Kansas
Kansas River at Topeka
Current River Rating
Excellent · 90
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Saturday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1840 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.51 ft
- Water Temperature
- 85.5 °F
- Latest current reading
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 06888990 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
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Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
76°F
Feels like
79°F
Wind
5 mph E
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 7 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 90°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 100°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 7 PM
Clear
Temp 97°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 11 PM
Clear
Temp 84°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 101°F / Low 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 101°F / Low 73°F
Chance 19%
Precip 0.07 in
Max gust 37 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 100°F / Low 73°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 38 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 109°F / Low 78°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 36 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Kansas River at Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065). USGS 06888990 Kansas River above Topeka Weir is the bounded public reach at the state capital. KDWP names the Kansas River as one of three navigable public rivers, with channel and flathead catfish the material fishery. Not a generic Kansas River — Kansas pin, not USGS 06887500 at Wamego, not Big Blue 06887000, and not Colorado Arkansas River at Salida.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Kansas River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Kansas River at Topeka is the bounded public Kaw reach at the state capital. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 06888990 using live water temperature, discharge, and stage. KDWP treats the Kansas River as a navigable public catfish river; this pin is the Topeka weir reach, not a statewide mainstem, not Wamego, and not the Big Blue below Tuttle Creek.
Target species
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
KDWP fishing-in-Kansas: channel catfish are the statewide river staple and remain a primary Kansas River target. USGS 06888990 live 00010/00060. Not Milford Reservoir and not the Arkansas River at Coolidge.
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
KDWP: truly large flatheads come from larger rivers in the eastern half of the state. The navigable Kansas River at Topeka is that class of water. Not a reservoir pin.
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
KDWP river and reservoir catfish complex includes blue catfish. Present on this Topeka reach; reservoir specials at Milford and Clinton are not this river.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Large prairie mainstem of the Kansas (Kaw) River at Topeka Weir in Shawnee County. Urban/public river access with weir, channel, and bank habitat. USGS 06888990 sits on this reach. Distinct from Wamego 06887500 and from reservoir tailwaters upstream.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
KDWP identifies the Kansas River as a navigable public river; access through private land still requires permission. Catalog coordinates are USGS 06888990 above Topeka Weir, not a verified put-in pin. Confirm current city, USACE, and KDWP access rules at Topeka.
Stocking information
KDWP does not publish a destination-named Kansas River trout stocking calendar. Reservoir and urban channel-catfish plants are separate waters. Confirm current official KDWP stocking notices.
Official sources
Kansas statewide inland fishing regulations apply on the navigable Kansas River. Confirm current KDWP length and creel limits, bait rules, and Topeka municipal access restrictions. Distinct from Milford Reservoir specials and from Colorado Arkansas River Gold Medal rules.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Shawnee, Kansas
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Shawnee
Management Category
Navigable prairie mainstem
Regulation Scope
Kansas River at Topeka
Regulation Summary
Kansas River at Topeka: KDWP statewide inland fishing regulations on the navigable Kansas River. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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