Sportsmans Lake, Kansas: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Kansas holds Sportsmans Lake, in Cloud County. It sits at 1,391 feet above sea level. At some 677 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. With 4.8 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. The closest town, Concordia, is 14 miles away. Beloit follows at 17 miles, then Belleville at 19 miles. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Sportsmans Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Records held for Cloud County cover black bullhead, bluegill, gizzard shad and orangespotted sunfish. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Sportsmans Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 26°F in January up to 79°F in July. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Time your trip to Sportsmans Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. 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. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Lovewell Reservoir is 19 miles distant. Rules at Sportsmans Lake are worth checking on the day.