Kansas Fishing Season and Limits for 2025–2026 by Month – Species, Licenses & Hotspots
Imagine this: The sun is just beginning to rise over Milford Lake on an early Saturday morning in Kansas. You’ve got your tackle box ready, your cooler’s filled with fresh drinks, and you’re about to cast your first line into waters that are home to everything from trophy walleye to feisty crappie. But hold on, are you aware of the current bag restrictions? Are you fishing at the appropriate time of year? Did you grab that trout permit?
Whether you’re a longtime Kansan who’s been wetting a line since you could wield a rod or a visiting angler looking to experience the Sunflower State’s freshwater wonders, this guide has you covered. With more than 50 state fishing lakes, 24 federal reservoirs, and innumerable rivers and streams, Kansas provides year-round fishing options. Let’s explore all the information you require regarding the 2025–2026 season!
🌊 What Makes Kansas Fishing Special?
When considering top fishing spots, Kansas may not be the first state that springs to mind, but that is precisely what makes it such a hidden treasure. From hard-fighting wipers (white bass/striped bass hybrids) to enormous blue catfish weighing over 100 pounds, the state’s varied water areas are home to an astounding array of sport fish. Recent years have seen record-breaking catches, including a massive 121.1-pound blue catfish hauled from the Missouri River!
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks actively manages these waters through stocking programs, habitat improvements, and science-based regulations designed to maintain healthy fish populations. Most Kansas waters are open for angling year-round, with the notable exception of the special trout program that runs from December through March.
📅 Quick Reference: Kansas Fishing Calendar 2025–2026
Here’s a snapshot of the major seasons and regulations you’ll encounter:
| Species/Program | Season Dates | Daily Creel Limit | Length Requirement | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (Stocked Waters) | Dec 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 | 5 fish | No minimum | Trout permit required ($14.50 adult) |
| Bass (Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted) | Year-round | 5 fish | 15 inches minimum | Single species or combination |
| Walleye/Sauger/Saugeye | Year-round | 5 fish | 15 inches (reservoirs only) | No length limit in rivers/streams |
| Crappie (White/Black) | Year-round | 50 fish | No minimum | Single species or combination |
| Channel Catfish | Year-round | 10 fish | No minimum | Most popular catfish species |
| Blue Catfish | Year-round | 5 fish | No minimum | Trophy potential at major reservoirs |
| Flathead Catfish | Year-round | 5 fish | No minimum | Handfishing permitted June 15–Aug 31 |
| Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) | Year-round | 5 fish | No minimum | Excellent fight, great table fare |
| Striped Bass | Year-round | 5 fish | No minimum | Check individual lake regulations |
| Paddlefish | Mar 15 – May 15 | 2 fish | No minimum | Permit required ($12.50), snagging only |
| White Bass | Year-round | No limit | No minimum | Spring spawning runs are legendary |
| Bullfrogs | Jul 1 – Oct 31 | 8 daily / 24 possession | N/A | Valid fishing license required |
Important: Individual reservoirs and lakes may have different regulations than statewide limits. Always check specific water body regulations before fishing!
🐟 Popular Sport Fish: What’s Biting & When
Largemouth Bass 🎣
Largemouth bass are the bread and butter of Kansas sport fishing. These aggressive predators thrive in reservoirs, state fishing lakes, and community ponds across the state. The action heats up in spring (April–June) when bass move shallow to spawn, making them more accessible to bank anglers and easy targets for topwater lures.
Best Times: Spring (spawning) and fall (feeding before winter)
Top Waters: El Dorado Lake, Clinton Lake, Milford Lake, Cheney Reservoir
Regulations: 5 fish daily limit, 15-inch minimum length
Pro Tip: Focus on rocky points, submerged timber, and weed edges during summer months when bass go deeper.
Walleye, Sauger & Saugeye 🐠
These cousins are prized for their delicate, flaky meat and the challenge they present to anglers. Walleye in particular have a cult following in Kansas, with the state’s larger reservoirs producing impressive fish in the 5–10 pound range regularly.
Best Times: Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November)
Top Waters: Milford Lake (the crown jewel), Kanopolis Reservoir, Tuttle Creek Lake
Regulations: 5 fish daily, 15-inch minimum in reservoirs (no length limit in rivers/streams)
Techniques: Jigs with minnows, bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers, or trolling crankbaits along channel ledges.
Crappie (White & Black) 🐟
If you’re looking to fill the cooler, crappie fishing is where it’s at. With a generous 50-fish daily limit and year-round open season, these panfish provide outstanding action, especially during their spring spawning period.
