Kansas Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Kansas.
Cheney Reservoir
El Dorado Lake
Milford Lake
Perry Lake
Waconda Lake (Glen Elder)
More Kansas lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Cheney ReservoirSedgwick, Kingman & Reno Counties · 9,550 acres
Cheney Reservoir
A windy reservoir west of Wichita known for white bass, wipers, walleye and crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Wiper
Hybrid striped bass. Chase surface-feeding schools and points with wind.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the KDWP or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Cheney Reservoir are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- The Outpost at Cheney LakeNearby15541 NE 50 St, Cheney(316) 202-5333Directions ↗
- Dunham's Sports16.8 mi1500 East 11th Avenue, Hutchinson(620) 662-2274Directions ↗
Local tips
- Very windy. Fish the wind-blown shores.
- Cheney State Park has launches and a marina.
- Popular with sailors too.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
El Dorado LakeButler County · 8,000 acres
El Dorado Lake
A reservoir northeast of Wichita known for white bass, crappie and catfish, with flooded timber.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Wiper
Hybrid striped bass. Chase surface-feeding schools and points with wind.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the KDWP or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in El Dorado Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Bluestem Bait & General StoreAt lakeEl DoradoDirections ↗
- Bass Pro Shops22.7 miWichitaDirections ↗
- Scheels25.7 miWichitaDirections ↗
Local tips
- El Dorado State Park has launches.
- Flooded timber in the upper lake holds crappie.
- The Walnut River below the dam is a spring hot spot.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Perry LakeJefferson County · 11,146 acres
Perry Lake
A reservoir northeast of Topeka known for crappie, white bass and catfish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the KDWP or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Perry Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Rock Creek Marina and ResortNearbyPerry LakeDirections ↗
- Gone Fishin Bait and TackleNearbyPerryDirections ↗
Local tips
- Perry State Park has launches.
- Crappie stack on brush in spring.
- Levels change with flood control.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.