Fishing Regulations in Kansas
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Kansas fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Kansas requires a fishing license for anyone 16 to 74 years old. Residents 75 and older fish free. Licenses can be purchased online through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. A hand fishing permit is available for noodling. Free fishing days are offered in June.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | Some waters have 18-inch or slot limits. Check specific lake regulations. |
| channel-catfish | 10 per day | No minimum (15 inches on some waters) | Year-round | Combined with blue catfish daily limit on some waters. |
| flathead-catfish | 5 per day | No minimum | Year-round | Noodling (hand fishing) allowed with special permit. |
| walleye | 5 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | Some reservoirs have 18-inch minimum and 2 per day limits. |
| crappie | 50 per day | No minimum (10 inches on some waters) | Year-round | Very liberal limits on most waters. Some quality waters have reduced limits. |
| white-bass | 50 per day | No minimum | Year-round | Very liberal limits. Spring runs are the most popular time. |
| striped-bass | 2 per day | 21 inches minimum | Year-round | Includes hybrid striped bass. Limited waters stocked. |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Some waters have 18-inch or slot limits. Check specific lake regulations.
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum (15 inches on some waters)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Combined with blue catfish daily limit on some waters.
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Noodling (hand fishing) allowed with special permit.
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Some reservoirs have 18-inch minimum and 2 per day limits.
Bag Limit: 50 per day
Size Limit: No minimum (10 inches on some waters)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Very liberal limits on most waters. Some quality waters have reduced limits.
Bag Limit: 50 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Very liberal limits. Spring runs are the most popular time.
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: 21 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Includes hybrid striped bass. Limited waters stocked.
Top Fishing Waters
Milford Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: walleye, crappie, white-bass, channel-catfish, striped-bass
El Dorado Lake
reservoirSpecies: walleye, striped-bass, crappie, largemouth-bass
Glen Elder Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: walleye, white-bass, crappie, channel-catfish
Cheney Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: walleye, white-bass, crappie, largemouth-bass
Clinton Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, channel-catfish, walleye
Perry Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: crappie, channel-catfish, walleye, white-bass
Kansas River
riverSpecies: flathead-catfish, blue-catfish, channel-catfish, carp, sauger
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 11 lbs 12 oz | 1977 | Woodson County State Lake |
| Channel Catfish | 36 lbs 8 oz | 1962 | Melvern Reservoir |
| Flathead Catfish | 123 lbs | 1998 | Elk City Reservoir |
| Blue Catfish | 102 lbs 8 oz | 2005 | Milford Reservoir |
| Walleye | 13 lbs | 1984 | Cheney Reservoir |
| Crappie | 4 lbs 10 oz | 1964 | Private Lake |
| White Bass | 5 lbs 13 oz | 1998 | Cheney Reservoir |
| Striped Bass | 44 lbs 4 oz | 2003 | Wilson Reservoir |