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Fishing in Kansas

Find fishing spots near you with Fishbrain's interactive crowd-sourced map

Top fishing waters in Kansas

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Milford Lake

Kansas, United States

4.7
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Republican River

Kansas, United States

4.5
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Lake Shawnee

Kansas, United States

4.2
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Shawnee Mission Lake

Kansas, United States

4.2
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Clinton Lake

Kansas, United States

4.3
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Rocky Ford

Kansas, United States

4.3
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Want trophy-size catches? These Kansas spots deliver

About Kansas fishing

Kansas offers bass, crappie, catfish, and walleye across numerous lakes and reservoirs. Year-round freshwater fishing opportunities make the state a reliable destination for anglers seeking both quantity and trophy-sized fish.

Kansas fishing license

Fishing in Kansas requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Resident and non-resident annual and short-term licenses are available online or at authorized retailers.

In Kansas, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 75 and older. Residents 65 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license

Top fish species caught in Kansas

Bass
Bass
Catfish
Catfish
Sunfish
Sunfish
Crappie
Crappie
Striped bass
Striped bass
Drum
Drum
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Biggest catches in Kansas

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

State records of caught fish in Kansas

SpeciesWeightBlue catfish102.5 lbsChannel catfish36.5 lbsLargemouth bass11.9 lbsBlack crappie4.7 lbsWhite crappie4.1 lbsBluegill2.4 lbs

Latest Kansas fishing reports

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Channel catfish

Miola Lake

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Largemouth bass

GEHS Pond

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Black bullhead

Cowskin Creek

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Largemouth bass

North Silver Spring Pond

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Bluegill

Tuttle Creek Lake

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Largemouth bass

GEHS Pond

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Largemouth bass

Milford Lake

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Channel catfish

Kingston Lake

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Channel catfish

Kingston Lake

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Freshwater drum

Republican River

22 in · 5 lb

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Fishing regulations in Kansas

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Kansas can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Channel catfish as of June 1st, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Channel catfish

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

10

No size limit. No closed season.

Statewide in Impounded WIFA Waters: 2 fish daily creel limit.

For site-specific regulations that apply in specified reservoirs, state fishing lakes, and community lakes, see

Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Channel Catfish by BlueGabe

Ictalurus punctatus

Regulations for

39°02′24″N 95°41′24″W
Regulations in the map
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FAQ about Kansas fishing

Fishing regulations in Kansas, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.
Some of the most popular species anglers target in Kansas, United States include Channel catfish, White crappie, and Black crappie. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.
Some of the most popular fishing spots in Kansas, United States include Milford Lake, Republican River, and Lake Shawnee. Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.
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Cities in Kansas
WichitaOverland ParkKansas CityTopekaOlatheLawrenceShawneeManhattanLenexaSalinaLeavenworthHutchinsonJunction CityLeawoodGarden CityDodge CityDerbyEmporiaPittsburgPrairie Village
Top fishing waters in the United States
Long Island SoundLake BalboaFox RiverPuddingstone ReservoirHorsetooth ReservoirLexington ReservoirShaver LakeLon Hagler ReservoirBuckroe Fishing PierCarter Lake ReservoirLake ErieLake LanierLake ConroeLake HartwellLake TexomaRocky RiverSebastian InletLake ForkSalmon RiverCape CodPopular Waters
Top regions in the United States
HawaiiRhode IslandNorth CarolinaConnecticutCaliforniaOhioNew JerseyFloridaSouth DakotaMontanaNew MexicoUtahMarylandMinnesotaIndianaTennesseeVirginiaColoradoMassachusettsMichiganPennsylvaniaArizonaTexasFishing spots near you