Lyon State Fishing Lake is a clear, scenic lake on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills, an easy drive north of Emporia. The 135-acre lake near Reading is fed by some 1,400 acres of native tallgrass prairie, which keeps the water unusually clean and clear, and it’s well set up for visitors with seven rock fishing piers, a wildlife-viewing trail and free primitive camping. For bass, saugeye, crappie and catfish in a pretty prairie setting, it’s one of the nicer state fishing lakes in east-central Kansas.
This guide covers Lyon State Fishing Lake – the fishing, the trail and camping, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Lyon State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Fishing Lyon State Fishing Lake
- Trail, camping and access
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Lyon State Fishing Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Lyon State Fishing Lake?
- Can you camp at Lyon State Fishing Lake?
- Where is Lyon State Fishing Lake?
Lyon State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Size: a 135-acre lake within 442 acres of public wildlife area, 13 miles north of Emporia near Reading in Lyon County, east-central Kansas
- Setting: the eastern edge of the Flint Hills; a tallgrass-prairie basin keeps the water notably clear
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Top fish: channel catfish, largemouth bass, saugeye, white crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish
- Access: seven rock fishing piers, a boat ramp, and the Clinton Eubank Memorial trail for hiking and wildlife viewing
- Camping: free primitive camping in designated areas (picnic tables, grills, pit toilets; no potable water)
Fishing Lyon State Fishing Lake
The clean prairie water makes for healthy, good-looking fish. The lake is stocked and managed for channel catfish, largemouth bass, white crappie and bluegill, and also holds saugeye and redear sunfish. Seven rock fishing piers reach out toward deeper water, making bank fishing genuinely productive. Work the piers and points for saugeye and bass, brush for crappie, and the flats for catfish. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the current KDWP report before you go.
Trail, camping and access
Beyond fishing, the Clinton Eubank Memorial trail runs along the southeast side of the lake – a fine spot for a walk and for wildlife viewing across the prairie edge. Camping is free primitive in designated areas, with picnic tables, grills and pit toilets but no drinking water, so bring your own. A boat ramp and shelter house round out the facilities. 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 13 miles north of Emporia via Kansas Highway 99, near the small town of Reading, on the scenic eastern flank of the Flint Hills. For bigger reservoirs nearby, Melvern Lake lies to the northeast and the scenic Council Grove Lake to the west, making for an easy multi-lake loop through the Flint Hills.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Lyon State Fishing Lake?
About 135 acres, within 442 acres of public wildlife area, 13 miles north of Emporia near Reading in Lyon County.
What fish can you catch at Lyon State Fishing Lake?
Channel catfish, largemouth bass, saugeye, white crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish, with seven rock fishing piers for bank access.
Can you camp at Lyon State Fishing Lake?
Yes – free primitive camping is allowed in designated areas, with picnic tables, grills and pit toilets, but no potable water.
Where is Lyon State Fishing Lake?
In Lyon County in east-central Kansas, 13 miles north of Emporia on K-99 near Reading, on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like Melvern and Council Grove – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
