Atchison State Fishing Lake
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 13, 2025
Atchison State Fishing Lake is a popular recreational destination located in north-central Kansas.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
It provides opportunities for fishing, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, and crappie, making it an ideal spot for anglers.
The park also features a nature trail that winds through a wooded area, providing visitors with opportunities to observe various bird species and other wildlife. Another point of interest is the historic Atchison Santa Fe Depot, which has been renovated and used as a community center for events.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the site was once used as a limestone quarry, and that it was later developed into a park by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
The best time to visit Atchison State Fishing Lake is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild, and fishing is at its best. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy camping, wildlife viewing, and other activities during the summer months as well.
Overall, Atchison State Fishing Lake is a great place to visit for those looking for a peaceful retreat in a beautiful natural setting.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References