Smoky Hill River
Smoky Hill River
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 25
The Smoky Hill River flows 560 miles through Colorado and Kansas, originating in the High Plains region of eastern Colorado and flowing eastward through diverse landscapes before merging with the Republican River in Junction City, Kansas, to form the Kansas River. This dynamic river system supports over 40 fish species and provides varied fishing opportunities from its upper reaches through multiple reservoirs and free-flowing sections. The river's character changes significantly along its course, from the clear, shallow waters of the upper sections to the deeper pools and channels of the lower reaches, creating diverse habitats that support different fish communities and angling opportunities throughout its length.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Smoky Hill River and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Blue Sucker
Cycleptus elongatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Orangespotted Sunfish
Lepomis humilis
Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
River Carpsucker
Carpiodes carpio
Shorthead Redhorse Sucker
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Shortnose Gar
Lepisosteus platostomus
Smallmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus bubalus
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Smoky Hill River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Smoky Hill River
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Kansas licenses and regulations
Kansas Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Kansas Fishing License
Anglers age 16 through 74, who have been bona fide residents of the state for 60 days immediately prior to buying a license, must have a resident license in possession while fishing in Kansas. All nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid nonresident license to fish in Kansas (unless fishing on a private pond not leased for public fishing). All licenses expire 365 days from the date of purchase, except for multi-year, five-day, lifetime, and one-day fishing licenses.
Kansas Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Kansas Stream Access Laws
Most streams and rivers in Kansas are privately owned. The public rivers are the Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. They are open to the public between the ordinary high water marks on each bank. This is the line that can be seen where high water has left debris, sand, and gravel during its ordinary annual cycle. When these rivers flow through private land, permission is needed from adjacent landowners to access the rivers as well as when picnicking, camping, portaging or engaging in any other activity on the adjacent private lands. Except where they pass through the legal limits of a government entity, the rest of our streams and rivers are privately owned, and permission is needed from the landowners to access and use the streams and adjacent lands for any purpose.
Take Smoky Hill River with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Smoky Hill River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Smoky Hill River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Smoky Hill River and check the forecast before you go.
SMOKY HILL R NR SCHOENCHEN, KS
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