Family Friendly Fishing Locations: Manhattan, Kansas

State Fishing Lakes

There are five State Fishing Lakes within an easy drive of Manhattan, KS.

 Milford Hatchery Supply Pond – Location has no boat access, but very easy to get to the banks in several locations around the water. Good sized park, well-kept up and very clean. Milford Hatchery has plenty of game  fish including Cannel Catfish, Small and Largemouth Bass, Walleye and Crappie.

 Tuttle Creek Willow Lake – Location is small with no boat access. In spite of its small size it is family friendly with easy water access. Game  fish include Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass and Crappie.

 Geary State Fishing Lake – Location is a very good size with boat access as well as easy bank access. Park is located in Junction City, KS, about 30 minutes from Manhattan. Game  fish at this site include Bluegill, Sunfish, Catfish (Channel and Flathead), Large and Smallmouth Bass, Crappie and Saugeye.

 Pottawatomie No. 1 – Location is small but quiet and clean with boat access. Easy walk up access to the bank. Pottawatomie No. 1 is located just a few miles North of Westmoreland, KS. Game  fish here include White Crappie, Flathead and Channel Catfish, Green Sunfish, Bluegill and Largemouth Bass.

 Pottawatomie No. 2 – Location is about 25 acres larger than No. 1 with very easy access to the banks around the entire lake. Free camping and boat access is also available here. Park is clean and most popular with college students. Game  fish include Redear and Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel and Flathead Catfish, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye.

Popular Region 2 Reservoirs

Milford Reservoir – Location is very large with boat access and easy water access in many, but not all spots around the reservoir. Park is very clean and full of wildlife. Hiking trails and camping is also available here. Game  fish at this site include Large and Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Bass, Walleye, Channel and Flathead Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill and Sunfish.

 Tuttle Creek Reservoir – This location is one of the most popular for boat and bank anglers alike. Park is large and clean and very family friendly. Camping and cabin rental is available at this site. Restroom outhouses are also on site. Location offers easy bank access as well as a few more challenging spots along the edges of the wilderness. Game  fish include Blue, Channel and Flathead Catfish, White and Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Crappie, Bluegill, Walleye, Trout and Saugeye.

Fishing on Fort Riley

 You can fish on Fort Riley without any additional permits. Fort Riley has over 20 ponds and lakes that are open to anglers. Channel Catfish and Trout are among the game fish found on Fort Riley. Due to military activities some locations may be closed at any time with or without notice. To find out which locations are open to anglers call (785)239-6669. Be sure to read the regulations posted on the information boards at each site before fishing.

Popular and Useful Baits

•  For the indiscriminate angler Nightcrawlers and everyday dew worms will catch a fish nearly every time.

• Jigs and Lures tend to only pan out for the more experienced anglers.

• Stink, and Dip baits such as Rotten Shad, Chicken Liver and Blood are excellent for catching all kinds of Catfish.

• Live Bait, such as Minnows, Shiners, and Shad are great for catching Bass.