Goodman State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, near Ness City, Kansas. Photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Goodman State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area in Ness County, Kansas, contains a 40-acre lake and a 225-acre upland wildlife area.
The lake is a prime spot for picnicking, fishing, hunting, primitive camping, and general outdoor recreation. Picnic shelters with tables are available for group activities and are located within easy walking distance.
Fishing:
Fishing opportunities at Goodman are great, with the potential to catch largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and redear. Because of water level conditions, the growth of largemouth bass and channel catfish fluctuates, but they are generally in good condition. However, the bluegill and redear enthusiasts should have no trouble catching a nice stringer of panfish.
Because the property is a relatively recent acquisition, hunters will find the area to be somewhat limited in hunting potential. This is primarily the result of the lack of habitat diversity in the area. However, the hunter should be able to scare up an occasional pheasant or quail in the foodplot and tree plantings site along the west edge of the property. Hunting opportunity and success can only get better as more habitat diversity is added to the area through additional tree and shrub plantings.
The 265-acre property is owned by the Wet Walnut Watershed District No. 58. The property is managed by the state, but is in a cooperative agreement with the Watershed District and Ness County. The Soil Conservation Service assisted in the construction of the lake.
Goodman State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is located five miles south and 2.5 miles east of Ness City, Kansas.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, September 2025.
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