Best fishing lakes in Kansas: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Milford Lake

At some 15,700 acres, Milford Lake is a big lake. Walleye, white bass, crappie and catfish are the draw. The deepest water is around 65 ft.

Milford Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Perry Lake

Perry Lake covers some 11,100 acres. You will find it near Oskaloosa. It is the Delaware River behind Perry Dam. White bass, largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish are the draw. It goes down to about 43 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Perry Lake, completed in 1966 on the Delaware River, provides flood control and recreation in Jefferson County.

Perry Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Cedar Bluff Reservoir

Cedar Bluff Reservoir is a reservoir of some 6,870 acres. The lake is about 13 miles northeast of Ellis. Cedar Bluff Dam holds it on the Smoky Hill River. The fish here are smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish and crappie. At about 42 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Cedar Bluff Reservoir impounds the Smoky Hill River in Trego County, western Kansas.

Cedar Bluff Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Wilson Lake

Wilson Lake spreads over 9,040 acres of water. The lake is near Russell. Wilson Dam holds it on the Saline River. The fish here are smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie and striped bass. At about 65 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Wilson Lake is promoted by the Army Corps of Engineers as "the clearest lake in Kansas.". It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Wilson Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. El Dorado Lake

At 8,000 acres, El Dorado Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it within an easy drive of Wichita (about 30 miles). El Dorado Lake Dam holds it on the Walnut River. It holds catfish, trout, walleye and white bass. At about 60 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. El Dorado Lake on the Walnut River is Kansas's largest state park lake and is stocked with rainbow trout in winter.

El Dorado Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Waconda Lake

At 12,600 acres of water, Waconda Lake is a big lake. It lies about 11 miles east of Beloit. It is the Solomon River behind Glen Elder Dam. Catfish, crappie, striped bass and walleye are the draw. At about 55 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Waconda Lake is impounded behind Glen Elder Dam where the North and South Forks of the Solomon River meet.

Waconda Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Cheney Reservoir

Cheney Reservoir covers 9,550 acres of water. It lies within an easy drive of Wichita (about 24 miles). Cheney Dam holds it on the North Fork Ninnescah River. Expect catfish, crappie, striped bass and walleye. It goes down to about 42 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Cheney Reservoir on the North Fork Ninnescah River also serves as a drinking-water supply for Wichita.

Cheney Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Kirwin Reservoir

Kirwin Reservoir covers some 5,080 acres. You will find it about 8 miles northwest of Phillipsburg. It is the North Fork Solomon River behind Kirwin Dam. The fish here are crappie, catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 49 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Kirwin Reservoir on the North Fork Solomon River was the first Bureau of Reclamation project completed in the Missouri River basin.

Kirwin Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Kanopolis Lake

Kanopolis Lake is a reservoir of 3,410 acres of water. The lake is within an easy drive of Wichita (about 71 miles). Kanopolis Dam holds it on the Smoky Hill River. It holds catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and walleye. The deepest water is around 35 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Kanopolis Lake on the Smoky Hill River was the first federal reservoir built in Kansas.

Kanopolis Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. John Redmond Lake

At some 9,400 acres, John Redmond Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies about 2.9 miles southeast of Burlington. Catfish, crappie, walleye and white bass are the draw. It goes down to about 12 ft. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. John Redmond Reservoir is a large but shallow flood-control lake on the Neosho River in Coffey County.

John Redmond Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Clinton Lake

Clinton Lake spreads over 7,000 acres of water. You will find it about 5.9 miles northeast of Lawrence. It holds catfish and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 55 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Clinton Lake dams the Wakarusa River just west of Lawrence, Kansas.

Clinton Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Council Grove Lake

At some 3,240 acres, Council Grove Lake is a good-sized lake. The lake is near Council Grove. Expect catfish, crappie and white bass. It goes down to about 56 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Council Grove Lake dams the Neosho River near the historic Santa Fe Trail town of Council Grove.

Council Grove Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Which lake for which fish

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Bass: Perry Lake, Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Wilson Lake and Kirwin Reservoir
• Walleye: Milford Lake, Perry Lake, Cedar Bluff Reservoir and Wilson Lake
• Trout: El Dorado Lake
• Crappie: Milford Lake, Perry Lake, Cedar Bluff Reservoir and Wilson Lake
• Catfish: Milford Lake, Perry Lake, Cedar Bluff Reservoir and Wilson Lake

The fishing year

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually fair. Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Before you go

A Kansas fishing licence covers every lake here; the state fish and wildlife agency publishes the limits and any special rules lake by lake. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.