Best Times: March through May (spawning), and late fall
Top Waters: Scattered throughout the state; nearly every lake has good crappie populations
Regulations: 50 fish daily, no size limit
Hot Tip: Target submerged brush piles, boat docks, and standing timber in 6–15 feet of water using small jigs or live minnows.
Catfish (Channel, Blue & Flathead) 🦈
Kansas is serious catfish country. The state record blue catfish was caught in 2025 at an astounding 121.1 pounds! All three major catfish species provide year-round action and excellent table fare.
Channel Catfish:
- Daily Limit: 10 fish
- Most abundant and accessible species
- Found in virtually every water body
Blue Catfish:
- Daily Limit: 5 fish
- Can reach trophy sizes (50+ pounds)
- Best in larger reservoirs and the Missouri/Kansas Rivers
Flathead Catfish:
- Daily Limit: 5 fish
- Prefer live bait (sunfish, goldfish)
- Handfishing (noodling) allowed June 15–Aug 31 with special permit ($27.50)
Best Times: Summer months (June–August) for consistent action
Top Waters: Missouri River, Kansas River, Wilson Lake, John Redmond Reservoir
Wipers (Hybrid Striped Bass) 💪
These hard-fighting hybrids are a cross between white bass and striped bass, and they’ve become one of Kansas’s most sought-after gamefish. They grow fast, fight hard, and taste great!
Best Times: Spring and fall; early morning and evening during summer
Top Waters: Cheney Reservoir, Wilson Lake, Cedar Bluff Reservoir
Regulations: 5 fish daily, no size limit
Tactics: Cast spoons, swimbaits, or crankbaits to surface-feeding schools; trolling is also effective.
🦞 Specialty Species & Unique Opportunities
Rainbow & Brown Trout 🌈
Kansas isn’t traditionally trout country, but the state’s winter trout program creates excellent cold-water fishing opportunities from December through March. Multiple urban lakes and ponds are stocked weekly, providing accessible fishing close to population centers.
Season: December 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Regulations: 5 fish daily, no size limit
Permit Required: Yes! Adult trout permit is $14.50; youth (15 and under) is $7.00
Stocked Locations Include:
- Shawnee Mission Park (Johnson County)
- Atchison City Lake #1
- Syracuse Sam’s Pond
- Meade State Fishing Lake
- Cimarron Grasslands Pits
- Hutchinson Carey Park Pond
Pro Tip: Check the official stocking schedule before heading out. Fish are stocked multiple times throughout the season, and the bite is hottest within a few days of stocking.
Paddlefish – The Living Fossils 🐋
Paddlefish are prehistoric-looking creatures with a distinctive paddle-shaped snout. These filter feeders can’t be caught on traditional bait or lures—you must snag them during their spring spawning runs.
Season: March 15 – May 15
Regulations: 2 fish daily, special paddlefish permit required ($12.50)
Legal Snagging Areas:
- Neosho River (Chetopa and Burlington city parks, Iola downstream from dam)
- Marais des Cygnes River (below Osawatomie Dam, Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area)
- Browning Oxbow Lake (Missouri River)
Important: Paddlefish must be kept whole with head and tail attached until processed for consumption. These ancient fish can exceed 50 pounds, making for an unforgettable experience!
White Bass – Spring Run Spectacular 🌊
While there’s no daily limit on white bass, the real draw is the legendary spring spawning runs. When water temperatures hit the mid-50s (typically April), massive schools of white bass surge up tributary streams to spawn, creating some of the fastest action you’ll find anywhere.
Best Times: April–May for spawning runs
Top Waters: Tuttle Creek tailwaters, Council Grove Reservoir, Perry Lake
No Limits: No creel limit or size restrictions
Tactics: Small jigs, inline spinners, or crankbaits. When you find a school, it’s non-stop action!
🐠 Panfish & Everyday Catches
Beyond the headline species, Kansas offers fantastic fishing for various panfish that provide great action for anglers of all skill levels, especially families with kids.
| Species | Daily Limit | Best Months | Top Techniques |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | No limit | May–July (spawning) | Small jigs, worms, crickets near shallow cover |
| Sunfish (various) | No limit | May–August | Live bait on light tackle around docks and weeds |
| White Perch | No limit | Year-round | Small jigs, minnows (invasive species—keep all you catch!) |
| Bullhead Catfish | No limit | April–September | Nightcrawlers or stink bait on bottom |
| Freshwater Drum | No limit | Year-round | Cut bait or crankbaits (underrated table fare!) |
Family-Friendly Note: These species are perfect for introducing kids to fishing. No size limits, generous bag limits (or no limits at all), and they’re willing biters!
