Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2 is the larger of the two Pottawatomie state lakes, and an easy, productive fishing trip close to Manhattan and K-State. At 75 acres, surrounded by a wildlife refuge in the rolling hills of northeast Kansas, it offers good catfish, bass, walleye and crappie – and its channel catfish are boosted each summer through the state’s Urban Fishing Program. Add primitive lakeside camping and it’s a reliable local favorite.
This guide covers Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2 – the fishing, the camping, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2 at a glance
- Fishing Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2
- Camping and access
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2?
- What fish can you catch at Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2?
- What are the rules at Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2?
- What’s the difference between Pottawatomie lakes No. 1 and No. 2?
Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2 at a glance
- Size: a 75-acre lake within a 179-acre wildlife refuge, near Manhattan in Pottawatomie County, northeast Kansas
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Top fish: channel catfish (stocked in summer via the Urban Fishing Program), flathead catfish, black bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill
- Camping: primitive camping on the west side, with a 7-day limit
- Rules: boating is fishing-only; this is a no-alcohol lake and swimming is not allowed; special channel-catfish creel limit of five
Fishing Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2
“Pott 2” fishes well for its size. The channel catfish population is actively supported with summer stockings through the Urban Fishing Program, and the lake also holds flathead catfish, black bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. With boating restricted to fishing only, it stays calm and angler-friendly. Work the shoreline for bass and crappie, the points for walleye, and the channel and feeders for catfish. Note the five-fish channel-catfish limit, and that alcohol and swimming are not permitted. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license.
Camping and access
Primitive camping is allowed on the west side of the lake, with a seven-day limit – a simple, quiet base for a fishing trip rather than a developed campground. 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 near Manhattan in Pottawatomie County, making it an easy outing for the K-State area. Its sister lake, Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 1, lies to the northwest near Westmoreland, and for much bigger water, Tuttle Creek Lake is right at Manhattan’s doorstep.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2?
About 75 acres, within a 179-acre wildlife refuge, near Manhattan in Pottawatomie County, northeast Kansas.
What fish can you catch at Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2?
Channel catfish (stocked in summer), flathead catfish, black bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill.
What are the rules at Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2?
Boating is fishing-only, it’s a no-alcohol lake, swimming is not allowed, and there’s a five-fish channel-catfish creel limit.
What’s the difference between Pottawatomie lakes No. 1 and No. 2?
No. 1 (24 acres) is north of Westmoreland; No. 2 (75 acres) is the larger lake nearer Manhattan. Both are KDWP state fishing lakes in Pottawatomie County.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, including Pottawatomie No. 1 and big Tuttle Creek – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
