What to know about fishing and boating in Lenexa

What to know about fishing and boating in Lenexa
Posted on 04/17/2020
father and son fishingHooked on fishing or boating? These outdoor activities can be good for your mental health, and there are opportunities to enjoy both in Lenexa. During the COVID-19 outbreak, our ponds and lakes remain open for recreation.

Here’s what you need to know

  1. Getting outdoors and fishing can be good for your mental health.

  2. Please follow the safe social distancing guidelines to help limit the spread of COVID-19, including when fishing from the shore.

  3. Do not fish if you are feeling ill.

  4. Do not share your fishing gear with others.

  5. Fish alone or with members of your household only while stay-at-home orders are in effect.

  6. Avoid crowding other anglers. If your favorite spot is already taken, find a new one or come back later.

Fishing and boating FAQs

Here are answers to other questions Lenexa Parks & Recreation staff are commonly asked about fishing and boating.

Q. Do I need a fishing license?
A. Residents ages 16–74 must have a license to fish in Kansas. If you are going to take a child fishing, buy a license for yourself because you’ll end up with the pole in your hand. Purchase your license at kshuntfishcamp.com to help avoid crowds.

Q. Where and when can I fish in Lenexa?
A. You can fish during posted park hours — 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. — at Lake Lenexa at Black Hoof Park, Hidden Woods Park (83rd Street and Halsey Street), Rose’s Pond at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (87th Street Parkway and Lackman Road) and Mize Lake at Cedar Station Park (south of Prairie Star Parkway and Canyon Creek Boulevard. 

Q. Does Lenexa stock its lake and ponds with fish?
A.
Yes, we partner with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Stocked fish include channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, sunfish and largemouth bass.

Q. What other fishing rules do I need to follow?
A.
We enforce state creel limits, which are posted and vary by location. You may enter the cove areas of lakes if you have appropriate wading gear, but no wading in shallow waters. Please observe any posted “No Fishing” signs. Ice fishing and magnet fishing (searching for submerged metal objects) are not allowed.

Q. Do I need to register my boat?
A.
The State of Kansas requires that all vessels powered by motor (gasoline, diesel, or electric) or sail be registered and numbered. Learn more at KSOutdoors.com.

Q. Where and when can I use a boat in Lenexa?
A.
Non-gas-powered boating only is allowed at Lake Lenexa in Black Hoof Park (9053 Monticello Rd.). Acceptable boats include those that are class 1 (26 feet in length) or smaller. Boating hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through February, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in March, April, September and October, and 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. May through August.

Q. What other boating rules do I need to follow?
A.
You must use personal flotation devices. The entire lake is a no-wake zone. We follow all Kansas boating regulations. You must launch all watercraft from a public boat ramp located near the south entrance off Monticello Road. 

Photo credit: Bill Harrison, Black Hoof Park


Published April 17, 2020