Gardner Lake is a small, easygoing fishing lake on the southern edge of the Kansas City metro. Just north of the town of Gardner in Johnson County, this 106-acre lake is a quiet, no-wake water ringed partly by a lakeside community – the kind of place locals slip out to for an evening of bass or catfish without a long drive. There’s no camping and no big crowds, just public ramps, fishing piers and bank access close to home.
This guide covers Gardner Lake – the fishing, the access and rules, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Gardner Lake at a glance
- A close-to-Kansas-City fishing lake
- Fishing Gardner Lake
- Day use and rules
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Gardner Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Gardner Lake?
- Can you camp at Gardner Lake?
- Can you use a motorboat on Gardner Lake?
- Where is Gardner Lake?
Gardner Lake at a glance
- Size: 106 acres, in Johnson County just north of Gardner
- Location: southern Kansas City metro, near Gardner and Edgerton
- Top fish: largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, white bass
- Boating: motorboats allowed, but it’s a no-wake lake (great for fishing and paddling)
- Access: boat ramps, fishing piers and docks, bank fishing, wheelchair-accessible areas, picnic shelters (no camping)
- Known for: close-to-KC, low-key bass and catfish fishing
A close-to-Kansas-City fishing lake
Gardner Lake’s appeal is convenience. For anglers in Gardner, Olathe and the southwest metro, it’s a 106-acre fishery just minutes away – small enough to learn quickly, with a residential community along part of the shoreline and public access for everyone else. As a no-wake lake, it stays calm and fishing-friendly: you can run a motor, but not ski or run wide open, which suits the bass boats, kayaks and bank anglers who use it.
Fishing Gardner Lake
Gardner is best known for largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill, with crappie and white bass also in the mix. There are fishing piers and docks, good bank access and wheelchair-accessible spots, so you don’t need a boat to do well. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the latest KDWP report and local rules before you go.
Day use and rules
Below the dam you’ll find three park shelters (two rentable) with picnic tables and grills – a nice spot for a family afternoon. Camping is not allowed at Gardner Lake; it’s a day-use fishing and picnic lake. As with any warm Kansas lake, watch for summer blue-green algae advisories and avoid visible scum. Note local boating and access rules, which the city and lake community post at the ramps.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Gardner Lake is just off I-35 near Gardner, an easy hop from Olathe and the rest of the Kansas City metro. For bigger water close by, Hillsdale Lake – with its marina, camping and big trail system – is a short drive south, and Clinton Lake near Lawrence is an easy day trip.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Gardner Lake?
It’s a 106-acre lake in Johnson County, just north of the town of Gardner in the southern Kansas City metro.
What fish can you catch at Gardner Lake?
Largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill are the headliners, along with crappie and white bass. There are fishing piers, docks and accessible bank spots.
Can you camp at Gardner Lake?
No – Gardner Lake is a day-use fishing and picnic lake with no camping. It does have picnic shelters below the dam.
Can you use a motorboat on Gardner Lake?
Yes, motorboats are allowed, but it’s a no-wake lake – good for fishing and paddling, not for skiing or running wide open.
Where is Gardner Lake?
In Johnson County, just north of Gardner off I-35 in the southern Kansas City metro.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like Hillsdale and Clinton – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
