Tucked into a timbered valley in southeast Kansas, Bourbon State Fishing Lake is one of the prettier little lakes in the state’s fishing-lake system. The 103-acre lake sits in a deep valley of oak-hickory woods on Wolfpen Creek, about five miles east of Elsmore in Bourbon County, and it’s a genuinely good catfish-and-bass water with free primitive camping right on the shore. Wooded, quiet and uncrowded, it’s a classic Kansas backcountry fishing spot.
This guide covers Bourbon State Fishing Lake – the fishing, the camping, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Bourbon State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Fishing Bourbon State Fishing Lake
- Camping and access
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Bourbon State Fishing Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Bourbon State Fishing Lake?
- Is camping free at Bourbon State Fishing Lake?
- Where is Bourbon State Fishing Lake?
Bourbon State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Size: a 103-acre lake within about 380 acres of public land, 5 miles east of Elsmore in Bourbon County, southeast Kansas
- Setting: a deep valley of oak-hickory timber on Wolfpen Creek, a tributary of the Marmaton River
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Top fish: channel catfish, largemouth and spotted bass, big redear sunfish and black crappie
- Camping: free primitive camping along the south and west shoreline (picnic tables, grills, drinking water, vault toilets)
- Facilities: fishing piers, fish feeders, boat ramp and floating dock on the west side
Fishing Bourbon State Fishing Lake
For its size, Bourbon fishes very well. It carries a strong channel catfish population and good largemouth and spotted bass, and it’s especially known for oversized redear sunfish (shellcracker) and quality black crappie. The timbered shoreline and creek-channel structure give fish plenty of cover – work the standing timber and brush for crappie and redear, the points for bass, and the deeper basin for cats. Lake levels can be drawn down at times for habitat work, so check the latest KDWP report before a trip. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license.
Camping and access
One of Bourbon’s best features is free primitive camping in designated areas along the south and west shores, with picnic tables, barbecue grills, drinking water and vault toilets. Most of the development – fishing piers, fish feeders, the boat ramp and floating dock – is on the west side. It’s a back-to-basics, tent-and-truck kind of place rather than a developed campground. 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 about five miles east of Elsmore, within easy reach of Fort Scott and its historic frontier-fort national site. For bigger water in southeast Kansas, Big Hill Lake and Elk City Lake are both within day-trip range to the west.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Bourbon State Fishing Lake?
The lake is about 103 acres, set within roughly 380 acres of public land, 5 miles east of Elsmore in Bourbon County, southeast Kansas.
What fish can you catch at Bourbon State Fishing Lake?
Channel catfish, largemouth and spotted bass, big redear sunfish and black crappie. It’s especially known for oversized redear and good crappie.
Is camping free at Bourbon State Fishing Lake?
Yes – free primitive camping is allowed in designated areas along the south and west shoreline, with picnic tables, grills, drinking water and vault toilets.
Where is Bourbon State Fishing Lake?
In Bourbon County in southeast Kansas, about 5 miles east of Elsmore and within reach of Fort Scott.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like Big Hill and Elk City – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
