St. Francis Keller Lake in Kansas is a great location for fishing enthusiasts. It's known for its abundant catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, and picnicking at the lake's facilities. Fishing tips include using live bait and lures, and fishing near underwater structures and drop-offs. The best time of the year to visit is during the spring or fall, with temperatures ranging from 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, summer can also be a great time to fish, with temperatures averaging around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is an abundant species and is important both commercially and as a sport fish. Black crappies are easily caught, often as fast as the hook can be rebaited. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: Though they show a definite family resemblance, they are distinctive enough that they shouldn’t be confused with any other species. The black crappie and the white crappie are most often confused with each other. Despite their common names, both species are the same color (dark olive or black dorsally with silvery sides) and both have spots on the sides. However, the pattern of the spotting is distinctly different. In the black crappie the spots are more or less irregular and scattered while in the white crappie the spots may be more vague and are clearly arranged into 7-9 vertical bars on the sides. Another distinction; the black crappie has 7-8 dorsal spines while the white crappie has only 6, the same number as in its anal fin. In body shape the black crappie’s is somewhat deeper than the white crappie.
Camping Area | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers |
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Wagon Wheel - Bonny Lake State Park | 87 | |||
East Beach - Bonny Lake State Park | ||||
North Cove - Bonny Lake State Park | 21 | |||
Beymer Water Recreation Park | 8 | |||
Atwood Lions Club Park | 9 | |||
St. Francis City Campground | ||||
Atwood Lions Park | ||||
Syracuse Sand Dunes | ||||
Foster Grove - Bonny Lake State Park | 49 | |||
Swanson Reservoir State Rec Area | 200 |