Birk Lake in Coffey County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Kansas, Birk Lake falls inside Coffey County. The surface lies 1,135 feet up. Surface area runs to about 4 acres — small enough to read in one session. The town to know is Burlington, 9.1 miles out. The nearest city of size is Topeka, 63 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water. You can learn the basics of it in one visit.

• Where to Fish on Birk Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Records held for Coffey County cover flathead catfish, neosho madtom, golden redhorse, orangespotted sunfish and river redhorse. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Work Birk Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 28°F in January up to 79°F in July. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. It holds true on Birk Lake more years than not. Warm spells bring fish up, cold snaps push them down.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Buffalo Creek at 7.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat Birk Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.