Mined Land Wildlife Area Fishing Information

Mined Land Wildlife Area Map
This Location does have Boat Access
Trout Lake
Fishing Forecast
Counties:
Surface Acres:
1,500 acres of water. More than 1,000 unique previously strip-mined lakes up to 50 acres in size.
Maximum Depth:
Each pit contains different depths. However, depths reaching 60 ft, such as the "Trout Pit" on Unit #30, are not uncommon.
Normal Lake Level:
N/A
Current Lake Level:
N/A

Nearby towns include Cherokee, Columbus, Oswego, Pittsburg, Scammon and West Mineral

Cherokee, Crawford, Neosho & Labette Counties

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, Mined Land Wildlife Area Office (Public Lands & Fisheries Biologist), 620-231-3173

Mined Land Wildlife Area

The Mined Land Wildlife Area is one of the most unique areas to fish in the state. Located in the southeast portion of Kansas, there are more than 1,000 unique previously strip-mined lakes that range in size from 0.5 acre to 50 acres. Depending on the method of how they were mined, strip pits vary in depth from shallow to deep with steep sided banks. The "Trout Pit" on Unit #30 was one of the first strip pits that was mined by Big Brutus. This pit has depths up to 60 ft deep. Another unique quality of the strip pits is the water clarity. Some pits have extremely clear water and clarity reaches up to 10 to even 15 feet. There are boat ramps located on selected strip pits. However, there are a few that are less accessible. Small watercraft and kayak anglers would find that the area is premiere for exploring pits that may not receive as much fishing pressure. Largemouth Bass, crappie, channel catfish, rainbow trout, brown trout, redear sunfish, bluegill, wiper, walleye, spotted bass, spotted gar... These are the main species that can be found inhabiting the strip pits.

NEW FOR 2022 -- A trout permit is required for all anglers fishing the "Trout Pit" on Unit #30 during the trout season December 1 through March 15. A trout permit is no longer required to fish the "Trout Pit" on Unit #30 from March 16 through November 30. You may still trout fish from March 16 through November 30 at the "Trout Pit" without a trout permit, but the limit of 5 trout a day and 15 in possession is still active. 

