Fishing in Sedgwick County
Fishing Lakes
If your favorite outdoor activity includes a fishing pole, there’s much for
you to do in Sedgwick County. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
stocks 26 ponds and lakes in Sedgwick County during the summer months. The most
common species stocked are the largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.
Lake Afton, the largest fishing spot in the County, produces some of the state’s
largest flathead catfish.
Obey messages that are posted and never take fish from one body of water to another. Fish from the majority of Sedgwick County waters are safe to eat. Fish consumption advisories can be found on the KDWP Web site at www.kdwp.state.ks.us.
White Perch
It is now illegal to possess live white perch! White perch are an invasive
species that were accidentally introduced to area lakes. They out compete native
fishes for food and space and have been associated with the decline of walleye
and white bass. White perch are present in Cheney Reservoir, the Ninnescah and
Arkansas Rivers, Lake Afton, and Sedgwick County Park Lakes. If you catch a
white perch, do not release them back into the water. Eat or dispose of them on
dry ground or in the trash. Check park rules for specific directions.
Zebra Mussels
We need your help! Zebra mussels are invading the waters of Kansas. Adult zebra
mussels are usually the size of a fingernail and commonly have alternating dark
and light stripes. They reproduce rapidly and form thick mats that encrust on
anything in the water. They damage boats, ruin engines, clog pipes and screens,
and are disrupting ecosystems.
Zebra mussels are spread by boat hulls, in water, and on aquatic plants. Please
check your boat and all equipment before entering and after exiting the water.
Remove all aquatic plants. Drain water from all equipment including bait buckets
and coolers. Wash equipment with 140-degree water (your local car wash hot water
rinse), or a 10 percent chlorine bleach and water solution. A hot saltwater
solution will also work. Dry everything for at least five days. Dispose of
unwanted live bait on dry shore or in the trash.
Zebra mussels have been found at Cheney Reservoir, Lake Afton and El Dorado Lake.
Fishing Licenses
Anyone over 16 years of age needs to obtain a Kansas fishing license, available through the Sedgwick County Clerk's office. Kansans over 65 can obtain a seniors honorary hunting and fishing license, as well as a seniors parks permit, from the county clerk.
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