Lyon State Fishing Lake, KS

----- KID FRIENDLY ----- this lake has a lot of easy shore fishing area. It has lots of rocky, weeded, and brush areas where small panfish can be caught.

GEAR -------------- FOR KIDS Economical yet a reel that can be used for a long time is the Zebco 33. It might not be looked on as a "Beginning Kids Reel" but it is lightweight, very easy to use, and economical in the sense of getting a real that is not going to break within a few uses. ((((Suggestion)))) ---- if it seems to be dirty and giving you a bit of trouble while fishing just immerse it in the water and then give it a few shakes to get the water out. Many times this will get enough dust or dirt out of the reel letting it get back to smoother casting and reeling.

Hook size is important. I would suggest hook size to use to be either an 8 or the largest being a 6. I prefer short shanks and not long. A small fly is also a great bluegill bait especially along the shores of a lake --- fish it around rocks and along the edges of weeds, trees or rocks. Use 4 or 6 pound line - no bigger. If using live bait and a small hook start out with (parts) worms. Just cover the HOOK and put a small bobber a foot or two above the bait.

Using a fly. I love using a fly put below a bobber the same distance as when using live bait near shallow areas along the shore or just near the edges of trees and weed lines near the shore.

This is a great way to train children how to cast. When they reel the fly back at a slow speed those bluegill that see the fly many times will take the fly thinking it to be an insect. They usually take it hard enough to set the hook in their mouth without the fisherman/woman having to help set the hook by pulling back on the rod in a firm way.

CAST "SIDEWAYS" ALONG THE EDGES OF THE SHORE OR WEED BEDS AND REEL SLOWLY. IF FISH AREN'T BITING SPEED THE REELING UP BRINGING THE FLY TO THE SURFACE WHERE IT JUST STARTS MAKING A "V" IN THE WATER AS IT COMES BACK TO YOU. A SMALL CONTAINER OF FLYS CAN BE BOUGHT AT WALMART WITHOUT CAUSING STICKER SHOCK.

Sometimes crappie, bass, carp, white bass, wipers and even channel cat will take the bait. That will create some stories for sure.

In the first fishing trips with kids IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY CATCH A FISH. TYPICALLY IT DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS SMALL FISH THAT THEY ARE CATCHING. This helps to create the excitement and interest in becoming a fishing person for life.

Lyon State Lake has so many good areas that my suggestion would be to try an area that has lots of rocks or a weed beds in the shallows.

Since there are a variety of areas move if one does not produce fish. Try other baits or move to another good looking spot.

There is no local bait shop at the lake or in Emporia. There is a super WalMart there. They do have worms. Just get one or two dozen. Should do the trick. It would be wonderful if you needed more and had to go back to get some. Worms aren't cheap and do not last long if not put in a cool to cold area. They also have a container of flies that does not drain your checking or debit account. And of course you can get whatever else you would need for the day or trip.

Wal-Mart at Emporia -- www.walmart.com/store/557/emporia-ks/details

Lyons Lake -- Google Earth https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lyon+State+Fishing+Lake+and+Wildlife+Area/@38.5428437,-96.0518269,5266m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x16c556f7b9b92ca9!8m2!3d38.547511!4d-96.0586037

------------------ LAKE INFO AND WEEKLY FISHING REPORT More information and fishing report on Lyon State Lake provided by Kansas Wildlife and Parks: """" THANK YOU FISH AND GAME """" https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas/Fishing-Locations-Public-Waters/Southeast-Region/Lyon-State-Fishing-Lake