Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Announces Free Fishing and State Park Entrance Days for 2026
For Immediate Release:
February 11, 2026
Media Contact:
Laura Rose Clawson, Chief of Public Affairs
laura.roseclawson@ks.gov
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Announces Free Fishing and State Park Entrance Days for 2026
TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Secretary Christopher Kennedy has issued orders designating several Free Fishing and Free State Park Entrance days in 2026.
Free Fishing Days will be June 6 and 7, 2026. On those days, anyone can fish by legal means without a Kansas fishing license. Length and creel limits remain in effect.
All Kansas State Parks will also offer free entrance on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Camping fees still apply.
“These free days are a great opportunity for Kansans and visitors alike to get outside and enjoy Kansas’ natural resources,” Kennedy said. “Whether you’re fishing, hiking, picnicking, or simply spending time outdoors, we hope these days encourage people to connect with nature and with each other.”
In addition to these statewide events, Secretary Kennedy has also designated several park-specific Free Entrance Days that align with local events and programs designed to engage families, outdoor enthusiasts, and newcomers to Kansas state parks. These dates are as follows:
- April 29 – Tuttle Creek State Park
- May 2 – El Dorado State Park
- May 16 – Milford State Park
- June 6 – Prairie Dog State Park
- June 13 – Cedar Bluff State Park
- June 13 – Historic Lake Scott State Park
- June 20 – Wilson State Park
- July 3 – Cross Timbers State Park
- July 11 – Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
- Sept. 12 – Sand Hills State Park
- Sept. 13 – Lovewell State Park
- Sept. 13 – Webster State Park
- Sept. 19 – Clinton State Park
- Sept. 19 – Hillsdale State Park
- Sept. 26 – Cheney State Park
- Sept. 26 – Crawford State Park
- Sept. 26 – Fall River State Park
- Oct. 10 – Meade State Park
- Oct. 17 – Eisenhower State Park
- Oct. 24 – Kanopolis State Park
- Oct. 24 – Perry State Park
- Oct. 24 – Pomona State Park
For more information about Kansas state parks, fishing opportunities, and upcoming events, visit ksoutdoors.gov.
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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public waterbodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.gov.
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