Fishing Forecast Information

View Fishing Forecast definitions

+Largemouth Bass Forecast

NAME Density Preferred Lunker Big fish Bio rating
LARGEMOUTH BASS          
  (>12") (>15") (>20") (lbs.) BR
ALMA CITY LAKE 154.66 60.67 0.00 3.03 E
ATCHISON CITY LAKE #23 131.96 81.37 5.29 5.66 E
COWLEY SFL 123.00 68.62 1.50 4.66 G
BUTLER SFL 117.75 55.00 3.75 6.39 G
GRIDLEY CITY LAKE 115.07 44.90 0.00 4.26 E
MCPHERSON SFL 110.07 47.80 2.19 5.65 G
PRATT COUNTY LAKE 104.43 59.44 0.00 4.75 G
ALTAMONT CITY LAKE-WEST 103.96 73.08 12.67 7.08 G
GARNETT CITY LAKE-NORTH 98.62 31.91 0.68 4.91 E
SABETHA-PONY CREEK LAKE 97.71 49.98 0.51 4.77 E
PLAINVILLE LAKE 95.55 22.50 1.39 6.43 G
LYON SFL 95.18 39.38 0.33 4.03 G
JEWELL SFL 94.39 34.06 4.98 6.13 G
WILSON SFL 94.28 29.37 0.99 5.09 G
ROOKS STATE LAKE 91.43 24.72 0.00 4.18 F
GARNETT CITY LAKE-SOUTH 87.05 31.89 0.65 5.26 E
HORTON-LITTLE LAKE 84.85 48.48 3.03 4.96 G
OSAGE CITY LAKE 81.75 31.42 2.18 7.16 E
MONTGOMERY SFL 75.43 36.46 2.06 5.61 G
NEOSHO SFL 75.01 40.20 4.99 6.15 E
GREAT BEND-STONE PARK LAKE 74.65 6.57 0.00 4.82 G
STERLING CITY LAKE 73.36 24.77 0.00 4.57 G
MOLINE OLD CITY LAKE-SOUTH 69.65 24.63 0.00 2.84 G
LOGAN CITY LAKE 68.89 38.59 0.00 3.89 F
YATES CENTER CITY LAKE-NEW 67.50 21.89 0.94 5.52 G
DOUGLAS SFL 66.82 6.93 0.33 6.46 G
SEVERY CITY LAKE 66.09 13.47 0.00 3.74 G
WASHINGTON SFL 65.55 32.89 1.11 6.65 G
THAYER CITY LAKE-NEW 64.00 18.00 0.00 3.21 G
EDNA CITY LAKE 61.76 0.00 0.00 1.22 F
ALTAMONT CITY LAKE-EAST 60.78 43.14 0.98 5.63 G
BARBER SFL 60.28 21.48 0.00 5.22 G
DOUGLAS CO-LONESTAR LAKE 60.15 18.78 0.33 4.93 G
POTTAWATOMIE SFL #1 59.69 8.57 0.43 4.75 G
MEADE SFL 58.33 52.03 2.39 6.93 F
LEAVENWORTH SFL 57.94 5.69 0.00 3.38 G
OLATHE-CEDAR LAKE 54.74 30.94 1.94 6.24 G
HOWARD-POLK DANIELS LAKE 53.65 32.41 1.50 5.08 G
BROWN SFL 53.36 43.50 5.46 7.59 G
SCOTT SFL 52.15 29.10 0.00 4.21 G
HOLTON-PRAIRIE LAKE 50.95 27.10 1.68 5.76 G
SHAWNEE SFL 50.65 6.89 1.36 5.80 G
HORTON-MISSION LAKE 47.06 23.53 3.68 5.86 F
MELVERN RIVER POND 47.02 24.43 0.00 4.44 G
GREAT BEND-VETS PARK LAKE 46.53 12.61 1.68 6.31 F
YATES CENTER-SOUTH OWL LAKE 46.52 23.21 0.00 4.43 G
WINFIELD CITY LAKE 46.23 22.94 0.71 7.01 F
OSAWATOMIE CITY LAKE 45.54 8.44 0.00 3.55 F
PLEASANTON EAST LAKE 43.75 13.24 0.00 3.47 G
GEARY SFL 43.55 23.27 0.00 5.29 G
PAOLA CITY LAKE-LAKE MIOLA 43.38 19.37 1.24 5.20 G
PLEASANTON WEST LAKE 41.18 24.26 1.47 5.16 G
