Fishing Records

Kansas State Fish Records (Map)

December 6, 2022

It is clear that when it comes to fishing, Kansas has something to offer everyone. From the small sunfish that can be caught in farm ponds to the state record catches on reservoirs and rivers, there is no shortage of opportunities for anglers. And with careful conservation efforts, fishing enthusiasts are sure to have plenty of fish to catch for many years to come.

Where the Largest Fish in Kansas Have Been Caught

Explore the map below to see where anglers have caught the largest fish in Kansas over the the years.

Source.

The largest fish caught in Kansas was a Northern Pike, weighing 144 pounds and measuring 54 1/4 inches, caught at Council Grove Reservoir by Clinton Boldridge on May 5th 2004. This impressive catch is the current state record for fish size and weight. Over the years, anglers have caught many different species of fish from Kansas waterways, with a range of sizes and weights. Some notable examples include: the 31.5 pound Goldeye caught in Milford Reservoir by Ray Schroeder on May 21st 1974; the 63-pound Grass Carp caught at Atchison State Fishing Lake by Trey Patterson on June 8th 2019; and the 9.81-pound Blue Catfish caught in the Missouri River by Raymond Wait on November 13th 1998. Other notable species that have been caught include Trout, Walleye, Saugeye and Buffalo. With a wide range of fish in its waters, Kansas continues to be an ideal destination for fishing enthusiasts from all over the country.

Unlock the Great Outdoors

Why limit yourself to public land when there are millions of acres of private land to explore.

Largest Fish Caught in Kansas

Search:

Fish	Weight (lbs)	Length (inches)	Place	Angler	Date
1	Largemouth Bass	11.80	28.25	Private Pit Lake, Cherokee Co.	Tyson Hallam	May 3, 2008
2	Striped Bass	44.00	44.00	Wilson Reservoir	Paul Bahr	May 14, 2010
3	Wiper	25.00	33.50	Perry Reservoir Outlet	James M. Moore	August 8, 2010
4	Bass, Warmouth	1.11	10.50	Mined Land WA #7	Vivian A. Bradley	April 30, 1988
5	Sauger	4.80	23.75	Melvern Reservoir	Jimmy Barnes	November 29, 1996
6	Perch, Yellow	1.46	13.66	Farm Pond, Sherman County	Tami Sanderson	February 20, 2022
7	Catfish, Channel	36.50	38.00	Mined Land, WA-Cherokee Co.	RickBarnow	June 3, 2003
8	Catfish, Bullhead	7.33	24.50	Farm Pond, Montgomery County	David A. Tremain	May 15, 1985
9	Crappie, Black	4.63	22.00	Woodson State Fishing Lake	Hazel Fey	October 21, 1957
10	Sunfish, Hybrid (Green/ Bluegill)	2.65	13.38	Farm Pond	Ron Fountain	May 17, 1999
11	Bluegill	2.65	13.38	Farm Pond, Scott County	Ron Fountain	May 17, 1999
12	Buffalo, Smallmouth	2.31	11.00	Farm Pond, Douglas County	Robert Jefferies	May 26, 1962
13	Drum	51.00	41.00	Blue River, Riley Co.	Scott Butler	May 2, 1979
14	Gar, Spotted	31.50	40.13	Chetopa Dam	Bill Hull	September 2, 2008
15	Gar, Longnose	7.75	33.50	Perry Reservoir outlet	Charles Harbert	May 13, 1983
16	Goldeye	31.50	0.00	Milford Reservoir	Ray Schroeder	May 21, 1974
17	Eel, American	2.25	17.75	Kansas River	Mike Augustine	June 19, 1980
18	Trout, Rainbow	4.44	35.25	Kill Creek Park Lake	Ralph B. Westerman	June 23, 1987
19	Spotted Bass (Kentucky)	15.72	28.50	Marion County Lake	Josh McCullough	February 23, 2014
20	Smallmouth Bass	4.44	18.50	Milford Reservoir	Clarence E. McCarter	April 16, 1977
21	White Bass	6.88	21.50	Rvr. above John Redmond	Frank Evans Jr.	April 4, 2010
22	Walleye	5.67	20.38	Wilson Reservoir	Marvin W. Gary	April 11, 2002
23	Saugeye	13.16	29.00	Sebelius Reservoir	Dustin Ritter	April 17, 1996
24	Catfish, Blue	9.81	28.50	Missouri River	Raymond Wait	November 13, 1998
25	Catfish, Flathead	102.80	56.75	Elk City Reservoir	Robert Stanley	August 11, 2012
26	Crappie, White	123.00	61.00	Farm Pond, Greenwood County	Ken Paulie	May 14, 1998
27	Sunfish, Green	4.02	17.50	Farm Pond	Frank Miller	March 30, 1964
28	Sunfish,Redear	4.02	17.50	Finney Wildlife Area	Frank Miller	March 30, 1964
29	Buffalo, Bigmouth	2.36	11.50	Cheney Reservoir	Fae Vaupel	September 26, 1982
30	Carp	1.69	11.75	Carey Park (Hutchinson)	Larry Fox	July 4, 1995
31	Grass Carp	62.50	45.75	Atchison State Fishing Lake	Trey Patterson	June 8, 2019
32	Gar, Shortnose	47.10	40.25	Delaware River above Perry Lake	Phil McAmis	June 10, 1997
33	Shovelnose Sturgeon	77.75	45.75	Lovewell Reservoir	Kenneth Mosby JR	September 30, 2012
34	Paddlefish	9.64	35.50	Atchison Co. Pond	Kevin Dishong	July 1, 2017
35	Trout, Brown	5.23	35.50	Kanopolis Reservoir Seep Stream	Edwin P. Hood	July 4, 1999
36	Pike, Northern	144.00	54.25	Council Grove Reservoir	Clinton Boldridge	May 5, 2004

Learn more about fishing in Kansas.

Wing It

We are a group of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts that have come together to help improve access to private land through the shared economy in ways that benefit everyone.

Like this article?

Fishing

Do You Need a License to Fish on Private Property?

We all know fishing isn’t just a hobby. The excitement you get when you hook a fish on your line is like nothing else! But

June 16, 2023

Landowner

Wildlife Habitat Conservation: Preserving Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

Wildlife habitat conservation plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, preserving ecological balance, and ensuring the long-term health of our planet. As human activities continue

May 24, 2023

Hunting

Raising Wild Pheasants: A Comprehensive Guide

Raising pheasants can be a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor for wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and landowners. By creating suitable habitats, implementing effective management strategies, and providing

May 23, 2023