In the 1960s, Kansas built reservoirs to help with flood control, for water supply, and for recreation. Today, Kansas boasts 24 large reservoirs. These reservoirs range from 1,200 to 16,000 acres. Most of these offer park facilities for your enjoyment. The number one attraction at these reservoirs is fishing. Each reservoir offers its unique type of fish. The reservoirs located in the northeast are filled with white bass, channel catfish, and crappie. Those located in the southeast are home to largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, and catfish. The reservoirs in central Kansas are filled with white bass, striped bass, channel catfish, wipers, and walleyes. Finally, western reservoirs contain largemouth bass, wipers, crappie, and walleye.
Catfish Fishing In Kansas
Northeast Kansas covers 20 counties, including Flint Hills. The landscape of this area offers native tallgrass prairie that is protected by a layer of rock right below the surface of the soil. Flint Hills is home to the largest population of greater prairie chickens in the world, making it a true national treasure. It also boasts the last large area of unbroken tallgrass prairie in the United States. The northeastern portion of Region 2 is located in the glaciated physiographic region. It contains broad stream valleys, irregularly shaped cropland, and timbered hillsides. Hunters will enjoy the number of turkeys, deer, and quail in the area. Additionally, you will find several urban areas in this region, including five federal reservoirs and numerous smaller state and community lakes.
The Northwest Region of Kansas has 26 counties. This region includes the High Plains. The High Plains includes arid shortgrass prairie landscape. However, land usage and agriculture have dramatically changed the landscape. The mix of farmland and prairie is home to mule deer, pronghorn, and pheasants. Smoky Hills in this area, is a native prairie named after the Smoky Hill River that runs through the northern area of Kansas. Here, you will find the best pheasant hunting. This area also offers cultivated bottom areas and native grassland, which is home to a host of wildlife. Region 1 has eight federal reservoirs that provide fishing, boating, and hunting activities as well as state park locations.
The central region of Kansas features 13 counties and contains a number of physiographic landscapes, including Smoky Hills, Arkansas River Low Lands, Flint Hills, Red Hills, and the Wellington/McPherson Lowlands. Flint Hills is found in the eastern area of the region and offers tens of thousands of acres of tallgrass prairie. Additionally, this region is home to Wichita, the state’s largest metropolis. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy waterfowl, pheasants, quail, prairie chickens, turkey, and deer. Finally, the central region of Kansas is home to four federal reservoirs.
The southeast region of Kansas is comprised of 18 counties. This area features the Osage Questas physiographic region that is characterized by heavily timbered bottomlands, limestone bluffs, and rolling grasslands. The far eastern area of the state gets more than twice the annual rainfall as the western half of the state. The vegetation in this region is lush and dense. The Chautauqua Hills, a small area of the Ozark Plateau, and the Cherokee Lowlands are found in this area. Deer, quail, and turkey thrive in this area because of the unique mixture of native grasses and hardwood timber. The southeast region of Kansas is home to nine reservoirs, five state parks, and numerous state and community fishing lakes.
The flora and fauna of Kansas are ripe with wildlife, making it a hunter’s paradise. For those who prefer fishing, Kansas offers 24 large federal reservoirs along with many community and state lakes. Photography enthusiasts along with nature lovers will enjoy traversing across the different physiographic regions of the state where they will encounter prairie grasslands, fertile farmland, beautiful valleys, limestone bluffs, and heavily timbered plateaus. As you can see, Kansas is filled with natural wonders that will delight its visitors.