The Best Fishing Lakes In Kansas

Guide to top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in KS.

Clinton Lake, El Dorado Lake, Hillsdale Lake, Melvern Lake, Milford Lake, Tuttle Creek Lake and Wilson Lake are the most popular places for fishing in Kansas, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. The Fishing Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes. Some smaller lakes and ponds offer ice fishing in winter for a wide variety of species. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, and the species found in each lake.

Bass Lakes
Catfish Lakes
Crappie Lakes
Sunfish & Perch Lakes
Walleye Lakes
Trout Lakes
Striped Bass Lakes

Kansas is home to a variety of fishing lakes, both warm water and cold water, providing anglers with a diverse range of fishing opportunities. Warm water lakes in Kansas are known for their abundance of popular game fish species that thrive in warmer temperatures.

One notable warm water lake in Kansas is Milford Reservoir, which offers excellent fishing for species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish. Milford Reservoir's size and diverse structure, including submerged brush piles, rocky shorelines, and standing timber, create ideal habitats for these warm water species.

Another renowned warm water lake in Kansas is Cheney Reservoir. Cheney Reservoir is known for its fantastic walleye fishing, as well as its populations of largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, and catfish. Anglers can target these species using a variety of techniques and enjoy the thrill of catching them in the warm water of Cheney Reservoir.

Cold water lakes in Kansas, on the other hand, provide opportunities to target species that thrive in cooler temperatures, including trout and certain species of bass.

El Dorado Reservoir is a popular cold water lake in Kansas, offering anglers a chance to catch rainbow trout during the winter months when the lake is stocked. This provides a unique fishing experience for those looking to test their skills in the colder months.

Wilson Reservoir is another notable cold water lake in Kansas, known for its trophy smallmouth bass fishery. Anglers can enjoy targeting these feisty fish in the cooler waters of Wilson Reservoir, which is home to some of the largest smallmouth bass in the state.

Kansas's fishing lakes, whether warm water or cold water, cater to anglers' preferences and provide ample opportunities to target a variety of species. Whether you enjoy the thrill of catching bass, the challenge of landing trout, or the excitement of reeling in catfish, Kansas fishing lakes offer a wide range of fishing experiences to suit every angler's desires.

Trout Lakes

Clinton Lake, Lake Henry and many smaller lakes, rivers and streams are common options for rainbow and brown trout. More...

Striped Bass & Hybrid Striper Lakes

Clinton Lake, El Dorado Lake, Keith Sebelius Lake, Pomona Lake and Wilson Lake are some of the best options for striped bass and/or hybrid striped bass. More...

Visit the Kansas fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Kansas map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in KS at many of the most popular destinations in the state.