Sheridan State Fishing Lake Fishing Information
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks - Norton, KS 913-877-2953
UPDATED 07/30/25:
Sheridan State Fishing Lake is currently drained for renovations and no fishing or boating opportunities are available. The lake is still open for camping and other visitation. The nearby Antelope Lake is open for fishing.
The Sheridan State Fishing Lake property spans 316 acres, and it is visited annually by 22,750 people who come to fish, camp, and picnic. The lake was constructed in 1959 to provide fishing opportunities. Over time, the lakebed filled in with sediment. KDWP staff also struggled to maintain healthy fish populations at the lake, despite attempting multiple management approaches. The agency began draining the lake in early 2024 in anticipation of renovations, and the work is expected to continue through Spring 2027, with an anticipated lake reopening in Summer 2027.
Renovation Highlights
- Complete draining and dredging of the lake and subsequent reshaping of the lakebed
- Construction of earthen fishing piers
- Shoreline reinforcement with rocks and boulders to prevent erosion
- Improved fish habitat and stocking with sportfish and the smaller fish they feed on
- Campsite upgrades, including picnic tables, fire rings, and road maintenance
- Invasive tree control
Visitor Impacts
The property remains open for camping and other visitation. Fishing and boating opportunities will remain unavailable for at least two more years, though the nearby Antelope Lake in Graham County is open for fishing. Visitors should anticipate intermittent closures of portions of the property as the renovations progress.
| Species | Rating | Size | Baits, Method, and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comments | |||
| Sheridan State Fishing Lake is currently drained for renovations with no fishing opportunities. The lake is still open for camping and other visitation. The nearby Antelope Lake is open for fishing. As part of lake renovations, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has issued Sheridan State Fishing Lake be opened to public fish salvage effective 11/6/2023. The order is posted on signs around the lake. It allows the public to collect fish by any legal methods as well as by hand, dip net, throw net, minnow trap or seine, snagging, gig, speargun, bow and arrow or crossbow with a barbed head and line attached from bow/crossbow to arrow per regulation 115-7-1. This fish salvage order also removes all daily creel limits and size limits per regulation 115-25-14. This public fish salvage will remain in effect until posted notice signage on site is removed. ATTENTION: As of 1-23-2025, the lake water level is extremely low with only inches of water left at the deepest. Given recent cold weather, remaining lake water and surrounding sediments have frozen. Given the close proximity between any existing ice and bottom sediments, melting and refreezing of ice can be rapid. Rapidly changing ice conditions over the top of extremely soft lake bottom sediments has resulted in a potentially dangerous scenario should one fall through weak ice. Any attempt to get out on existing ice or muddy bottom sediments is strongly discouraged. For more information contact Dave Spalsbury, District Fisheries Biologist at 785-726-3212. | |||
| Fishing Population | Creel Limit | Min Length Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | ||
| Crappie | 50 | |
| Channel Catfish | 5 | |
| Flathead Catfish | 5 | |
| Largemouth Bass | 5 | 15 |
| Saugeye | 5 | 15 |
| Wiper | 5 |
* Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Bass in Combination
** Striped Bass or Wiper in Combination
*** Walleye, Sauger or Saugeye in Combination