POTTAWATOMIE CO LAKE 39.63 4.38 0.00 3.52 G
COLDWATER LAKE 39.31 27.99 0.00 4.56 F
GRAHAM CO-ANTELOPE LAKE 38.97 14.93 0.00 4.60 G
GARNETT-CEDAR CREEK LAKE 38.22 14.20 2.04 6.08 G
MINED LAND PIT 30F 38.00 21.00 1.00 4.72 G
LAKE ATWOOD 36.86 18.03 0.00 4.24 G
CRAWFORD SFL 36.42 17.46 1.25 5.66 G
ELLIS CITY LAKE 35.81 10.02 0.39 5.70 F
OSAGE SFL 35.43 7.05 0.27 4.65 G
KIOWA SFL 34.90 1.85 0.00 2.49 F
MADISON CITY LAKE 33.10 22.37 0.60 5.20 G
THAYER CITY LAKE-OLD 33.00 23.00 1.00 4.89 G
BANNER CREEK LAKE 32.94 9.65 0.00 4.33 F
LAKE SHAWNEE 32.80 9.87 0.45 6.83 G
BOURBON SFL 32.52 10.68 0.37 4.62 G
NEMAHA WILDLIFE AREA POND 32.15 29.00 0.62 5.55 F
GARDNER CITY LAKE 31.66 9.64 0.64 5.18 G
ANTHONY CITY LAKE 31.04 17.30 0.24 4.91 F
LAKE OLATHE 30.61 9.72 0.00 3.01 G
SPRING HILL CITY LAKE 30.44 10.37 0.00 4.50 G
WIFA-GRAHAM CO-TREXLER POND 29.90 9.69 0.00 2.59 F
POTTAWATOMIE SFL #2 29.71 3.04 0.00 3.91 F
CARBONDALE CITY LAKE-EAST 29.50 11.29 0.00 2.75 G
MARION COUNTY LAKE 29.44 5.11 0.00 3.98 G
BELLEVILLE-ROCKY POND 28.68 17.75 0.00 5.55 F
LAKE LENEXA 28.55 6.33 0.98 6.06 G
CLARK SFL 24.94 10.00 2.47 7.49 G
OTTAWA SFL 24.37 8.30 0.00 4.63 G
EUREKA CITY LAKE 23.44 5.96 0.69 5.07 G
CHASE SFL 23.33 4.67 0.00 4.35 G
WOODSON SFL 23.11 4.64 0.51 5.84 G
WELLINGTON-HARGIS CREEK LAKE 22.50 18.00 0.00 3.93 F
LOUISBURG CITY LAKE 22.35 3.53 2.35 4.83 F
WICHITA-KDOT WEST BORROW PIT 21.49 9.73 1.47 5.39 F
BONE CREEK LAKE 21.00 15.00 0.50 4.72 G
MINED LAND PIT 20A 21.00 17.00 2.00 4.71 G
SHERMAN CO-SMOKY HILL GARDEN 20.26 10.13 0.00 1.96 F
NEBO SFL 18.55 12.77 0.00 5.41 F
JEWELL CITY LAKE-EMERSON LAKE 18.00 6.00 0.00 3.44 P
CENTRALIA CITY LAKE 17.97 12.01 1.82 5.99 F
LEBO CITY LAKE 17.31 5.77 0.00 4.81 F
HORSETHIEF 16.79 6.43 0.00 4.45 F
ATCHISON SFL 16.46 8.73 0.00 4.50 F
WICHITA-CHISHOLM NORTH LAKE 14.71 6.47 0.00 4.96 F
MIAMI SFL 13.88 8.81 0.65 5.68 F
WICHITA-KDOT E. BORROW PIT 13.45 4.20 2.52 6.06 F
MIDDLE CREEK SFL 12.22 7.50 0.00 4.29 P
HARVEY COUNTY LAKE-WEST 10.65 7.85 0.00 4.38 P
LAKE AFTON 10.02 4.58 0.44 5.54 P
COUNCIL GROVE CITY LAKE 8.61 3.97 0.65 6.06 F
OLPE CITY LAKE 8.37 2.69 0.00 2.50 P
HARVEY COUNTY LAKE-EAST 4.46 2.67 0.00 3.55 P
WICHITA-K96 CRUISER LAKE 3.92 1.96 0.00 3.29 P
MOLINE NEW CITY LAKE-NORTH 3.28 1.49 0.00 2.81 P
ELWOOD WILDLIFE AREA POND 3.03 3.03 0.00 1.60 P
JEFFREY EC-AUXILIARY LAKE 1.76 1.12 0.00 3.15 P

