Best Fishing Times in Kansas This Week
Near Junction City, El Dorado and Hays: today on a 24 hour timeline and the next seven days rated Fair to Best.
Working out the moon and the sun for Junction City, KS, and reading the forecast.
Fishing somewhere else? Enter any ZIP for your own spot
Photo: “Fall fishing on the Madison River at sunrise”, Jacob W. Frank, Yellowstone National Park (NPS), Public domain
Kansas at a glance
Solunar windows plus the agency calendarWhen fish bite in Kansas
Kansas fishing runs year round, with crappie moving shallow in spring, paddlefish snagging March 15 to May 15, crappie schooling deep in late fall, and trout season December 1 to March 31.
Each entry below is from Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks or its published guides, quoted word for word and linked. Line the season up with the week above: a run in its prime and a Great day with a window at first light is the morning to take off.
- Spring
Crappie
Crappie move shallow when water reaches the mid 50s and spawn once it reaches 60 to 65 degrees.
“Crappie move to shallow areas when water temperatures reach the mid-50s and wait to spawn at water temperatures of 60-65 degrees.”
MAY MEANS CRAPPIE TIME, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, read October 9, 2026 - March 15 to May 15
Paddlefish
Kansas paddlefish snagging season runs March 15 through May 15 each year.
“Paddlefish Snagging Season March 15 through May 15 each year.”
When to Fish | Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, read October 9, 2026 - Late fall
Crappie
In late fall, when water cools to the low 50s or high 40s, reservoir crappie gather in large schools over deep brush piles and creek channel drop offs.
“When water temperatures cool to the low 50s or high 40s in late fall, it’s time to catch Kansas crappie. Reservoir crappie congregate in large schools over deep brushpiles and creek channel dropoffs at this time.”
FALL FISHING COMPLEMENTS HUNTING SEASONS, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, read October 9, 2026 - December 1 to March 31
Trout
Kansas trout season runs December 1 through March 31 each year.
“Trout Season December 1 through March 31 each year.”
When to Fish | Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, read October 9, 2026
Reading the Kansas timeline
Each day has two major solunar periods of about two hours, centered on the moon overhead and underfoot, and two minor periods of about an hour at moonrise and moonset. A window within an hour of sunrise or sunset is marked in gold. The rating adds the moon phase, the gold windows and a capped nudge from the National Weather Service forecast for each town. Every factor and its points.
Dawn and dusk are the reliable part; the moon windows are the old angler’s rule.
