Geary County, KS · Reservoir
Milford Lake
Kansas’ largest reservoir — "the Fishing Capital of Kansas" northwest of Junction City. A walleye, white bass, and wiper fishery with abundant channel and flathead catfish and crappie in the timber. Fished from boats and the riprap; multiple Corps and state-park ramps ring the lake.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Walleye, White Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie & Smallmouth Bass — tied at the top (68/100)
5 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Milford Lake.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Milford Lake
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 5 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Workable day for Walleye. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Kansas: 5 walleye/day, 15" minimum on most reservoirs (Milford, Tuttle Creek, Wilson).
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 White Bass Workable day for White Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Morone chrysops — A hard-fighting open-water schooling bass of big reservoirs and their feeder rivers across the Plains and Midwest. White bass run up tributaries by the thousands to spawn in spring — the run is a calendar event on waters like McConaughy and the Missouri reservoirs — then chase shad in surface-busting "jumps" through summer. Often hybridized with striped bass to make the "wiper." Abundant and lightly regulated, so creel limits are generous or absent.
Prefers. Water 55–80°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 4–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 15
Kansas: 15/day for white bass, striped bass, wiper, and yellow bass in combination on most waters.
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Channel Catfish Workable day for Channel Catfish. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 10
Kansas: 10 channel catfish/day on most waters.
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Crappie Workable day for Crappie. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 50
Kansas: 50 crappie/day on most reservoirs.
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Workable day for Smallmouth Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Kansas: 5 black bass/day, 15" minimum on most reservoirs.
Source: Kansas non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Kansas non-tidal
Coordinates
Notes
Kansas: walleye 15" minimum, 5/day; 15/day white bass + wiper in combination.
Local reports & rules for Milford Lake: Kansas Wildlife & Parks fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Milford Lake?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Milford Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Milford Lake?
Milford Lake is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, White Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Milford Lake?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Milford Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Milford Lake have?
Milford Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Kansas: walleye 15" minimum, 5/day; 15/day white bass + wiper in combination.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Milford Lake?
state agency regulations apply at Milford Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Milford Lake tidal water?
No. Milford Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.