GENERAL INFORMATION

Spearfishing

Unless otherwise posted, spearguns, without explosive charge, may be used to take nonsport fish in waters posted “open to scuba and skin diving.” Spears must be attached to speargun or person by a line.

State Fishing Lakes

Motorboats may be used on state fishing lakes for fishing and hunting only, unless otherwise posted. Wading and float tubing in state fishing lakes is legal as part of fishing, hunting, bullfrogging, and trapping.

Fort Riley Fishing

The Fort Riley military installation or portions of it may be closed at any time, without prior notice, due to military activities. The military mission has precedence over the announced seasons. Fort Riley has 29 ponds and several streams that may be open to fishing. For more information, go to fortriley.isportsman.net or call (785) 239-6211. All individuals 16 and older are required to have a Visitor’s Access Pass to recreate on Fort Riley, which can be acquired at the installation’s Visitor Control Center, located just south of Henry Gate Access Control Point (Exit 301, I-70).

Online Fishing Reports

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has provided fishing reports to anglers for more than 25 years. Anglers can visit the KDWP website, ksoutdoors.com, click "Fishing," then "Fishing Reports." Scroll down to find the appropriate region of the state.

District fisheries biologists and department staff attempt to update fishing reports on individual lakes regularly whenever information is available. Reports are seasonal, usually starting in April and continuing through October. However, there may be times throughout the year when reports will be updated because new information is available or reports don’t change because new information is not available. In some instances, biologists are stationed a considerable distance away from a lake under their management and they may not have the latest information.

Before travelling a long distance to fish, it’s a good idea to check several sources for current lake information; call a local bait shop, state park office or local angler, in addition to checking the online fishing reports.