5 Tips for Catching Trout in Kansas this Season

Tips for Catching Trout in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks announced the opening day of trout fishing season, Nov. 1, 2022. The season runs through April 15, 2023, which gives anglers lots of chances for winter fishing.

The KDWP said more than 30 locations will be stocked with rainbow trout from October through December, and again from mid-February through March.

All stocked trout will be a catchable size, but a few trophy fish will be added. They also said that, in addition to rainbow trout, there may be a few palominos and golden rainbow trout mixed in.

If you’re 16 or older, you’re required to have a Kansas fishing license with an additional $14.50 trout permit. For youth anglers who are 15 and younger, you only need a $7 trout permit.

You’re limited to five keepers per day unless otherwise posted.

Speaking of five keepers, keep in mind these 5 tips for catching trout in Kansas this season.

5 Tips for Catching Trout in Kansas

1. Go Shallow

During colder Kansas weather, freshly stocked trout hang out near the shoreline and near shallow rocky structures. Trout in lakes respond to the same vertical and casting presentations used for catching bass and walleye.

Good lure choices include soft tubes, jerk shad, or paddletail swimbait.

2. Go Smaller

Trout metabolisms decrease during the winter months and the fish won’t expend as much energy chasing food. For this reason, try using small lures and bait. Retrieve very slowly.

Use trout dough, nibbles, salmon eggs, or even pieces of corn to entice a strike.

3. Go Brighter

Fish for trout with bright colored lures. You’ll want bait that catches a lot of light and stands out on cloudy days. They’ll be even more visible on sunny days.

A great color to start with is chartreuse. You might try other colors like white, orange, and pink. Shiny spoon lures also work well.

4. Go Later

During colder weather, the best time of day to fish for trout in the lake is midday through late afternoon. That’s good news for anglers who like to sleep in!

As we get later in Kansas’ trout fishing season, you might have some luck fishing in the morning and late afternoon. This is especially true if we have a warm spring.

5. Go Warmer

Trout fishing on warmer days may bring you better luck. As you know, Kansas weather can give you a taste of every season in one day. Keep your eye on the 10-day forecast and pick the warmest days to go fishing.

Trout eat more when the water temperature is comfortable. Between 34- and 67-degrees Fahrenheit. Trout feeding increases as water temps rise above 40-, 45-, and 49-degrees Fahrenheit.

Trout season is one of the most fun and exciting fishing seasons in Kansas. Once you get a strike and land a beautiful rainbow trout, you’ll be hooked! (Pun intended)

Bonus Trout Fishing Tip: Take a young angler with you. Introduce them to fishing during trout season and they just might be fishermen for the rest of their lives!

Kansas Lakes for Trout Fishing

Glen Elder State Park (Pond)

Lake Scott State Park (Barrel Spring Pond)

View Other Kansas Locations

5 Tips for Catching Trout in Kansas this Season