Osage State Fishing Lake facts for kids
Osage State Fishing Lake is a cool, man-made lake in northern Osage County, Kansas. It was built in 1955. This lake is a great spot for outdoor fun! It covers about 140 acres of water. The park around the lake is even bigger, with 366 acres of land. Most of this land is beautiful tall grass prairie with some wooded areas. The State of Kansas owns this lake, making it a public place for everyone to enjoy.
Quick facts for kids Osage State Fishing Lake |
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 Osage State Fishing Lake
Location in Kansas
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| Location | Osage County, Kansas |
| Coordinates | 38°45′55″N 95°40′18″W / 38.76528°N 95.67167°W |
| Type | man-made lake |
| Surface area | 140 ares (150,000 sq ft) |
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Osage State Fishing Lake
This lake is located about one mile east of US 75. The town of Scranton, Kansas is to the northwest. Overbrook, Kansas is to the northeast. It's a great spot for outdoor adventures.
Fun Things to Do
You can enjoy many activities at Osage State Fishing Lake.
- Fishing: The lake is known for its great fishing! You can catch different kinds of fish here. Fishing for channel catfish is excellent. You can also find largemouth bass and bluegill, which are good to catch too.
- Boating: You can bring your boat and explore the lake. There's a boat ramp near the dam.
- Hiking: Even though there are no official hiking trails, you can still walk around. The park roads offer a way to explore the area.
- Camping: If you love spending time outdoors, you can pitch a tent here. There are three areas on the west side of the lake for camping.
- Hunting: In certain parts of the park, hunting is allowed during specific times of the year.
Important Note: Swimming is not allowed in Osage State Fishing Lake.
Getting Around the Lake
Gravel roads go almost all the way around Osage Lake. These roads stop at the dam on the south end. Be careful in the southeast part of the lake. Some roads there are very close to the water. They can flood easily. If the water rises, vehicles might get stuck until the water goes down. Always check the water levels before driving in this area.
Lake Features and History
Osage State Fishing Lake has several helpful features for visitors:
- Restrooms: There are two public restrooms on the west side of the lake.
- Fishing Piers: You'll find 14 fishing piers made of earth and rock. These piers stick out into the lake. Ten are on the west side, and four are on the east side. They are perfect for casting your line!
- Boat Ramp: A boat ramp is located just north of the dam, in the southwest corner of the lake. This makes it easy to launch your boat.
Long ago, in the 1800s, the famous Santa Fe Trail passed through this area. This was a very important route for wagons and travelers. You can still see ruts from those old wagons on the north edge of the lake property. They are easiest to spot in winter when plants have died down. You can even see them in satellite pictures!