🦆 Stocked & Managed Waters
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks operates an extensive fish stocking program to maintain healthy populations and create quality angling opportunities. Here’s what you need to know:
Community Fishing Lakes 🏞️
Kansas maintains over 50 community fishing lakes that are stocked regularly and offer convenient access with facilities like:
- Accessible fishing piers
- Parking areas
- Restrooms
- Picnic facilities
- Many are located near towns for easy access
These lakes are managed specifically for family fishing and typically have healthy populations of channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie.
Federal Reservoirs 🌊
The state’s 24 federal reservoirs are the big dogs of Kansas fishing. These large impoundments offer the best opportunities for trophy fish and support diverse fish communities:
Top 5 Reservoirs for 2025:
- Milford Lake – Largest in Kansas (15,700 acres), excellent walleye, white bass, crappie, and wiper fishing
- El Dorado Lake – Outstanding blue catfish, walleye, and white bass; watch for invasive white perch and zebra mussels
- Clinton Lake – Premier bass and crappie fishery near Lawrence; special blue catfish regulations
- Cheney Reservoir – Top wiper and white bass destination near Wichita
- Tuttle Creek Lake – Consistent walleye and catfish production with excellent spring white bass runs
Trout Waters 🎣
During trout season (Dec 1 – Mar 31), approximately 20–25 locations receive rainbow and brown trout stockings. The interactive trout stocking map shows all locations and estimated stocking numbers.
2025–2026 Estimated Total Trout Stocked: Over 150,000 rainbow and brown trout statewide
🌍 Public vs. Private Waters: Know Before You Go
Understanding water access rules in Kansas is crucial to staying on the right side of the law.
Public Waters ✅
Where you CAN fish without landowner permission:
- All federal reservoirs (managed by Army Corps of Engineers)
- State fishing lakes (managed by KDWP)
- Designated river access areas
- Community fishing ponds
- Wildlife management areas with water access
- Any navigable stream or river below the ordinary high-water mark (even if it flows through private property)
Kansas law recognizes that navigable waters are public resources. You can legally wade and fish below the high-water mark without trespassing, but you cannot access these areas by crossing private land without permission.
Private Waters ⛔
Where you NEED landowner permission:
- Private ponds and lakes
- Farm ponds
- Any water body entirely on private property
- Accessing public waters through private land
Pro Tip: Many Kansas landowners are friendly to anglers who ask politely for permission. A simple knock on the door and respectful conversation can open up fishing opportunities others never find. Always offer to share your catch or help with minor property maintenance as a thank-you!
Check Before You Go 🗺️
The Kansas Fishing Atlas provides detailed maps showing public access points, boat ramps, parking areas, and facilities for waters across the state. This free resource is essential trip-planning tool.
🎟️ Kansas Fishing License Guide: What You Need
Getting properly licensed is straightforward in Kansas. Here’s the complete breakdown:
Resident Licenses (Kansas residents ages 16–74)
| License Type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License | $25.00 | Valid for 365 days from purchase date |
| Multi-Year Youth License | Varies | Available for residents ages 16–20 |
| 5-Day License | $15.00 | Good for any 5 consecutive days |
| 1-Day License | $8.00 | Valid for single calendar day |
| Combination Hunt/Fish | $50.00 | Both hunting and fishing for one year |
| Lifetime License | Varies by age | One-time purchase, fish for life |
Non-Resident Licenses (ages 16+)
| License Type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License | $47.50 | Valid for 365 days from purchase |
| 5-Day License | $30.00 | Great for visiting anglers |
| 1-Day License | $15.00 | Perfect for quick trips |
Special Permits & Stamps 🏷️
Trout Permit:
- Adult: $14.50
- Youth (15 and under): $7.00
- Required to fish any trout-stocked water during Dec 1 – Mar 31
Paddlefish Permit: $12.50
- Required for paddlefish snagging season (March 15 – May 15)
Handfishing Permit: $27.50
- Required for noodling flathead catfish (June 15 – Aug 31)
Three-Pole Permit: $12.50
- Allows use of a third rod/reel (standard license allows two)
Who Fishes FREE? 🆓
You do NOT need a fishing license in Kansas if you are:
- Under age 16 (fish free anywhere, anytime!)
- Age 75 or older (Kansas residents only—you’ve earned it!)
- Fishing on Free Fishing Days (typically early June—check KDWP website for 2025 dates)
- Fishing a private pond not leased for public fishing (non-residents included)
- A Kansas resident with a permanent disability (special free license available)
Where to Purchase 📱
Online: Kansas Online Licensing System (instant license, available 24/7)
In Person: Sporting goods stores, bait shops, and license vendors statewide
By Phone: Call KDWP customer service during business hours
Important: Keep your license (physical or digital) with you while fishing. Game wardens actively patrol popular fishing areas, and fines for fishing without a license can be steep.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do kids need a fishing license in Kansas?
