Woodson State Fishing Lake is one of the larger and better-equipped state fishing lakes in Kansas, set within a sprawling 2,885-acre wildlife area in the southeast of the state. The 180-acre lake near Toronto offers a standout fishery – channel catfish, wiper, walleye, crappie and both largemouth and smallmouth bass – boosted by solar-powered fish feeders, plus plenty of camping, piers and a big wildlife area to roam. For anglers, it’s a genuine destination.
This guide covers Woodson State Fishing Lake – the fishing, the camping, and what’s nearby. It’s part of our growing Kansas Lakes Database.
- Woodson State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Fishing Woodson State Fishing Lake
- Camping and the wildlife area
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Frequently asked questions
- How big is Woodson State Fishing Lake?
- What fish can you catch at Woodson State Fishing Lake?
- Can you camp at Woodson State Fishing Lake?
- Where is Woodson State Fishing Lake?
Woodson State Fishing Lake at a glance
- Size: a 180-acre lake within a 2,885-acre wildlife area, about 5.5 miles east of Toronto (between Toronto and Yates Center) in Woodson County, southeast Kansas
- Managed by: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Top fish: channel catfish, wiper, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish
- Fish feeders: seven solar-powered feeders that grow bigger catfish, wiper and bluegill
- Facilities: 40 primitive campsites, a shelter house, four vault toilets, a boat ramp, an accessible boat/fishing dock and five earthen fishing piers
- Camping: free primitive camping
Fishing Woodson State Fishing Lake
Woodson fishes like a much bigger water. It’s managed for channel catfish, wiper, walleye, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and both largemouth and smallmouth bass – smallmouth being a relative rarity in Kansas. Seven solar-powered fish feeders around the lake noticeably increase the average size of catfish, wiper and bluegill. With five piers and an accessible fishing dock, bank fishing is excellent. Work the points and feeders for catfish and wiper, rocky structure for smallmouth, and brush for crappie. Anglers 16 to 74 need a Kansas fishing license; check the current KDWP report before you go.
Camping and the wildlife area
The lake offers 40 free primitive campsites, a shelter house, four vault toilets, a boat ramp and seven miles of gravel roads through the surrounding country. That 2,885-acre wildlife area is a big draw in its own right for hiking, wildlife watching and seasonal hunting. 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 5.5 miles east of Toronto in Woodson County, southeast Kansas. It’s an ideal companion to Toronto Lake, the Corps reservoir just to the west, and Fall River Lake is a short drive south – making for an easy three-lake fishing loop.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Woodson State Fishing Lake?
About 180 acres of water within a 2,885-acre wildlife area, 5.5 miles east of Toronto in Woodson County, southeast Kansas.
What fish can you catch at Woodson State Fishing Lake?
Channel catfish, wiper, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish – solar fish feeders help grow bigger fish.
Can you camp at Woodson State Fishing Lake?
Yes – there are 40 free primitive campsites, a shelter house, vault toilets, a boat ramp and five fishing piers.
Where is Woodson State Fishing Lake?
In Woodson County in southeast Kansas, about 5.5 miles east of Toronto, between Toronto and Yates Center.
Related: explore more small lakes of Kansas, or nearby reservoirs like Toronto and Fall River – or head back to the Kansas Lakes Database.
