Fishing at Allens Lake, Stafford County, Kansas

• Overview

  The Stafford County entry here is Allens Lake, in Kansas. The bank is 1,818 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 12 acres — small enough to read in one session. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Kansas listings. Nearest place of any size is Saint John, 13 miles away. Then Pratt, 20 miles, and Sterling, 28 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Allens Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Survey and observation records for Stafford County include arkansas darter, black bullhead, common carp and flathead catfish. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. The near bank of Allens Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 80°F at the top of summer and 30°F at the bottom of winter. A lid forms in a hard winter only. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. That is the shape of the year on Allens Lake. Early and late in the day beat the middle for most of the year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Rosacker Lake at 2.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Allens Lake are worth checking on the day.