A: Nope! Anyone under 16 fishes free without a license. However, youth fishing for trout during trout season (Dec 1 – Mar 31) do need the $7 youth trout permit.
Q: Can I use live bait everywhere in Kansas?
A: Generally yes, but there are important restrictions. You cannot transport live fish or aquatic bait away from certain waters with invasive species (white perch, zebra mussels). These waters are clearly posted. Check individual lake regulations before transporting any live bait.
Q: Are night fishing and bowfishing allowed?
A: Night fishing is legal at most Kansas waters unless specifically posted otherwise. Bowfishing is permitted for rough fish species (carp, gar, buffalo, drum) and invasive species. You cannot bowfish for game fish like bass, walleye, or catfish. Check the regulations summary for the complete list of legal bowfishing targets.
Q: What waters are catch-and-release only?
A: Very few Kansas waters have catch-and-release-only regulations. However, some waters have slot limits that require releasing fish within certain size ranges. For example, some trophy bass lakes have protected slot limits to maintain larger fish populations. Always check specific lake regulations.
Q: How do I report a trophy catch or potential state record?
A: Contact your local KDWP fisheries biologist or the main KDWP office. The fish must be weighed on a certified scale, and you’ll need witness verification. Keep the fish on ice if you’re seeking official recognition. Current state records are posted on the KDWP website.
Q: Can I keep fish I catch and release them in my private pond?
A: No! Kansas law prohibits transporting live game fish from public waters to private waters without special authorization. This protects wild fish populations and prevents disease spread. You can, however, purchase fish from licensed aquaculture facilities for private pond stocking.
Q: What’s the difference between creel limit and possession limit?
A: Creel limit is the number of fish you can harvest in a single calendar day. Possession limit is the maximum you can have in your possession at any time (including at home in your freezer). In Kansas, the possession limit is generally three daily creel limits for most species.
🔗 Related Fishing Guides Worth Exploring
Planning to fish beyond Kansas? Check out our comprehensive guides for neighboring states:
- Looking for variety? Minnesota fishing seasons offer world-class walleye and muskie opportunities
- Winter ice fishing fan? Wisconsin’s fishing calendar covers both open water and hard water angling
For more diverse fishing content, visit our main fishing resources hub with species-specific guides, techniques, and regional reports.
🗺️ Top 5 Must-Visit Fishing Hotspots for 2025–2026
Based on fish populations, access, and angler success rates, here are the can’t-miss destinations:
1. Milford Lake (Junction City area)
The undisputed fishing capital of Kansas
- Species: Walleye, white bass, wiper, crappie, channel catfish, smallmouth bass
- Why Visit: Largest lake in Kansas with 15,700 surface acres and diverse structure
- Best Times: Spring for white bass runs; summer for wiper action; fall for trophy walleye
- Facilities: Multiple state parks, boat ramps, marinas, camping
2. El Dorado Lake (El Dorado)
Blue catfish heaven
- Species: Blue catfish (trophy size), walleye, white bass, crappie, wiper
- Why Visit: Consistently produces some of Kansas’s largest blue cats
- Best Times: Summer for catfish; spring for walleye and white bass
- Note: Contains invasive white perch and zebra mussels—do not transport water or live bait
3. Clinton Lake (Lawrence)
Close to Kansas City metro with excellent bass fishing
- Species: Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, blue catfish
- Why Visit: Clear water, great structure, convenient access from urban areas
- Best Times: Spring for bass spawning; fall for crappie
- Bonus: Beautiful scenic area with hiking trails
4. Cheney Reservoir (Wichita area)
Wiper wonderland
- Species: Wiper, white bass, walleye, crappie, catfish
- Why Visit: Top wiper fishing in the state with aggressive surface-feeding schools
- Best Times: Spring and fall; early mornings in summer
- Access: Easy day-trip from Wichita
5. Kansas River (Topeka to Kansas City)
Blue catfish trophy waters
- Species: Blue catfish (100+ pounds possible), flathead catfish, channel catfish
- Why Visit: Free-flowing river with record-class catfish
- Best Times: Summer through early fall
- Techniques: Cut bait or live bait on bottom in deep holes and river bends
Interactive Map: Use the KDWP Fishing Atlas to explore these locations in detail and find boat ramps, parking, and facilities.
✅ Wrapping Up: Your Kansas Fishing Adventure Awaits!
Kansas might not make every “Top 10 Fishing Destinations” list, but those in the know understand what makes it special: uncrowded waters, diverse species, generous limits, and genuine Midwest hospitality. Whether you’re chasing trophy walleye at Milford, introducing your kids to panfishing at a community lake, or targeting prehistoric paddlefish during the spring run, Kansas delivers memorable experiences.