Trout Hotspots: Kansas' Best Trout Streams for 2024

Trout Hotspots: Kansas' Best Trout Streams for 2024KANSAS - While Kansas might be known for its wide-open prairies, the Sunflower State offers enjoyable trout fishing opportunities, primarily focused on stocked waters. Let's explore where to find your next Kansas trout.

Reel in a Catch: Your Guide to Kansas Trout Waters
Beyond the Plains: Discover Kansas's Trout Fishing Treasures

 Where to Cast Your Line in the Sunflower State


Stocked Waters: Your Main Focus

During the cooler months, Kansas trout fishing centers around heavily stocked streams, ponds, and lakes.

  • Hotspots:
    • Community Fisheries: Many cities and towns across Kansas stock trout in smaller lakes and ponds, providing accessible fishing near home.
    • Kanopolis Lake: This reservoir is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, offering boat and shore fishing opportunities.
    • State Parks: Several Kansas state parks offer stocked trout fishing, particularly during winter. Check the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website for a complete list of locations.
  • Tips: During the winter stocking season, focus on baits like corn, trout pellets, or PowerBait. More petite spinners, spoons, and flies can produce strikes as the season progresses.

Important Considerations

  • Seasonality: Trout fishing in Kansas is essentially a winter activity. Trout generally cannot survive the warmer summer water temperatures.
  • Regulations: Always consult the KDWP website for the most current trout fishing regulations, licensing requirements, and designated stocking locations: https://ksoutdoors.com/
  • Stocking Schedule: Kansas stocks its waters heavily during the winter. Target recently stocked areas for the best success, and check the KDWP website for stocking schedules.

Kansas Trout: A Wintertime Delight

Kansas might not offer year-round trout fishing or wild populations, but its winter stocking program provides a fun change of pace for anglers. If you're in the Sunflower State during the colder months, grab your rod and discover the joy of Kansas trout fishing!




Trout PlatePlease note:  There might be very few tiny, spring-fed streams with water temperatures cool enough to hold a limited number of trout year-round, but Kansas's trout fishing is generally restricted to its winter stocking program.