Fishing is available at public lakes and parks throughout the Wichita metro area. Fishing can be a Fun Family Activity that lets everyone get outside in nice weather, requires minimal equipment, and is practically free (outside of the cost of a fishing license and worms). Plus, those Kansas sunsets over lakes and ponds are the best!
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism stocks around 85 lakes in public fishing waters statewide as part of its Urban Fishing Program. This makes it easy and convenient to throw a pole and a little bit of tackle in the trunk and take off for an hour or two of fishing.
Some of the best Wichita fishing spots are also conveniently located in parks with other amenities, such as restrooms and playgrounds. Families with young children know how important that can be! We’ve noted those on our list below.
Where in Wichita Can You Fish?
- Chisholm Creek Park North
- Located across K-96 from the Great Plains Nature Center
- This is a smaller and quieter fishing lake.
- Chisholm Creek Park South
- Is Part of the Great Plains Nature Center
- This is a catch-and-release-only, artificial-lure-only. This park has a very nice paved walking path, and nearby green areas with picnic tables and public restrooms.
- Cowskin Greenway (Nellie’s Pond)
- 10516 W Central
- 3-acre pond that is stocked.
- K-96 Lake Park
- 3317 N. Hillside
- This 35-acre fishing pond is stocked approximately every two weeks with channel catfish, while other species such as largemouth bass, bluegill, wiper, and crappie reproduce naturally. This park has fishing docks and picnic tables.
- O.J. Watson Park
- 3022 S McLean Blvd
- Has 2 lakes stocked with trout, catfish, and bass. It also has lots of fun activities, playgrounds, picnic tables, and a concession stand that’s usually open on weekend afternoons (except during the winter). Public restrooms, too. Read our article about O.J. Watson Park and all it has to offer.
- South Lakes Park
- 55th St. South & Seneca
- Has a fishing dock and is part of the urban stocking program.
- Sedgwick County Park
- 6501 W 21at Street N
- This park has playgrounds, restrooms, picnic tables, paved walking paths, and more to keep the whole family occupied before, during, or after fishing! Fishing is available in the stream and the small lakes throughout the park. Some like the fishing docks, while other anglers prefer to find a flat spot of shore to fish from.
- KDOT West Lake
- NW of I-I35/I-235
- Is known for catfish and rainbow trout.
- South Lake
- 55th & Seneca
- This area had 3 fishing ponds, the largest of which was over 17 acres. known to have largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill.
- Buffalo Park
- 10201 Hardtner in West Wichita
- This is a smaller pond, but they also have a Splash Pad, playground, and picnic area.
Outside of Town Popular Fishing Destinations:
- Lake Afton in Goddard
- High Park in Derby
- McLaughlin Park in Valley Center
Who needs a fishing license in Kansas, and how much does one cost?
Kansas residents ages 16–74 need a fishing license unless exempt by law.
Kansas residents ages 15 and younger do not need a fishing license.
Kansas residents age 75+ can fish without a license.
Resident fishing licenses start at:
• $3.50 for a 1-day license
• $25 for a yearly license
• $100 for a 5-year license
Senior fishing licenses (65–74) are discounted:
• $15 yearly license
• $50 for a 5-year license
Non-resident licenses start at:
• $10 for a 1-day license
• $25 for a 5-day license
• $75 for a yearly license
Youth multi-year fishing licenses are available for ages 16–20, starting at $40
Free fishing licenses may be available for:
• Kansas National Guard members
• Disabled veterans
• Kansas resident American Indians
Lifetime fishing licenses are also available for Kansas residents
Some fishing activities require extra permits, including:
• Trout permit
• Paddlefish permit
• Three-pole permit
• Handfishing permit
Make sure to double-check prices below.
Also, the first full weekend in June is usually a FREE fishing weekend in Kansas. No license required!
Wichita City Ordinances on Fishing
Fishing shall be permitted only in the following areas (excluding, of course, privately owned property within the generally described areas and golf courses):
Little Arkansas River
Left and right banks (facing downstream) from Central Avenue to outflow into the Arkansas River. Right bank (facing downstream) from Bitting Street to Forest Street.
Arkansas River
Left and right banks (facing downstream) within the city limits, except the left bank (facing downstream) between Douglas Avenue and Lewis Street, and the right bank (facing downstream) between Seneca Street and 500 feet south of Harry Street.
Fishing from the following areas is prohibited:
- Second Street Bridge
- Douglas Avenue Bridge
- Lewis Street Bridge
- Nims Street Bridge
- Murdock Street Bridge
- Kellogg Overpass Bridge
Kansas State Fishing Lakes
• Atchison State Fishing Lake — Atchison County
• Barber State Fishing Lake — Barber County
• Bourbon State Fishing Lake — Bourbon County
• Brown State Fishing Lake — Brown County
• Chase State Fishing Lake — Chase County
• Clark State Fishing Lake — Clark County
• Cowley State Fishing Lake — Cowley County
• Crawford State Fishing Lake — Crawford County
• Douglas State Fishing Lake — Douglas County
• Geary State Fishing Lake — Geary County
• Jewell State Fishing Lake — Jewell County
• Kiowa State Fishing Lake — Kiowa County
• Leavenworth State Fishing Lake — Leavenworth County
• Lyon State Fishing Lake — Lyon County
• McPherson State Fishing Lake — McPherson County
• Meade State Fishing Lake — Meade County
• Middle Creek State Fishing Lake — Labette County
• Miami State Fishing Lake — Miami County
• Montgomery State Fishing Lake — Montgomery County
• Nebo State Fishing Lake — Morris County
• Neosho State Fishing Lake — Neosho County
• Osage State Fishing Lake — Osage County
• Ottawa State Fishing Lake — Ottawa County
• Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 1 — Pottawatomie County
• Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2 — Pottawatomie County
• Pratt County Lake / Pratt State Fishing Lake — Pratt County
• Rooks State Fishing Lake — Rooks County
• Scott State Fishing Lake — Scott County
• Shawnee State Fishing Lake — Shawnee County
• Sheridan State Fishing Lake — Sheridan County
• Sherman State Fishing Lake — Sherman County
• Stevens State Fishing Lake — Stevens County
• Washington State Fishing Lake — Washington County
• Wilson State Fishing Lake — Wilson County
• Woodson State Fishing Lake — Woodson County
Additional popular Kansas fishing lakes often included in state fishing lake listings and regional resources:
• Bone Creek Lake — Crawford County
• Banner Creek Reservoir — Jackson County
• Lake Afton — Sedgwick County
• Jeffrey Energy Center Lakes — Pottawatomie County
• Mined Land Wildlife Area Lakes — Cherokee County
• Wichita KDOT Borrow Pit — Sedgwick County
• Chisholm North Lake — Sedgwick County
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has a downloadable map with information on Wichita-area ponds and lakes open to fishing.
There are also other smaller community and neighborhood ponds in the city limits that usually do offer fishing. Just be sure to ask for permission before you fish!
