Keith Sebelius Lake is a small northwest-Kansas reservoir with an outsized personality. Out near Norton on Prairie Dog Creek, this 2,180-acre lake is the centerpiece of Prairie Dog State Park – the only state park in Kansas where you can watch a working prairie-dog town, tour the last original adobe house standing in the state, and step inside an 1886 one-room schoolhouse, all in the same afternoon. It’s also a genuinely good year-round fishery for walleye, wiper and saugeye. For a quirky, kid-friendly, off-the-beaten-path Kansas weekend, it’s hard to beat.
This guide covers all of Keith Sebelius Lake – the fishing, the prairie dogs and historic buildings, the camping, and the practical details. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Keith Sebelius Lake at a glance
- The lake named for a congressman
- Prairie dogs, an adobe house and a one-room school
- Fishing Keith Sebelius Lake
- Water level and blue-green algae
- Camping and recreation
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Know before you go
- Frequently asked questions
- What is Prairie Dog State Park known for?
- What fish can you catch at Keith Sebelius Lake?
- Can you camp at Keith Sebelius Lake?
- Is the Keith Sebelius Lake the same as Norton Reservoir?
- Where is Keith Sebelius Lake?
Keith Sebelius Lake at a glance
- Size: ~2,181 acres at full pool with about 32 miles of shoreline; maximum depth ~42 feet
- Location: Norton County, northwest Kansas, a few miles southwest of Norton
- Built: Norton Dam on Prairie Dog Creek, water storage began in 1964 (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation); renamed in 1981 for U.S. Representative Keith Sebelius, a Norton native
- Top fish: walleye, wiper, saugeye, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, largemouth and spotted bass, bluegill
- State park: Prairie Dog State Park – prairie-dog town, adobe house, 1886 schoolhouse, camping and a beach
- Known for: the prairie-dog town and historic buildings, plus walleye and wiper fishing
The lake named for a congressman
The Bureau of Reclamation built Norton Dam on Prairie Dog Creek and began storing water in 1964, creating the reservoir for irrigation and flood control on the dry northwest plains. In 1981 it was renamed Keith Sebelius Lake for the retiring congressman and Norton native (father-in-law of former Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius). Like other western Kansas reservoirs it lives and dies by the rain, so it can run low in drought – but the surrounding park and its odd, wonderful attractions make it worth the drive in any year.
Prairie dogs, an adobe house and a one-room school
This is what makes the park special. A short walk or drive takes you to a viewable black-tailed prairie-dog town, where the animals pop up, chirp and dive among their burrows – endlessly entertaining for kids. Nearby stand two preserved pieces of frontier Kansas: the Adobe House, a rammed-earth home from the 1890s and the last original adobe house still standing in Kansas (furnished to the period, open by appointment), and the Hillmon Schoolhouse, an 1886 one-room school. A 1.4-mile nature trail ties the park together. It’s a rare combination of wildlife and history you won’t find at the big reservoirs.
Fishing Keith Sebelius Lake
Don’t overlook the fishing – Keith Sebelius is one of the better small reservoirs in the northwest. Walleye, wiper and saugeye are the headliners, backed by crappie, largemouth and spotted bass, and good channel and flathead catfish, with bluegill for the kids. Fishing is open year-round, and there’s an accessible fishing dock at the park.
- Walleye, wiper & saugeye: work the points, the dam and the channel at low light; chase wiper schools in open water in summer.
- Crappie: fish brush and timber in spring.
- Catfish: the flats and the creek arm produce channels and flatheads.
Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the latest KDWP fishing report and limits before you go.
Water level and blue-green algae
As a western Kansas irrigation reservoir, Keith Sebelius can drop below conservation pool in drought, which limits boat-ramp access – check current conditions before towing a boat. And like other shallow, fertile prairie lakes it can develop blue-green algae blooms in summer; check the current KDHE advisory before swimming and keep pets out of visible scum.
Camping and recreation
Prairie Dog State Park has a full range of sites – around 40 water/electric, 18 electric and 130-plus primitive campsites, a reservable cabin, and a group campground in the Branded Cedar area – with modern showers, two dump stations, a swim beach and a fishing dock. For day use there’s a disc golf course, an archery range, sand volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, a playground and a big lake-view shelter. The surrounding Norton Wildlife Area (about 6,500 acres) is open to hunting and birding in season. Reserve sites through the Kansas State Parks system and remember the state-park vehicle permit.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Keith Sebelius is just southwest of Norton off U.S. 36 in northwest Kansas – a long haul from the cities, but an easy stop if you’re crossing the high plains. Pair it with the other northwest reservoirs – Kirwin and Webster – for a fishing-and-wildlife road trip.
Know before you go
- State park permit: a Kansas state-park vehicle permit is required for Prairie Dog State Park (daily or annual).
- Fishing license: anglers 16-74 need a Kansas fishing license.
- Adobe House: the historic adobe house is open by appointment – call the park office to arrange a tour.
- Water level & algae: check the current level (drought can limit ramps) and the KDHE algae advisory before you go.
- Prairie dogs: enjoy the town from a respectful distance – don’t feed or handle the animals.
Frequently asked questions
What is Prairie Dog State Park known for?
Prairie Dog State Park, on Keith Sebelius Lake near Norton, is known for its viewable black-tailed prairie-dog town, the last original adobe house standing in Kansas, and an 1886 one-room schoolhouse – plus camping and fishing.
What fish can you catch at Keith Sebelius Lake?
Walleye, wiper and saugeye are the headliners, along with crappie, largemouth and spotted bass, and channel and flathead catfish. Fishing is year-round.
Can you camp at Keith Sebelius Lake?
Yes – Prairie Dog State Park has about 40 water/electric, 18 electric and 130-plus primitive campsites, a reservable cabin and a group campground, plus a swim beach and fishing dock.
Is the Keith Sebelius Lake the same as Norton Reservoir?
Yes – the reservoir was originally Norton Reservoir (and is sometimes called Prairie Dog Lake). It was renamed Keith Sebelius Lake in 1981 for the Norton-native congressman.
Where is Keith Sebelius Lake?
In Norton County in northwest Kansas, just southwest of the town of Norton off U.S. 36.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Kansas – including the nearby northwest reservoirs Kirwin, Webster and Lovewell – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
