Lovewell Reservoir, Kansas: Walleye Fishing, Camping & Visitor Guide

Way up on the Nebraska line in Jewell County, Lovewell is a quiet, border-country reservoir that anglers drive a long way for. Built in 1957 on White Rock Creek, this 3,000-acre lake has built a reputation as one of the better walleye and wiper waters in north-central Kansas, and it’s backed by a big, well-equipped state park – nine cabins, hundreds of campsites, a marina and a swim beach – plus a wildlife area that draws waterfowl and birders. It’s out of the way, and that’s the point.

This guide covers all of Lovewell – the walleye and wiper fishing, Lovewell State Park and its camping, the White Rock wildlife area, and the history nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.

Lovewell Reservoir at a glance

• Size: ~3,000 acres in Jewell County, north-central Kansas, just south of the Nebraska border
• Built: dam on White Rock Creek, completed in 1957 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (irrigation and flood control)
• Top fish: walleye, wiper, white bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, drum
• State park: Lovewell State Park – utility and primitive camping, nine cabins, a marina and a beach
• Nearby: the White Rock Wildlife Area and the Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site
• Known for: walleye and wiper fishing and a big, family-friendly state park

A border-country reservoir

Lovewell was built for water, not recreation – the Bureau of Reclamation dammed White Rock Creek in 1957 to store irrigation water and tame floods on the Republican River system – but the fishing and camping turned it into a destination. Sitting right against the Nebraska border near the tiny towns of Webber and Formoso, it’s about as far from a Kansas interstate as a big lake gets, which keeps it uncrowded and quiet. The reward for the drive is clean water, good fishing and one of the more complete state parks in the western half of the state.

Fishing Lovewell Reservoir

Lovewell is a fishing lake first, and walleye and wiper (the white-bass/striped-bass hybrid) are the headliners – both are well managed here, and the lake’s brush piles concentrate them in spring and early summer. Behind them come white bass, crappie, and strong channel and flathead catfish, with drum and carp rounding out the list. Fishing is open year-round.

• Walleye: jigs tipped with minnows worked along the points, the dam and the marked brush piles produce, best at low light.
• Wiper & white bass: chase surface-feeding schools in open water on summer mornings and evenings.
• Crappie: fish the brush piles and timber in spring.
• Catfish: the flats and the creek arm produce channels and big flatheads.

Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the latest KDWP fishing report and limits before you go.

Is Lovewell safe to swim? Blue-green algae

Lovewell has a swim beach and is a popular summer lake, but like other fertile Kansas reservoirs it can develop blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in warm weather. KDHE posts Watch and Warning advisories; during a Watch, boating and fishing are fine but avoid swimming near visible scum, and during a Warning keep children and dogs out of the water. Check the current KDHE advisory before you swim.

Lovewell State Park and camping

Lovewell State Park is one of the better-equipped parks out here. It offers a deep range of sites – roughly 28 full-hookup, 90 water/electric, 36 electric and 240 primitive campsites – plus nine rental cabins, four shower/restroom buildings, year-round water hydrants, dump stations and two fish-cleaning stations. The Lovewell Marina on the northeast shore has a two-lane ramp and dock, and there are more ramps at Cedar Point and Oak Hill. The Pioneer day-use area adds a disc golf course, sand volleyball, basketball and horseshoes, and there’s a swim beach for hot afternoons. Reserve sites and cabins through the Kansas State Parks system, and remember the state-park vehicle permit.

The White Rock Wildlife Area and birding

The reservoir is wrapped by the White Rock Wildlife Area, several thousand acres of grassland, timber and marsh managed for wildlife and open to hunting in season. It’s a good spot for waterfowl and birding – warblers and sparrows in the timber, ducks and geese on the water during migration. Bring binoculars along with the tackle box.

Getting there and what’s nearby

Lovewell sits in far north-central Kansas near Mankato, the Jewell County seat, a long but scenic drive from Salina or Hastings, Nebraska. Just to the east, the Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site preserves the floor of a large 1820s Pawnee earthlodge village – a genuinely fascinating stop – and the big waters of Waconda Lake are within day-trip range to the south.

Know before you go

• State park permit: a Kansas state-park vehicle permit is required for Lovewell State Park (daily or annual).
• Fishing license: anglers 16-74 need a Kansas fishing license.
• Algae: check the current KDHE blue-green algae advisory before swimming, and avoid visible scum.
• Remote: stock up in Mankato or Superior, Nebraska – services at the lake are limited.
• Water level: as an irrigation reservoir Lovewell can drop in drought – check current conditions before launching.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Lovewell Reservoir?

About 3,000 acres, in Jewell County in far north-central Kansas, just south of the Nebraska border.

What fish can you catch at Lovewell Reservoir?

Walleye and wiper are the headliners, along with white bass, crappie, and channel and flathead catfish. Fishing is open year-round, and the lake’s brush piles concentrate fish.

Can you camp at Lovewell Reservoir?

Yes – Lovewell State Park has hundreds of campsites (full-hookup, water/electric, electric and primitive) plus nine rental cabins, a marina, a swim beach and a disc golf course.

Is there a marina at Lovewell Reservoir?

Yes – the Lovewell Marina on the northeast shore has a two-lane ramp and dock, with additional boat ramps at Cedar Point and Oak Hill.

Where is Lovewell Reservoir?

In Jewell County in far north-central Kansas, near Webber and Mankato, right against the Nebraska border.

Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Kansas – including nearby Waconda Lake (Glen Elder), plus Wilson Lake and Kanopolis Lake – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.