While people may think of Kansas as a flat land on the North American prairie with little variety, that’s not true. Kansas has numerous ponds and lakes, in addition to its native green grassland vistas, boasting many activities to enjoy year-round under the abundant blue skies. Our Crème de la Crème team invites you to explore these nine waterways around Leawood, Kansas, if you’re looking for a great spot to fish or kayak.

Remember to check with the Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department to find out what fishing or boating permits are required with each park.

Shawnee Mission Park Marina

Fishing at Shawnee Mission Park by Benjamin White is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

Shawnee Mission Park Marina offers a variety of rentals to enjoy, including kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and pedal boats. There’s also a beach for swimming and lounging in Shawnee Mission Park. You can enjoy boating activities with your whole family within these age requirements:

• You must be over 12 years or older to rent equipment.
• Participants must be 12 years or older to occupy a boat without a parent or guardian. 
• Children under 12 must have a parent or guardian in the same boat.

A day on the water awaits you at 7900 Renner Road in Shawnee, with the summer season beginning May 7 and ending September 5. Hours of operation and boat rental times vary.

Lake Olathe Park

Make a trip to Lake Olathe Park and come through the main entrance at 191 N. Ward Cliff Drive in Olathe, Kansas, for the marina with all kinds of boating and a beach for swimming. Lake Olathe is 170 acres and is set amidst a 258-acre community park. Lake Olathe Park has kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and pedal boats available for rent at the marina. The Swim Beach features a floating obstacle course known as The Aqua Park. 

Visitors are welcome to bring beach chairs, umbrellas, and coolers with food or non-alcoholic beverages. Access to Lake Olathe is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The marina, Swim Beach, and Aqua Park are closed for the season but will reopen in the summer.

Kill Creek Park

Anglers searching for a large lake perfect for fishing should head to Kill Creek Park at 11670 Homestead Lane in Olathe, all set within an 897-acre park. In October and February, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout, so you can be sure of a good catch. In addition to the lake, there’s a small fishing pond.

The Kill Creek Park marina offers kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and canoe rentals on Thursdays and Fridays from June 2 through September 5. The park is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the winter from November 1 to February 28, and 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the summer from March 1 to October 31.

Heritage Park

This 40-acre lake is located within Heritage Park at 16050 Pflumm Road in Olathe and is a lovely spot for boating. It’s also ADA Accessible so that everyone can enjoy it. Picnic Shelters are available if you want to pack a lunch to enjoy during your boating trip, and there’s a playground for the kids. 

This 1,234-acre park also includes an off-leash dog park, an outdoor exercise equipment area, disc golf and regular golf courses and driving ranges, and football, softball, and soccer fields. The park is open for the winter from November 1 to February 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and summer from March 1 to October 31 from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Lexington Lake Park

Head to Lexington Lake Park at 9000 Sunflower Road in De Soto, Kansas, for boating. Lexington Lake spans 27 acres, allowing plenty of space for all watercraft to roam, including kayaks, canoes, sailboards, rafts, multi-chambered inflatable boats, and paddleboards. The park only permits electric engines, with no gas-powered boats permitted. 

The lake has a boat ramp and a courtesy dock with parking. Winter hours from November 1 to February 28 are 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and summer hours from March 1 to October 31 are 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Fishing Spots in the City of Lenexa

The City of Lenexa, Kansas has an abundance of family-friendly fishing spots, thanks partly to the Community Fisheries Assistance Program. CFAP stocks many of the area’s lakes with fish and provide free fishing access to anyone with a Kansas state fishing license, which is required for anyone aged 16 to 74. 

Black Hoof Park

A prime fishing spot in this park is Lake Lenexa at 9053 Monticello Road in Lenexa. The lake has a surface area of 30 acres and is known to contain bluegill, largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish, and black crappies. There is a public boat ramp near the south entrance off Monticello Road to unload your boat, which must be non-gas powered. Class 1 boats under 26 feet in length are permitted with boating hours as follows:

• November through February: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• March, April, September, and October: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• May through August: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hidden Woods Park

Hidden Woods Park at 12241 W. 83rd St. in Lenexa spans 16.3 acres and features a pond with a small dock. The pond is stocked with bluegill, channel catfish, and sunfish. You can visit Hidden Woods Park from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Rose’s Pond

Rose’s Pond is located within the 50.9-acre Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park at W. 87th Street Parkway in Lenexa and is stocked with sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Mize Lake

Mize Lake at the 74-acre Cedar Station Park on Prairie Star Parkway in Lenexa has a paved trail around the lake to scout out your perfect fishing spot. There are beautiful views of nature as you fish, and the summer brings blooming wildflowers to the park. The lake is stocked with various fish, including bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and sunfish. Enjoy fishing in Mize Lake at Cedar Station Park anytime between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Our Crème de la Crème of Leawood team hopes you’re inspired to explore the great outdoors around Leawood, Kansas. There’s no better place to be for swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing with your family.