderate and pleasant. The state can experience heavy rainfall and thunderstorms throughout the year so it is important to check the weather before heading out for a fishing trip.