The saugeye is a cross between a walleye and a sauger and is another promising hybrid. The saugeye has been successfully stocked in reservoirs where walleye populations are difficult to maintain. Similar in appearance to the parents, the saugeye will grow faster than either but probably won't get as big as the walleye. The world record saugeye weighed 15 pounds, 10 ounces. The state record weighed 9 pounds, 13 ounces.

This close cousin to the walleye loves murky water and current. Sauger are being stocked in several northeastern Kansas reservoirs where walleye haven't done well because of high flowthrough and murky water conditions. Sauger are less likely than walleye to be flushed from a reservoir. Smaller than the walleye, the world record sauger weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces. The state record is 4 pounds, 13 ounces.

The paddlefish is a plankton eater that resembles prehistoric fishes. Common only in two Kansas rivers – the Marais des Cygnes and the Neosho – the paddlefish is taken by fishermen during the spring spawning runs, and then only during the special snagging season. Stocking paddlefish in Oklahoma’s Kaw Reservoir and in Tuttle Creek Reservoir may bring the paddle-snouted fish back to some of its former range. The largest paddlefish on modern record weighed 144 pounds and measured 54 1/4". This is the Kansas record.

The white crappie is abundant across Kansas and ideally suited to the large reservoirs. Known for its prolific numbers and delicious white meat, the white crappie is one of the most popular sportfish in the state. The rich waters of northeastern Kansas reservoirs produce some of the finest fishing for slab-sided white crappie found anywhere in the U.S. The world record white weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces. The Kansas record tipped the scales at 4 pounds, 1/4 ounce.

The black crappie is not as widespread in Kansas as the white crappie. The black is more suited to clear-water and small impoundments such as farm ponds. Black crappies are distinguished by a uniform dark flecking with no visible barring as seen on the white crappie. The world record black crappie weighed 6 pounds. The Kansas record is 4 pounds, 10 ounces.

The bluegill is one of the most common panfish in Kansas, and it provides many youngsters with their first fishing thrill. Although it doesn't grow to enormous weights, the tenacious, saucer-shaped fish makes up for size with a scrappy fight. Common in most farm ponds and smaller community and state fishing lakes, bluegill are most easily caught when they move into shallow water and begin dishing out spawning beds. The state record bluegill weighed 2 pounds, 5 ounces. The world record is 4 pounds, 12ounces.

Although it has a larger mouth and more elongated body than the bluegill, the green sunfish has the blue tab on the gill cover and is often confused with the bluegill. Commonly referred to as perch, green sunfish are aggressive and easy to catch. However, they can easily overpopulate and become stunted in small waters. The Kansas record weighed 2 pounds, 6 ounces. The world record greenie is listed at 2 pounds, 7 ounces.

The redear sunfish has been stocked into select lakes and reservoirs. Although the redear resembles the bluegill, it usually prefers deeper water and is more difficult to catch. The redear has a narrow band of red on the gill cover lobe and usually shows vertical barring. Redears are popular locally because of the challenge they provide. The state record weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces. The world record tipped the scales at 5 pounds, 8 ounces.

The freshwater drum is common in most Kansas rivers and reservoirs. Commonly considered an undesirable rough fish, the drum is predatory and will readily strike lures and baits. It is a good fighter and the white meat is fine table fare. The drum can make strange drumming or grunting noises with muscles vibrated against the swim bladder. The world record drum weighed 54 pounds, 8 ounces. The Kansas state record drum weighed 31 pounds, 4 ounces.