Rooks State Fishing Lake

Lake News
Facilities
Rooks ADA Compliant

The lake periodically goes dry due to irregular inflows. When the lake is dry, portions of the area are closed to minimize maintenance costs. A camping area located by the boat ramp and toilet remains open for use.

The lake is open year round, except during dry periods, for fishing with a portion of the area closed from Nov. 1 to Mar. 1 to hunting and vehicles to enhance wildlife related opportunities and reduce litter and vandalism that have historically occurred during periods of low use. Alcoholic and cereal malt beverages are not allowed on the area.

FISHING
The fishery is managed to facilitate the fluctuating lake level. Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass and redear sunfish are stocked each time the lake fills. The fish then grow fast in the nutrient rich water providing good fishing opportunities for the remainder of each lake life span.

BOATING
Motorized boats are allowed on the lake for fishing activities only. The lake is small, so a no wake speed is recommended. A concrete boat ramp and floating dock are located in the northeast corner of the lake. Be aware of flooded vegetation due to water level fluctuation.

WILDLIFE
A diversity of both game and non-game species can be found, but due to the small size of the area, their numbers are relatively low.
Consequently, hunting opportunities are limited since wildlife is either quickly harvested or driven off the area. Some sporadic good hunts are possible as wildlife moves on and off the area.
Both whitetail and mule deer are present, but populations are low. A few turkeys can also be found on the area long the riparian zone. Upland game birds present on the area include pheasant and quail.
Other wildlife that utilizes the area includes coyotes, badgers, mink, rodents, raptors, song birds, waterfowl, and shore birds as well as a variety of amphibians and reptiles native to the region.

CAMPING
Camping is allowed in the four designated camping areas along the east shoreline of the lake. A vault toilet is located near the boat ramp. A walk way facilitates access from the shelter house to the toilet.

PICNICKING
Picnic tables are located in the campgrounds around the lake. One group shelter is available.

County/Counties:

Manager: Joe Lambert

Fish Biologist: Mark Shaw

Webster Area Office: 1140 10 Road - Stockton, KS 67669

Area Location: 2 1/2 miles South and 2 miles West of Stockton, KS.

Google Earth of the entire area is available:

Rooks SFL Google Earth (kmz file)

Lake News - Updated: 06/13/2022

Rooks Area Map

Fall Hunting Forecast:

Dove; some doves may be harvested near trees associated with creek drainage.

Upland birds; a limited number of quail and a few pheasants are present.

Turkey; opportunities exist to harvest a turkey in the fall as birds travel along the drainage.

Deer; white-tail and occasionally mule deer are present on the area.

Spring Hunting Forecast:

Turkey; Limited opportunities exist to harvest a turkey in the spring. However, success is directly proportional to the amount of hunting pressure. As hunting pressure increases, turkeys are pushed off the area and success decreases.

If you have questions, please contact Joe Lambert, Area Manager at 785-425-6775 or at joe.lambert@ks.gov

General Information
County/Counties:


Manager: Joe Lambert

Fish Biologist: Mark Shaw

Webster Area Office: 1140 10 Road - Stockton, KS 67669

Area Location: 2 1/2 miles South and 2 miles West of Stockton, KS.

Google Earth of the entire area is available:

Rooks SFL Google Earth (kmz file)


Special Regulations
  • An information shelter is located near the boat ramp providing current information and regulations
  • A no trash policy is in effect, so please pack home everything you pack in.
  • Vehicles are only allowed on maintained roads and parking lots.
  • No alcoholic or cereal malt beverages allowed.

OUTDOOR ALERT

Turn in polluters, poachers, unsafe boaters, and public land vandals.
Call: 1 800-228-4263

Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.

History

Rooks State Fishing Lake is located 2 1/2 miles south and 2 miles west miles of Stockton. The property is managed by Ks. Department of Wildlife and Parks and comprises 67 acres of water and 246 acres of land. The lake dates back to 1934, when it was built by the Works Progress Administration and the State Forestry, Fish, and Game Commission.

Rooks Facilities
Parking area
  • Type of Facility: Parking Area
  • Location of Facility: N39 24 01.71 W99 19 20.72
  • Click for more information
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    Located at the West Side


Parking area
  • Type of Facility: Parking Area
  • Location of Facility: N39 23 47.19 W99 18 54.49
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>Located at the South Entry Point</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    Located at the South Entry Point


Kiosk
  • Type of Facility: Information Center
  • This facility is ADA accessible
  • Location of Facility: N39 24 10.67 W99 18 54.18
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>Information shelter located at the North Entry Point</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    Information shelter located at the North Entry Point


Group shelter
  • Type of Facility: Group Shelter
  • This facility is ADA accessible
  • Location of Facility: N39 24 05.46 W99 18 56.59
  • This Facility is Reservable.
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>Open air shelter located at the Middle Entry Point</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    Open air shelter located at the Middle Entry Point


Toilet
  • Type of Facility: Vault Toilet
  • This facility is ADA accessible
  • Location of Facility: N39 24 08.98 W99 18 56.96
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>Unisex toilet located at the North Entry Point</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    Unisex toilet located at the North Entry Point


Boat Ramp
  • Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
  • This facility is ADA accessible
  • Location of Facility: N39 24 09.18 W99 18 58.95
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>Has ADA Dock. Located at the North Entry Point</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    Has ADA Dock. Located at the North Entry Point