Geary State Fishing Lake is a quiet, well-rounded lake in the Flint Hills south of Junction City, popular with both anglers and hunters. The 99-acre lake sits within 180 acres of public hunting ground rich in quail, pheasant and deer, and it’s stocked with a strong mix of bass, walleye, saugeye and catfish. With free primitive camping and easy access from the Fort Riley and Manhattan area, it’s a dependable spot for a fishing weekend or a fall hunt.
This guide covers Geary State Fishing Lake – the fishing, the hunting, the camping, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Geary State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Fishing Geary State Fishing Lake
- Hunting, camping and access
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Geary State Fishing Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Geary State Fishing Lake?
- Can you camp and hunt at Geary State Fishing Lake?
- Where is Geary State Fishing Lake?
Geary State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Size: a 99-acre lake within 180 acres of public hunting land, about 10 miles south of Junction City in Geary County, northeast-central Kansas
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Top fish: largemouth bass, walleye, saugeye, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie
- Hunting: quail, pheasant, dove, deer, squirrel, rabbit and more across the wildlife area
- Camping: free primitive camping (no reservations), 14-day limit, with picnic shelters, fire rings, yard lights, a vault toilet and a boat ramp
- Note: no running water or electricity
Fishing Geary State Fishing Lake
Geary carries a genuinely diverse fishery for its size. It’s stocked with largemouth bass, walleye, saugeye, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie. Work the points and dam for walleye and saugeye at low light, the coves and timber for bass and crappie, and the deeper water for catfish. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the current KDWP report before you go.
Hunting, camping and access
The surrounding 180-acre wildlife area is a real draw in fall and winter, holding good numbers of quail, pheasant, dove and deer plus small game. Camping is free and primitive with no reservations and a 14-day limit, and the area is unusually well equipped for an SFL – picnic shelters, fire rings, yard lights, a vault toilet and a boat ramp – though there’s no running water or electricity. 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 10 miles south of Junction City in Geary County, near Fort Riley and an easy drive from Manhattan. For big-water fishing nearby, Milford Lake – the largest lake in Kansas – is just northwest, and scenic Council Grove Lake lies to the south in the Flint Hills.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Geary State Fishing Lake?
About 99 acres, within 180 acres of public hunting land, 10 miles south of Junction City in Geary County.
What fish can you catch at Geary State Fishing Lake?
Largemouth bass, walleye, saugeye, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie.
Can you camp and hunt at Geary State Fishing Lake?
Yes – free primitive camping (14-day limit, no reservations) with picnic shelters and a boat ramp, plus hunting for quail, pheasant, dove and deer across the wildlife area.
Where is Geary State Fishing Lake?
In Geary County in northeast-central Kansas, about 10 miles south of Junction City, near Fort Riley.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like Milford and Council Grove – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
