Centralia Lake is a small-town gem that fishes way above its size. A 400-acre city-managed lake in Nemaha County, deep in the rolling farm country of northeast Kansas, it’s quietly one of the best little fisheries in the state – the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks consistently rates it highly for channel catfish, saugeye and crappie. Add easy lakeside camping with electric pads and you’ve got a peaceful, no-frills fishing weekend an hour from anywhere. Anglers in the know make the drive.
This guide covers Centralia Lake – the fishing, the camping, and how to get there. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
Centralia Lake at a glance
- Size: about 400 acres, in Nemaha County, northeast Kansas, near the town of Centralia
- Managed by: the City of Centralia (fishery rated by KDWP)
- Top fish: channel catfish, saugeye, crappie, walleye, largemouth bass, plus carp for bowfishing
- Facilities: multiple boat ramps, camping pads (many with electricity), picnic tables, a concession (“the Lake Shack”)
- Known for: one of the best small fisheries in northeast Kansas and quiet camping
One of northeast Kansas’ best small fisheries
Don’t let the size fool you – Centralia punches well above its weight. KDWP regularly rates it among the better small lakes in the region for channel catfish, saugeye and crappie, and local anglers add good walleye, healthy largemouth bass and plenty of carp for bowfishers. The city manages it actively, and because it’s off the beaten path, it never feels crowded. It’s the kind of lake where a weekday evening can produce a cooler full of fish.
Fishing Centralia Lake
The headliners are channel catfish and saugeye, with strong crappie and walleye and a solid largemouth population. Work the points and the dam for saugeye and walleye at low light, find crappie on brush and structure in spring, and fish the flats and channel for catfish. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the latest KDWP report and any city lake rules before you go.
Camping and day use
Centralia Lake is a relaxed, affordable place to camp – camping pads with electric hookups, picnic tables and multiple boat ramps, with a small concession known as the Lake Shack. It’s lakeside, quiet and unpretentious: a great base for a fishing trip rather than a resort. As with any warm Kansas lake, watch for summer blue-green algae advisories and avoid visible scum. Check with the City of Centralia for current camping fees and rules.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Centralia Lake is just outside Centralia in Nemaha County, an easy drive north of Manhattan and the K-State area. For bigger water nearby, Tuttle Creek Lake is a short drive south, and Milford and Perry round out a northeast-Kansas lake tour.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Centralia Lake?
About 400 acres, a city-managed lake in Nemaha County in northeast Kansas near the town of Centralia.
What fish can you catch at Centralia Lake?
Channel catfish, saugeye and crappie are the standouts – KDWP rates the lake highly for them – along with walleye, largemouth bass and carp for bowfishing.
Can you camp at Centralia Lake?
Yes – the lake has camping pads, many with electric hookups, plus boat ramps and picnic areas, managed by the City of Centralia.
Where is Centralia Lake?
In Nemaha County in northeast Kansas, just outside the town of Centralia, north of Manhattan.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like Tuttle Creek and Milford – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
