8 public waters in the Southwest Kansas region — 1 lakes/reservoirs and 7 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.
Hamilton County, Kansas — Hamilton County State Lake is a 45-acre lake, managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: One of KDWP's ~40 State Fishing Lakes — small (50-300 acre) public lakes built and stocked by the state, one in most counties. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and often a stocked Saugeye or Wiper fishery. Free public access with a boat ramp; horsepower limits are common.
Spanning 447 miles across south-central Kansas, the Arkansas River is a classic Great Plains catfish destination, with Channel, Flathead, and Blue Catfish all present throughout its navigable reaches. White Bass and abundant Common Carp round out a fishery that rewards both deliberate targeting and opportunistic casting in this under-fished system.
Little Bear Creek runs 45 km through Stanton and Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, Kansas, North Bear Creek is a 27 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).
In Hamilton County, Kansas, East Bridge Creek is a 25 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).
In Hamilton County, Kansas, West Bridge Creek is a 20 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).
Grant, Hamilton and Stanton Counties, Kansas — Wolf 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 Hamilton County, Kansas, Syracuse Creek is a 6 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).
Across its mapped waters, Hamilton County holds 13 species on PiscaMaps, including Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Flathead Catfish, Common Carp, Smallmouth Bass, Redear Sunfish and Black 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.