hey sscasteele or any other memebers in the olathe area what kinda fishing you all have available there looking for places to fish with my 81 yo dad that are fairly easy to get nto from st louis and maybe hook up with a member that knows the area so i can help keep down the cost. it will need to be a place we can rent a boat if needed or someplace with good shore fishing oppertunities any and all help appreciated. would be looking at 2-3 day trip this fall or next spring. any type fishing is ok but pop would like to get into crappie hot and heavy sometime if that is an option.thanks in advance for your help

Duckman: Maybe we are destined to meet in Kansas. My wife has family there and we want to go back for a visit when things are less confusing than the last trip for our  nieces' graduations. If you check some of the old posts scasteel has an address up and he seems to know the area. Also check the Kansas web site, lots of fishing info there! Tom

Hello Duckman,... nailing down a time when you are in Olathe, Ks. would be of the best help.
Then I can help you on what type fishing you may be able to do. Hopefully I can get you to an area where you can catch fish.

If you are wanting to seriously fish for Crappie and want to rent a boat, the only place I know of is about 30 miles South of Olathe. / Off 169  hwy South = HILLSDALE Lake. 

At Hillsdale, Ks. They now have a Hllsdale Marina [Southwest end of lake] Scott's Branch area, ///  used to be called the "Jayhawker" Ramp. /// I think name has changed.
Always had my own boat before but don't anymore, and I have no idea what they charge for daily boat/motor rental.

There is a Shawnee-Mission Park and Lake just a few miles North of Olathe, Ks, but not sure if they rent boats at any of their fishing lakes.

And there is several small parks and lakes around Olathe one can easily fish from the bank.

I suggest contacting either The Olathe City Council tourism division, or The KS. State Parks and Wildlife  Dept. for info on fishing areas around Olathe.

My contact info:  sscasteel@msn.com   or [816] 326-7891.

thanks for the info not certain yet but looks like spring is gonna be our best shot at making it mout there gives us a little time to plan also.

Hi Duckman, Steve asked me to add my knowledge of fishing Olathe. The good news is, there are lots of places to fish. The bad news is, I don't think I've ever caught a crappie in Olathe, access is difficult, and there is no boat rental. Steve may be right about Hillsdale renting boats, but I don't think they do anymore. If you want to catch crappie and rent a boat go here: Click Here I believe it is the closest and you can just fish off the dock and do pretty well, nearly all year round. the bit drawback is the additional fishing permits.

Hi Duckman, Steve asked me to add my knowledge of fishing Olathe. The good news is, there are lots of places to fish. The bad news is, I don't think I've ever caught a crappie in Olathe, access is difficult, and there is no boat rental. Steve may be right about Hillsdale renting boats, but I don't think they do anymore. If you want to catch crappie and rent a boat go here: Click Here I believe it is the closest and you can just fish off the dock and do pretty well, nearly all year round. the bit drawback is the additional fishing permits.

Hi Duckman, Steve asked me to add my knowledge of fishing Olathe. The good news is, there are lots of places to fish. The bad news is, I don't think I've ever caught a crappie in Olathe, access is difficult, and there is no boat rental. Steve may be right about Hillsdale renting boats, but I don't think they do anymore. If you want to catch crappie and rent a boat go here: Click Here I believe it is the closest and you can just fish off the dock and do pretty well, nearly all year round. the bit drawback is the additional fishing permits.

There is also a place called Cedar Creek in Olathe that is located at 151st and Lone Elm. I had a lot of luck here during the crappie spawn, but things could be different now that the water temp is in the high 80's or low 90's. Also, it is a decent place to bank fish, but it would be great for a canoe or kayak.

I think we should pick a weekend and a lake and all meet in the spring. Sometime in May ought to put us in the crappie spawn. Cedar lake is not far from my niece's house just south of the Garmin HQ. Tom

thanks guys i agree with pegsguy that maybe we can get something going in the spring. as far as lake jacoma rodrigo tjat is a possiblity as i do live in mo. thanks i had completely forgot about that one

The Kansas DNR (or whatever it's called) site still refers to Hillsdale as Jayhawk. I can get on board for a trip next spring, but as I will be traveling a bit, it will have to be 1 state. 2 out of state licenses probably aren't in the budget unless I find work soon. Because of where I live I am already commited to an Il and a Wi license, so I have to pick my battles with the family treasurer. Tom

Pegsguy,... Maybe I can offer the "Family Treasurer " some good info for you.  It depends on how many days/nights you plan on being in Olathe, Ks.

Looking in my 2010 KS rule book, The current prices of KS. fishing licenses [age 16 and up] are as follows:

Daily = 24 hrs. / $5.50 - Resident and nonresidents.
May be best if you don't want to fish every day !!

5 day permit /  nonresident = $22.50 each.  
Best if you are there a week, 5 days, // then buy daily permit if you fish a 6th or 7th day. 

Annual permit / non resident [like I get] = $42.50 ea. //  Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

I doubt the prices will change, but they might a little bit. [a buck or two  ]  It would be best to check license prices / say on Jan 5th, 2011. Then plan accordingly.

I found the KS website, the nonres prices are not all that bad. I just can't spend $25 each for licenses in two states on a weekend trip! Last time I fished Mo. they had a daily, is it still available? Maybe by spring I'll be back at work and it won't matter! Tom