Fishing

Three large lakes within 40 to 50 miles of Hays provide some of the best fishing in the state of Kansas. Fishing in northwest Kansas has something for everyone. From winding creeks and streams, to big water reservoirs stocked with a variety fighting game fish, our area has it all. The three largest lakes near Hays include: Cedar Bluff Reservoir, which is know for its bass fishing, Wilson Lake, which is one of the deepest and clearest lakes in the area, and Webster Reservoir, which is north of Hays nestled in the Solomon Valley. These lakes provide excellent crappie fishing as well as white bass, walleye and channel cat fishing. Reservoirs in northwest Kansas were restored to normal levels in the early 1990's after years of low water. The flooded timber and vegetation has provided excellent large mouth bass fishing as well as many other popular sport fish. Channel catfish are the most widespread in nearly every stream, reservoir and small ponds. For more information on fishing in Kansas, please visit the Kansas Department of WildLife and Parks Fishing website.

F.I.S.H. Program

Fishing Impoundment and Stream Habitats are a program designed to increase the fishing opportunities in Kansas. The Kansas F.I.S.H. program began in 1998, and provides access to over 50,000 Kansas farm ponds and 10,000 miles of fishable streams. Each year, more F.I.S.H. properties are added to the program to provide access for public fishing on private land from March 1 to October 31. Click here to download a free atlas showing the F.I.S.H. properties in Ellis County. For a free state wide F.I.S.H. atlas, contact the KWPA – 620-672-5911 or http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/fishing. Anglers must obey all Kansas fishing rules and regulations and respect the rights of the landowners and others using the area. F.I.S.H. areas are for fishing only. Other activities such as hunting, shooting, camping, horseback riding, fires, or dog training are prohibited. Hours are from sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

Other Smaller Lakes and Creeks

Other smaller lakes and creeks available for fishing within an hour of Hays include:

Big Creek

- 4 Acres
South Main (located in Frontier Park)
Hays, KS 67601
785-628-7377

Ellis Big Creek Lake

- 100 Acres
East 8th St.
Ellis, KS 67637
785-726-4812

Rooks State Fishing Lake

- 64 Acres
36 miles north of Hays, 2 ½ south and 2 miles west of Stockton

Plainville Township Lake

- 158 Acres
22 miles north of Hays, 2 miles west of Plainville

Stone Lake

- 25 Acres
24 miles south of Hays, 1 mile east of La Crosse

Hays Bass Anglers Association

Website

Fishing

Kansas Wildlife and Parks Office

Cedar Bluff State Park

Webster State Park

Wilson State Park