Barber State Fishing Lake sits right at the edge of Medicine Lodge in the strikingly scenic Gypsum Hills of south-central Kansas – red mesas, cedar canyons and big-sky country. The 77-acre lake is actually two connected basins, an upper and a lower, and it offers solid bass, catfish, walleye and crappie fishing plus a hunting area, all minutes from a historic frontier town. It’s an easy, rewarding stop in one of the prettiest corners of the state.
This guide covers Barber State Fishing Lake – the fishing, the hunting, the camping, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Barber State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Fishing Barber State Fishing Lake
- Hunting, camping and access
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Barber State Fishing Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Barber State Fishing Lake?
- Can you camp and hunt at Barber State Fishing Lake?
- Where is Barber State Fishing Lake?
Barber State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Size: 77 acres of water (an upper lake of 26 acres and a lower lake of 51 acres) within 113 acres of land, at the north edge of Medicine Lodge in Barber County, south-central Kansas
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Top fish: largemouth bass, channel catfish (stocked yearly), walleye, crappie and bluegill
- Facilities: two boat ramps (boats for fishing only), with camping and picnicking throughout the area
- Hunting: the northern 80 acres are open to public hunting for deer, turkey, quail, dove, waterfowl and rabbit
- Setting: the scenic Gypsum (Red) Hills
Fishing Barber State Fishing Lake
Barber’s two basins hold good populations of largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, crappie and bluegill, with channel catfish stocked each year to keep the fishing strong. The upper lake, created by a dike across the shallow end, adds variety. Work the shoreline and points for bass and walleye, brush for crappie, and the deeper water for catfish. Boats are for fishing only. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the current KDWP report before you go.
Hunting, camping and access
Camping and picnicking are allowed throughout the area, with two boat ramps for launching. The northern 80 acres are open to public hunting – deer, turkey, quail, dove, waterfowl and cottontail rabbit – making this a fish-and-hunt spot in season. As with any warm Kansas lake, watch for summer blue-green algae advisories and avoid visible scum.
Getting there and what’s nearby
The lake is on the north edge of Medicine Lodge, a historic town known for the 1867 Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty and as the home of temperance crusader Carry Nation. The surrounding Gypsum Hills – with their red buttes and scenic drives – are worth exploring. For bigger water, Cheney Lake lies northeast, and the Kingman State Fishing Lake and Byron Walker Wildlife Area are on the way there.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Barber State Fishing Lake?
About 77 acres total – an upper lake of 26 acres and a lower lake of 51 acres – at the north edge of Medicine Lodge in Barber County, south-central Kansas.
What fish can you catch at Barber State Fishing Lake?
Largemouth bass, channel catfish (stocked yearly), walleye, crappie and bluegill.
Can you camp and hunt at Barber State Fishing Lake?
Yes – camping and picnicking are allowed throughout the area, and the northern 80 acres are open to hunting for deer, turkey, quail, dove, waterfowl and rabbit.
Where is Barber State Fishing Lake?
In Barber County in south-central Kansas, at the north edge of Medicine Lodge, in the scenic Gypsum Hills.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby waters like Cheney and Kingman State Fishing Lake – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
