Eppley Lake in Stafford County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Kansas, Eppley Lake falls inside Stafford County. It lies 1,919 feet above sea level. About 2 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It sits higher than most water we list in Kansas. Saint John is the closest place, 4.6 miles off. Wichita sits 85 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Eppley Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. County-wide records name arkansas darter, black bullhead and common carp. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. At Eppley Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 80°F and January about 30°F. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. It sets the rhythm of the year at Eppley Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Allens Lake sits 18 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Eppley Lake are worth checking on the day.