36 public waters in the Southeast Kansas region — 7 lakes/reservoirs and 29 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Kansas licence.
See every public fishing venue in Kansas on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Fort Scott Lake's 344 acres in Bourbon County blend classic Largemouth and Spotted Bass habitat with a robust catfish complex—Channel and Flathead both thrive here. White Bass and Crappie round out a southeast Kansas fishery suited to structure-anglers and dedicated catfishermen alike.
Lake Fort Scott, a 337-acre lake in Bourbon County, Kansas, managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: One of Kansas's big US Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoirs (Milford, Tuttle Creek, Perry, Clinton, Melvern, Pomona, John Redmond, Council Grove, Marion, El Dorado, Hillsdale) — the state's best all-round fisheries. Walleye and stocked Saugeye, White Bass and Wiper (Striped Bass hybrid) runs, largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, slab Crappie, and trophy-class channel, blue and Flathead Catfish. Big open water with a strong summer boating scene.
In Bourbon County, Kansas, Cedar Creek Reservoir is a 220-acre lake, managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Bourbon State Fishing Lake, a 92-acre lake in Bourbon County, Kansas, managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Elm Creek Lake, a 91-acre lake in Bourbon County, Kansas, managed by State Fish and Wildlife: One of Kansas's big US Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoirs (Milford, Tuttle Creek, Perry, Clinton, Melvern, Pomona, John Redmond, Council Grove, Marion, El Dorado, Hillsdale) — the state's best all-round fisheries. Walleye and stocked Saugeye, White Bass and Wiper (Striped Bass hybrid) runs, largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, slab Crappie, and trophy-class channel, blue and Flathead Catfish. Big open water with a strong summer boating scene.
Bourbon County, Kansas — Rock Creek Lake is a 69-acre lake, managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Hidden Valley Lake, a 65-acre lake in Bourbon County, Kansas, managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Bourbon and Allen Counties, Kansas, Marmaton River is a 112 km river or creek. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Little Osage River (83 km) flows through Bourbon and Allen Counties, Kansas. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
In Crawford and Bourbon Counties, Kansas, West Fork Dry Wood Creek is a 28 km river or creek. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Neosho and Bourbon Counties, Kansas — Flat Rock Creek is a 26 km stream: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Paint Creek runs 24 km through Bourbon and Crawford Counties, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Mill Creek (23 km) flows through Bourbon County, Kansas. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Cox Creek (17 km) flows through Crawford and Bourbon Counties, Kansas. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Bourbon and Crawford Counties, Kansas — Pawnee Creek is a 18 km stream: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
In Linn and Bourbon Counties, Kansas, Lost Creek is a 17 km river or creek. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Little Walnut Creek runs 17 km through Crawford, Bourbon and Neosho Counties, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Bourbon and Allen Counties, Kansas — Limestone Creek is a 17 km stream: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
In Allen and Bourbon Counties, Kansas, South Fork Little Osage River is a 14 km river or creek. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Shiloh Creek (13 km) flows through Bourbon County, Kansas. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Buck Run runs 12 km through Bourbon County, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Elk Creek (13 km) flows through Linn and Bourbon Counties, Kansas. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Moores Branch runs 12 km through Bourbon County, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Bourbon County, Kansas — Clever Creek is a 9 km stream: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Linn and Bourbon Counties, Kansas — Irish Creek is a 11 km stream: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
In Bourbon County, Kansas, Wolverine Creek is a 9 km river or creek. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Hinton Creek runs 8 km through Bourbon County, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Little Pawnee Creek runs 9 km through Bourbon and Crawford Counties, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
East Laberdie Creek runs 9 km through Linn and Bourbon Counties, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Tennyson Creek runs 8 km through Bourbon County, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Bourbon County, Kansas — Prong Creek is a 7 km stream: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
West Laberdie Creek (8 km) flows through Linn and Bourbon Counties, Kansas. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
In Bourbon County, Kansas, Little Mill Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Reagan Branch (7 km) flows through Bourbon County, Kansas. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Schubert Creek (7 km) flows through Bourbon County, Kansas. A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Opossum Creek runs 6 km through Bourbon and Linn Counties, Kansas: A Kansas river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at bridge crossings, KDWP access points and public parks (Kansas streambeds are private off federally-navigable reaches — see access rules).
Across its mapped waters, Bourbon County holds 23 species on PiscaMaps, including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Common Carp, Walleye and Crappie.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Kansas map Join PiscaMapsOne Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks fishing licence covers every public water in the state, the federal reservoirs and State Fishing Lakes included — the resident annual is about $29.50, the non-resident annual about $97.50, with non-resident 1-day and 5-day options. A separate ~$14.50 trout permit is required to keep trout at KDWP's winter community-lake put-and-take program. Kansas residents 75 and older need no licence, and anyone under 16 fishes free. Buy at ksoutdoors.com.