Fishing Guide - Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

STATE FISHING LAKES and OTHER WATERSBig Hill Wildlife Area – 6 miles E of CherryvaleBourbon – 4 miles E of ElsmoreCrawford – 9 miles N, 1 mile E of GirardFall River State Park Kids Pond – Fall River State ParkLyon – 5 miles W, 1 mile N of ReadingMarais des Cygnes Wildlife Area – 7 miles N of PleasantonMelvern River Pond – 1/2 mile S of Melvern ReservoirMined Land WA – Cherokee, Crawford & Labette countiesMontgomery – 3 miles S, 1 mile E of IndependenceNeosho – 6 miles S, 1 mile W of St. PaulNeosho Wildlife Area – 1 mile E of St. PaulOsage – 3 miles S, 1/2 mile E of CarbondaleRiverton - Empire Lake – SE of RivertonWilson – 1 mile S, 1 mile E of BuffaloWoodson – 5 1/2 miles E of TorontoCOMMUNITY LAKESRegion 5 contains the most large reservoirs of anyregion in the state, but heavy rainfall can cause dramaticfluctuations in lake levels. That said, lakes inthis region have excellent crappie and white bass potential.Like its counterpart Region 2 to the north, Region5 also boasts giant flathead catfish in both riversand reservoirs. (The world record flathead — a 123-pound behemoth — was taken from Elk City Reservoirin 1998.) Heavy-flowing rivers such as theCottonwood, Fall, Marais des Cygnes, and Neoshoprovide excellent flathead fishing and keep the manylakes and reservoirs full. White bass fishing in therivers above Fall River and Toronto reservoirs can bevery good during spring spawning runs. Public fishingfor paddlefish can be excellent at designatedareas in the Marais des Cygnes and Neosho rivers.Melvern and Pomona reservoirs, in the northernportion of Region 5, are known for excellent crappiefishing. Also in the northern portion of Region 5,John Redmond Reservoir offers good white bass andcatfish fishing. In the south, Elk City Reservoir offersexcellent opportunities for channel and flathead catfish,as well as saugeye. Nearby Big Hill Reservoiralso offers good bass and crappie fishing.The 5,100-acre Coffey County Lake, the coolinglake for Wolf Creek Generating Station, is known asone of the finest fisheries in the Midwest. Catfish(channel, blue, flathead), crappie, largemouth bass,smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, and wiper canall be caught here. Special length and creel limits producesome of the largest fish in the state. The warmwaterdischarge can provide excellent angling duringthe winter. The lake has special access restrictions, sophone ahead before planning a trip, (620) 364-2475.LaCygne Reservoir is also a power plant coolinglake, and this lake is consistently ranked as one of thebest trophy largemouth bass lakes in the state.This corner of Kansas includes nine reservoirs andfive state parks, as well as dozens of state fishing andcommunity lakes. Consult the associated tables formore detail on fishing for specific species.Acresboat rampsboat rentalcampingdrinking waterdump stationelectric hookupsmarinapicnic areasswimmingtrailer padscabins nearbyAdditional Local fees Req.bluegillblue catfishchannel catfishcrappieflathead catfishlargemouth bassredear sunfishsaugersaugeyesmallmouth bassspotted bassstriped basstroutwalleyewhite basswiper14103 > > > >1501> > > > > > > > >>1351,96790>>>>> > > >>> >1,500 > > >10592800140840110>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>180 > > > >Altamont City Lakes - Idle Hour Lake -East and West – 4 miles S of AltamontArma City Lake – Hookie Park, ArmaBlue Mound City Lake – 1 mile N, 2 miles W of Blue MoundBone Creek Lake – 7 miles N, 5 miles E of Girard34119540> > > > >>> > >27