We know what you’re thinking: trout in Kansas? Impossible. But, it’s true. While these spotted beauties may not be native to the Sunflower state, that doesn’t mean anglers fishing in Kansas can’t enjoy luring one ashore this winter. Thanks to a special program offered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, anglers can catch stocked rainbow trout at more than 30 public waters across the state. Trout are stocked in a total of 33 spots during the trout season, which is open through April 15. Waters are categorized as Type 1, which require all anglers to possess a $14.50 trout permit, and Type 2, which require only those fishing for or possessing trout to purchase the permit. The $14.50 permit is valid for the calendar year and can be purchased wherever licenses are sold and online at ksoutdoors.com. In addition to the trout permit, resident anglers age 16-74 and nonresidents 16 and older must also have a fishing license. Unless posted otherwise, the daily creel limit is 5 trout. Anglers 15 and younger do not need a trout permit, but they may only keep two trout per day.
TYPE 1 WATERS: TROUT PERMITS REQUIRED OF ALL ANGLERS
- Cedar Bluff Stilling Basin
- Dodge City Lake Charles
- Fort Scott Gun Park Lake
- Glen Elder State Park (SP) Pond
- Kanopolis Seep Stream
- KDOT East Lake in Wichita
- Lake Henry in Clinton SP
- Mined Land Wildlife Area (WA) Unit #30
- Pratt Centennial Pond
- Walnut River Area in El Dorado SP
- Willow Lake at Tuttle Creek SP
- Webster Stilling Basin
- Sandsage Bison Range and WA Sandpits (Periodically Dry)
- Vic’s Lake and Slough Creek in Sedgwick County Park
- Topeka Auburndale Park
- Garnett Crystal Lake
TYPE 2 WATERS: TROUT PERMITS REQUIRED ONLY FOR TROUT ANGLERS
- Sherman County Smoky Gardens Lake (Periodically Dry)
- Solomon River between Webster Reservoir and Rooks County #2 Road
- Fort Riley Cameron Springs
- Lake Shawnee – Topeka
- Salina Lakewood Lake
- Moon Lake on Fort Riley
- Scott SP Pond
- Hutchinson Dillon Nature Center Pond
- Atchison City Lake # 1
- Belleville City Lake (Rocky Pond) (Periodically Dry)
- Holton-Elkhorn Lake
- Syracuse Sam’s Pond
- Cimarron Grasslands Pits
- Colby Villa High Lake
- Great Bend Vet’s Lake
- Meade State Fishing Lake
TROUT PERMIT REQUIRED YEAR-ROUND
- Cherokee County – Mined Land WA No. 30
*Because trout survive through the summer here, a trout permit is required year-round for anglers utilizing the lake.
Residents 16-74 years old, and all non-residents 16 and older must also have a valid fishing license. The daily creel limit is five trout unless otherwise posted. Anglers 15 and younger may fish without a trout permit, but are limited to two trout per day, or they may purchase a permit and take five trout per day. Possession limit for trout is 15.
For information on trout stocking schedules, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Fishing / Special Fishing Programs for You / Trout Fishing Program.”
