Republican River

An impoundment of the Republican River, Milford Lake has become one of the best fishing lakes in Kansas. Along with being the largest man-made lake in Kansas, Milford Lake offers great opportunities for walleye, wiper, bass, and giant blue catfish. This 15,709 acres reservoir sits upon a bed of limestone and clay and cuts through part of the Flint Hills. Limestone bluffs and rocky points as well as stretches of sandy beaches make up the picturesque shorelines. Although originally impounded for flood control and water quality, but with the help of the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Milford Lake soon became a top fishery in Kansas. Anglers can enjoy numerous opportunities for 80 plus pound blue catfish, big walleyes, trophy smallmouth bass and hard fighting wipers and white bass. You’re almost guaranteed to catch fish in these beautiful waters.

Early in the year many fish will feed on invertebrates and aquatic insects. Gizzard shad, shiners, bluegills and large crustaceans are abundant and provide forage for bigger fish.

During early April, walleyes will concentrate along the face of the dam or along some of the shallow gravel shorelines to spawn. Following spawn walleyes will move throughout the lake and move to deeper water during the summer months. White bass will make a run up the Republican River usually late April, early May. In summer, white bass can be found chasing schools of shad throughout the lake. Crappies relate to the wooded coves during the spring to spawn. By summer they can be found suspended in deeper water not far from their spawning grounds. Then by fall crappies will relate to spring time areas and will school up in big groups.