+Black Bass Combined Forecast

Waterbody Density Preferred Lunker 3 yr avg Size Rating
Alma City Lake 154.66 60.67 0.00 3.03 Lake E
Atchison City Lake #23 131.96 81.37 5.29 5.66 Lake E
Cowley State Fishing Lake 123.00 68.62 1.50 4.66 Lake G
Butler State Fishing Lake 117.75 55.00 3.75 6.39 Lake G
Gridley City Lake 115.51 44.90 0.00 4.26 Lake E
Wilson State Fishing Lake 114.24 31.34 0.99 5.09 Lake G
McPherson State Fishing Lake 110.07 47.80 2.19 5.65 Lake G
Pratt County Lake 104.68 59.56 0.00 4.75 Lake G
Altamont City Lake-West 103.96 73.08 12.67 7.08 Lake G
Garnett City Lake-North 99.25 32.22 0.68 4.91 Lake E
Sabetha-Pony Creek Lake 97.71 49.98 0.51 4.77 Lake E
Lyon State Fishing Lake 96.17 40.04 0.33 4.03 Lake G
Plainville Lake 95.55 22.50 1.39 6.43 Lake G
Jewell State Fishing Lake 94.59 34.25 4.98 6.13 Lake G
Rooks State Lake 91.43 24.72 0.00 4.18 Lake F
Garnett City Lake-South 87.05 31.89 0.65 5.26 Lake E
Horton-Little Lake 84.85 48.48 3.03 4.96 Lake G
Osage City Lake 81.75 31.42 2.18 7.16 Lake E
Great Bend-Stone Park Lake 76.53 6.57 0.00 4.82 Lake G
Montgomery State Fishing Lake 75.43 36.46 2.06 5.61 Lake G
Neosho State Fishing Lake 75.01 40.20 4.99 6.15 Lake E
Sterling City Lake 73.36 24.77 0.00 4.57 Lake G
Moline Old City Lake-South 69.65 24.63 0.00 2.84 Lake G
Logan City Lake 68.89 38.59 0.00 3.89 Lake F
Yates Center City Lake-New 67.50 21.89 0.94 5.52 Lake G
Douglas State Fishing Lake 66.82 6.93 0.33 6.46 Lake G
Severy City Lake 66.09 13.47 0.00 3.74 Lake G
Washington State Fishing Lake 65.55 32.89 1.11 6.65 Lake G
Thayer City Lake-New 64.00 18.00 0.00 3.21 Lake G
Edna City Lake 61.76 0.00 0.00 1.22 Lake F
Altamont City Lake-East 60.78 43.14 0.98 5.63 Lake G
Barber State Fishing Lake 60.28 21.48 0.00 5.22 Lake F
Douglas Co-Lonestar Lake 60.15 18.78 0.33 4.93 Lake G
Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake #1 59.69 8.57 0.43 4.75 Lake G
Meade State Fishing Lake 58.33 52.03 2.39 6.93 Lake G
Leavenworth State Fishing Lake 57.94 5.69 0.00 3.38 Lake G
Howard-Polk Daniels Lake 54.76 33.16 1.50 5.08 Lake G
Olathe-Cedar Lake 54.74 30.94 1.94 6.24 Lake G
Brown State Fishing Lake 53.36 43.50 5.46 7.59 Lake G
Winfield City Lake 52.94 26.47 0.71 7.01 Lake F
Scott State Fishing Lake 52.15 29.10 0.00 4.21 Lake G
Holton-Prairie Lake 50.95 27.10 1.68 5.76 Lake G
Shawnee State Fishing Lake 50.65 6.89 1.36 5.80 Lake G
Melvern River Pond 47.39 24.43 0.00 4.44 Lake G
Horton-Mission Lake 47.06 23.53 3.68 5.86 Lake F
Great Bend-Vets Park Lake 46.53 12.61 1.68 6.31 Lake F
Yates Center-South Owl Lake 46.52 23.21 0.00 4.43 Lake G
Bourbon State Fishing Lake 45.87 11.41 0.37 4.62 Lake G
Osawatomie City Lake 45.54 8.44 0.00 3.55 Lake F
Geary State Fishing Lake 44.55 23.60 0.00 5.29 Lake G
Crawford State Fishing Lake 44.10 17.46 1.25 5.66 Lake G
Pleasanton East Lake 43.75 13.24 0.00 3.47 Lake G
Paola City Lake-Lake Miola 43.38 19.37 1.24 5.20 Lake G
