Kingman State Fishing Lake is the centerpiece of one of the best wildlife destinations in Kansas. The 144-acre lake sits inside the sprawling 4,600-acre Byron Walker Wildlife Area west of Kingman in the south-central part of the state, and it offers a genuinely unusual mix for Kansas – bass, channel catfish and crappie alongside northern pike – plus free lakeside camping, cabins, and some of the finest wildlife viewing in the state. For anglers, birders and campers alike, it punches far above its size.
This guide covers Kingman State Fishing Lake and the Byron Walker Wildlife Area – the fishing, the camping, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Kingman State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Fishing Kingman State Fishing Lake
- Camping, cabins and the wildlife area
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Kingman State Fishing Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Kingman State Fishing Lake?
- Can you camp or rent a cabin at Kingman State Fishing Lake?
- Where is Kingman State Fishing Lake?
Kingman State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Size: a 144-acre lake within the 4,600-acre Byron Walker Wildlife Area, about 7 miles west of Kingman on U.S. 54, in Kingman County, south-central Kansas
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Top fish: channel catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and northern pike
- Camping: a 40-site primitive campground on the east side (picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets), free with a 7-night limit; reservable cabins also available
- Wildlife: ranked among the top areas in Kansas for wildlife viewing
- Other uses: hunting and birding across the large surrounding wildlife area
Fishing Kingman State Fishing Lake
The fish list here stands out. Channel catfish are the most popular target, but the lake also holds good largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and – unusually for Kansas – northern pike, a cool-water predator most state anglers rarely get to chase. Work the shoreline structure and weed edges for bass and pike, brush for crappie, and the open basin for catfish. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the current KDWP report before you go.
Camping, cabins and the wildlife area
The east-side campground has 40 primitive sites that take everything from tents to large RVs, with picnic tables, fire rings and vault toilets – no hookups, a seven-night limit, and no fees or permits required. KDWP also rents cabins here, a nice option in cooler weather. Surrounding it all, the Byron Walker Wildlife Area offers excellent hunting, hiking and birdwatching across thousands of acres of marsh, timber and grassland. 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 right along U.S. 54 about seven miles west of Kingman, an easy drive west of Wichita. For bigger water nearby, Cheney Lake – one of the region’s top sailing and fishing reservoirs – is a short drive northeast, and El Dorado lies farther east.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Kingman State Fishing Lake?
The lake is about 144 acres, set within the 4,600-acre Byron Walker Wildlife Area, 7 miles west of Kingman in south-central Kansas.
What fish can you catch at Kingman State Fishing Lake?
Channel catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and northern pike – a rare cool-water predator for Kansas.
Can you camp or rent a cabin at Kingman State Fishing Lake?
Yes – there’s a free 40-site primitive campground on the east side (7-night limit) with vault toilets, plus reservable cabins through KDWP.
Where is Kingman State Fishing Lake?
In Kingman County in south-central Kansas, about 7 miles west of Kingman on U.S. 54, west of Wichita.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like Cheney and El Dorado – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
