Guide To Popular Panfish Fishing In Kansas

All about fishing for sunfish in KS lakes and ponds.

Throughout the state of Kansas you can find waters with populations of sunfish, including bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass and yellow perch. Ice fishing for sunfish and perch can be very productive, as well as a good time for the youngsters.

Kansas offers fantastic opportunities for panfish fishing, providing anglers, especially young ones, with a chance to enjoy the thrill of catching various species. Panfish, which generally refers to smaller-sized fish, include sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, green sunfish, and perch.

Sunfish, including bluegill, are among the most common and popular panfish species in Kansas. These fish are known for their vibrant colors and their willingness to bite. Bluegill can be found in many lakes, ponds, and reservoirs throughout the state, making them an accessible target for youth anglers. They are often caught using small hooks and bait, such as worms or crickets, and can provide non-stop action on a sunny day.

Redear sunfish, also known as shellcrackers, are another exciting panfish species found in Kansas. They have a reputation for being larger and more selective in their feeding habits compared to bluegill. Redear sunfish are known for their love of snails and may require different bait presentations to entice them. These fish provide a fun challenge for young anglers looking to expand their panfish-catching skills.

Green sunfish, while not as abundant as bluegill or redear sunfish, can still be found in certain waters across Kansas. They are known for their aggressive nature and are often caught using similar techniques as other sunfish species. Their vibrant colors and feisty fights make them an enjoyable target for youth anglers.

Perch, specifically yellow perch, are also considered part of the panfish category and can be found in certain Kansas waters. While they may not be as numerous as sunfish species, yellow perch offer a different angling experience and can provide a delightful catch for young anglers. They are often caught using small jigs or live bait, and their presence in a fishing spot can add excitement to a day on the water.

Kansas's panfish fishing not only offers abundant opportunities for youth anglers to catch fish but also teaches them important skills such as casting, baiting hooks, and practicing catch-and-release conservation. Many Kansas lakes, ponds, and reservoirs are stocked with panfish, making them ideal locations for youth fishing. Additionally, youth fishing events and programs are often held throughout the state, providing opportunities for young anglers to learn about fishing techniques and conservation practices.

Panfish fishing in Kansas allows young anglers to develop a lifelong love for the sport while enjoying the beauty of the state's waters. Whether it's catching bluegill, exploring the habitat of redear sunfish, or encountering the tenacious green sunfish, Kansas panfish fishing provides an exciting and educational experience for youth anglers.

Panfish & Perch Fishing Lakes

If you want to catch a bunch of panfish for a fish fry your best bet may be one of the larger lakes. These include Big Hill Lake, Cedar Bluff Lake, Cheney Reservoir, Clinton Lake, Coffey County Lake, Council Grove Lake, El Dorado Lake, Elk City Lake, Fall River Lake, Hillsdale Lake, John Redmond Reservoir, Kanopolis Lake, Keith Sebelius Lake, Kirwin Reservoir, La Cygne Lake, Lovewell Reservoir, Marion Reservoir, Melvern Lake, Milford Lake, Perry Lake, Pomona Lake, Toronto Lake, Tuttle Creek Lake, Waconda Lake, Webster Reservoir, Wilson Lake, Winfield City Lake and Wolf Creek Reservoir.

Top Producing Panfish Lures & Bait

Check out the top producing lures and bait for bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass and warmouth, as well as other smaller sunfish. Click here for the best lures for white bass, yellow bass, white perch and yellow perch.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Kansas State Record Sunfish

The state record bluegill was caught from a farm pond.

The state record green sunfish came from a farm pond.

The state record hybrid sunfish came from a farm pond.

The state record redear sunfish came out of Finney Wildlife Area.

The state record warmouth came out of Mined Land WA #7.

The state record white bass is from the river above John Redmond Lake.

The state record yellow perch was caught in a Coffey County farm pond.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Kansas, and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, insects, crustaceans and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves, for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish

The list of sunfish, or panfish, is comprised of many fishes each called by a variety of names. The bluegill tops the list and is the most common.

Bluegill Fishing Basics Video

The core principles shown in this video will work for most sunfish, perch and other panfish.

Panfish are prolific spawners and repopulate the waters as fast as they are harvested. A common problem with panfish fishing is that the waters are under-fished causing panfish to overpopulate. As a result they tend to stay small in size due to lack of food source.

Sunfish information in other states.