Nemaha State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is a bit different from a typical fishing lake – it’s a restored wetland complex in the farm country of northeast Kansas, prized as much for its birds as its fish. After the original lake went dry, a major restoration in 2002 created a 125-acre wetland and an 18-acre fishing pond stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish, set within 700-plus acres south of Seneca. For anglers, waterfowl hunters and birdwatchers alike, it’s a quiet, worthwhile stop in Nemaha County.
This guide covers Nemaha State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area – the fishing pond, the wetland, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Nemaha State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area at a glance
- A restored wetland with a fishing pond
- Fishing and wildlife
- Facilities and access
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- Is Nemaha State Fishing Lake a lake or a wetland?
- What fish can you catch at Nemaha State Fishing Lake?
- Can you camp at Nemaha State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area?
- Where is Nemaha State Fishing Lake?
Nemaha State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area at a glance
- Size: 700-plus acres of wildlife area, including a 125-acre wetland and an 18-acre fishing pond, 1 mile east and 4 miles south of Seneca on Highway 63 in Nemaha County, northeast Kansas
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Fishing pond: stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish
- Restoration: a 2002 project rebuilt the fishery and created the wetland
- Facilities: a limestone shelter house for picnicking and a roadside campsite
- Best for: pond fishing, waterfowl hunting and birdwatching
A restored wetland with a fishing pond
Nemaha’s story is one of restoration. The original lake bed dried out, and in 2002 a $1.2 million project transformed it – rebuilding the fishery and creating a large wetland. Today the centerpiece is a 125-acre wetland that draws migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, with an adjacent 18-acre fishing pond for anglers. It’s a smaller, more specialized destination than the big state fishing lakes, but a rich one for anyone who enjoys marsh wildlife.
Fishing and wildlife
The 18-acre pond is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish – simple, accessible bank and small-boat fishing. The surrounding wetland and wildlife area is the real draw for many visitors, offering seasonal waterfowl hunting and some of the better birdwatching in this part of the state. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check current KDWP regulations before you go.
Facilities and access
Facilities are simple: a limestone shelter house for picnicking and a roadside campsite. This is a low-key, natural area rather than a developed campground – come for the fishing, the marsh and the wildlife. As with any warm Kansas water, watch for summer blue-green algae advisories and avoid visible scum.
Getting there and what’s nearby
The area is just south of Seneca on Highway 63 in Nemaha County. For more traditional lake fishing nearby, the excellent Centralia Lake is a short drive south in the same county, and Brown State Fishing Lake lies to the east.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nemaha State Fishing Lake a lake or a wetland?
Both – after the original lake went dry, a 2002 restoration created a 125-acre wetland plus an 18-acre fishing pond, within a 700-plus-acre wildlife area south of Seneca.
What fish can you catch at Nemaha State Fishing Lake?
The 18-acre pond is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Can you camp at Nemaha State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area?
There’s a roadside campsite and a limestone shelter house for picnicking – it’s a simple, natural area rather than a developed campground.
Where is Nemaha State Fishing Lake?
In Nemaha County in northeast Kansas, 1 mile east and 4 miles south of Seneca on Highway 63.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby waters like Centralia Lake and Brown State Fishing Lake – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
