Winfield City Lake punches well above its “city lake” label. At 1,200 acres in the rolling country of Cowley County, just northwest of Winfield in south-central Kansas, it’s widely regarded as one of the best fishing lakes in the state – city-owned and well-managed, with a deep bench of walleye, crappie, wiper and catfish. Add full-service camping and a swim beach and it’s an easy, affordable weekend for anglers and families alike.
This guide covers Winfield City Lake – the fishing, the camping and recreation, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Winfield City Lake at a glance
- One of Kansas’ best city-lake fisheries
- Fishing Winfield City Lake
- Camping and recreation
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Winfield City Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Winfield City Lake?
- Can you camp at Winfield City Lake?
- Where is Winfield City Lake?
Winfield City Lake at a glance
- Size: about 1,200 acres, 5 miles northwest of Winfield in Cowley County, south-central Kansas
- Managed by: the City of Winfield (fishery rated by KDWP)
- Top fish: walleye, crappie, wiper, channel catfish, largemouth bass
- Camping: full-hookup (limited), water/electric and electric-only sites; lake office sells ice and bait
- Recreation: boating, water-skiing, swimming beach, kayaking and seasonal hunting
- Known for: being one of the best city-lake fisheries in Kansas
One of Kansas’ best city-lake fisheries
For a municipally owned lake, Winfield fishes like a much bigger reservoir. KDWP keeps current forecasts here for walleye and black crappie, and the lake reliably produces wiper, channel catfish and largemouth bass as well. The combination of size, structure and active city management has earned it a real reputation among south-central Kansas anglers – it’s the kind of place worth planning a trip around.
Fishing Winfield City Lake
Walleye and crappie are the headliners, backed by hard-pulling wiper, strong channel catfish and good largemouth bass. Work the points and dam for walleye at low light, chase wiper schools in open water in summer, and fish brush and timber for crappie in spring. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the latest KDWP report and city lake rules before you go.
Camping and recreation
Winfield City Lake offers a full range of camping – a few coveted full-hookup sites, more numerous water/electric sites, and plenty of electric-only spots – with a lake office that sells ice and bait. Beyond fishing, there’s boating, water-skiing, a swim beach and kayaking, plus hunting in season. It’s relaxed, affordable and family-friendly. As with any warm Kansas lake, watch for summer blue-green algae advisories and avoid visible scum. Reserve through the City of Winfield.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Winfield City Lake is just northwest of Winfield, an easy drive south of Wichita off U.S. 77. Winfield is famous for the Walnut Valley Festival, a renowned acoustic-music gathering each September, so time a fishing trip around it for a memorable weekend. For bigger reservoirs, El Dorado and Cheney are within day-trip range to the north.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Winfield City Lake?
About 1,200 acres, 5 miles northwest of Winfield in Cowley County, south-central Kansas.
What fish can you catch at Winfield City Lake?
Walleye and crappie are the headliners, along with wiper, channel catfish and largemouth bass. It’s considered one of the best city-lake fisheries in Kansas.
Can you camp at Winfield City Lake?
Yes – there are a few full-hookup sites plus water/electric and electric-only sites, with a lake office that sells ice and bait, reservable through the City of Winfield.
Where is Winfield City Lake?
In Cowley County in south-central Kansas, about 5 miles northwest of Winfield off U.S. 77, south of Wichita.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like El Dorado and Cheney – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