Pleasanton West Lake 41.18 24.26 1.47 5.16 Lake G
Pottawatomie Co Lake 39.63 4.38 0.00 3.52 Lake G
Coldwater Lake 39.31 27.99 0.00 4.56 Lake G
Graham Co-Antelope Lake 38.97 14.93 0.00 4.60 Lake G
Garnett-Cedar Creek Lake 38.22 14.20 2.04 6.08 Lake G
Mined Land Pit 30F 38.00 21.00 1.00 4.72 Lake G
Lake Atwood 36.86 18.03 0.00 4.24 Lake G
Ellis City Lake 35.81 10.02 0.39 5.70 Lake F
Osage State Fishing Lake 35.43 7.05 0.27 4.65 Lake G
Kiowa State Fishing Lake 34.90 1.85 0.00 2.49 Lake G
Banner Creek Lake 34.12 9.65 0.00 4.33 Lake F
Lake Shawnee 33.48 10.33 0.45 6.83 Lake G
Madison City Lake 33.10 22.37 0.60 5.20 Lake G
Thayer City Lake-Old 33.00 23.00 1.00 4.89 Lake G
Marion County Lake 32.44 5.89 0.00 3.98 Lake G
Nemaha Wildlife Area Pond 32.15 29.00 0.62 5.55 Lake F
Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake #2 31.77 3.31 0.00 3.91 Lake F
Gardner City Lake 31.66 9.64 0.64 5.18 Lake F
Anthony City Lake 31.04 17.30 0.24 4.91 Lake F
Lake Olathe 30.61 9.72 0.00 3.01 Lake G
Spring Hill City Lake 30.44 10.37 0.00 4.50 Lake G
WIFA-Graham Co-Trexler Pond 29.90 9.69 0.00 2.59 Lake F
Carbondale City Lake-East 29.50 11.29 0.00 2.75 Lake G
Belleville-Rocky Pond 28.68 17.75 0.00 5.55 Lake F
Lake Lenexa 28.55 6.33 0.98 6.06 Lake G
Eureka City Lake 25.90 5.96 0.69 5.07 Lake G
Chase State Fishing Lake 25.00 4.67 0.00 4.35 Lake G
Clark State Fishing Lake 24.94 10.00 2.47 7.49 Lake G
Ottawa State Fishing Lake 24.37 8.30 0.00 4.63 Lake F
Woodson State Fishing Lake 23.11 4.64 0.51 5.84 Lake G
Wellington-Hargis Creek Lake 22.50 18.00 0.00 3.93 Lake F
Louisburg City Lake 22.35 3.53 2.35 4.83 Lake F
Wichita-KDOT W. Borrow Pit 21.49 9.73 1.47 5.39 Lake F
Bone Creek Lake 21.00 15.00 0.50 4.72 Lake G
Mined Land Pit 20A 21.00 17.00 2.00 4.71 Lake G
Sherman Co-Smoky Hill Garden 20.26 10.13 0.00 1.96 Lake F
Nebo State Fishing Lake 18.55 12.77 0.00 5.41 Lake F
Jewell City Lake-Emerson Lake 18.00 6.00 0.00 3.44 Lake P
Centralia City Lake 17.97 12.01 1.82 5.99 Lake F
Lebo City Lake 17.31 5.77 0.00 4.81 Lake F
Horsethief Reservoir 16.79 6.43 0.00 4.45 Lake F
Atchison State Fishing Lake 16.46 8.73 0.00 4.50 Lake F
Wichita-Chisholm North Lake 14.71 6.47 0.00 4.96 Lake F
Miami State Fishing Lake 13.88 8.81 0.65 5.68 Lake G
Wichita-KDOT E. Borrow Pit 13.45 4.20 2.52 6.06 Lake F
Council Grove City Lake 12.91 4.30 0.65 6.06 Lake F
Middle Creek State Fishing Lake 12.22 7.50 0.00 4.29 Lake P
Harvey County Lake-West 10.65 7.85 0.00 4.38 Lake P
Lake Afton 10.02 4.58 0.44 5.54 Lake P
Olpe City Lake 8.37 2.69 0.00 2.50 Lake P
Harvey County Lake-East 4.46 2.67 0.00 3.55 Lake P
Wichita-K96 Cruiser Lake 3.92 1.96 0.00 3.29 Lake P
Jeffrey Energy Center-Auxiliary Lake 3.51 1.97 0.00 3.15 Lake F
Moline New City Lake-North 3.28 1.49 0.00 2.81 Lake P
Elwood Wildlife Area Pond 3.03 3.03 0.00 1.60 Lake P
Jeffrey Energy Center-Make Up Lake 1.10 1.10 0.00 2.19 Lake P
Map Information