Hunting & Fishing in El Dorado, Kansas

Fishable populations deep in the El Dorado Lake/Reservoir are stocked with a variety of sport fish, including walleye, large and smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, and bluegill. Other species include flathead catfish, white crappie, white bass, black bullhead, drum and carp.

Fish attractors, in terms of stacked timber, are anchored throughout the lake, ranging as deep as 18 feet, and are marked with buoys for easy reference for boaters.

Between April 15^th, and October 15^th, rainbow trout are stocked in the Walnut River Channel, located below the dam.

All residents 16 through 64 years of age must have a valid fishing license. For full information on license information and possible fees, please visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism page on fishing regulation. 

Creel limits for similar species, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass; or walleye, saugeye, and sauger; or wiper and striped bass; or blue and channel catfish apply to single species or in combination. For example, at El Dorado Reservoir, an angler may keep five largemouth bass OR three largemouth bass and two smallmouth bass OR two largemouth bass, two smallmouth bass, and one spotted bass or any other combination of the three.

For help with proper identification of native and local fish species, please visit the Kansas Department of Wildflife, Parks and Tourism Fish ID page. 

During the winter months, ice fishing is allowed on the lake.