Leavenworth State Fishing Lake is a quiet, high-quality fishery within easy reach of the Kansas City metro. The 160-acre lake near Tonganoxie in northeast Kansas is best known for its good-to-excellent largemouth bass, but it backs that up with a genuinely diverse roster of catfish, crappie, walleye and wiper. Wrapped by a timbered wildlife area and offering free primitive camping, it’s an easy, uncrowded escape barely half an hour from Lawrence or KC.
This guide covers Leavenworth State Fishing Lake – the fishing, the camping, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Leavenworth State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Fishing Leavenworth State Fishing Lake
- Camping and access
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Leavenworth State Fishing Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Leavenworth State Fishing Lake?
- Can you camp at Leavenworth State Fishing Lake?
- Where is Leavenworth State Fishing Lake?
Leavenworth State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Size: 160 acres, within a 341-acre wildlife area of timber and grassland, near Tonganoxie in Leavenworth County, northeast Kansas
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Top fish: largemouth bass (good to excellent), channel catfish, plus bluegill, black crappie, redear, walleye, wiper and flathead catfish
- Camping: free primitive camping in designated areas (no electricity or water); 14-day limit
- Facilities: fishing piers, fish feeders, a boat ramp, two reservable shelter houses, four vault restrooms and picnic tables
- Location bonus: close to Lawrence and the Kansas City metro
Fishing Leavenworth State Fishing Lake
This is a well-rounded little lake with a standout strength. The largemouth bass fishing rates good to excellent, and channel catfish are strong too, while the lake also carries fair populations of bluegill, black crappie, redear, walleye, wiper and flathead catfish. The fishing piers and fish feeders make bank fishing productive. Work the timber and points for bass, the feeders and channel for catfish, and open water for wiper and walleye. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the current KDWP report before you go.
Camping and access
Leavenworth offers free primitive camping in designated areas – no electricity or running water – with a 14-day limit, plus two shelter houses that can be reserved through the area manager. With a boat ramp, four vault restrooms and picnic tables, it’s a simple, low-cost base for a fishing weekend near the metro. 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 just off Parallel Road near Tonganoxie, an easy drive from Lawrence, Leavenworth and the western Kansas City suburbs. For bigger reservoirs nearby, Perry Lake and Clinton Lake are both within easy day-trip range, and the smaller Lone Star Lake sits just southwest of Lawrence.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Leavenworth State Fishing Lake?
About 160 acres, within a 341-acre timbered wildlife area, near Tonganoxie in Leavenworth County, northeast Kansas.
What fish can you catch at Leavenworth State Fishing Lake?
Largemouth bass (good to excellent) and channel catfish are the headliners, with bluegill, black crappie, redear, walleye, wiper and flathead catfish also present.
Can you camp at Leavenworth State Fishing Lake?
Yes – free primitive camping is allowed in designated areas (no electricity or water), with a 14-day limit, plus two reservable shelter houses.
Where is Leavenworth State Fishing Lake?
In Leavenworth County in northeast Kansas, near Tonganoxie, within easy reach of Lawrence and the Kansas City metro.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like Perry and Clinton – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
