Thread: Marais Des Cygnes

Being from MO, I havent been too far over into Ks. fishing this river. I see it goes waaaaayyy over into KS. Are there any dams or low water bridges on it between state line and say, ottawa/osowatomie??? I had no idea the thing went that far over there! Can you put a boat in anywhere, and how is the fishing? Thanks! Bayoulee

cannot get up it with a boat in most parts, I live in Osawatomie Ks and it runs through the north end of town,at this point its narrow and there is a concrete dam. It's also like most Kansas rivers usually muddy.

When I was a kid the old man who lived next door would occasionally take me out on the Marias des Cygnes to check the trotlines -- he would run them nearly everyday throughout the summer in a small aluminum boat. He was primarily after flat heads, however crappie and bass were somewhat common as well... I'll never forget the time we brought home a five foot gar and his grandson and I tried to keep it alive in the old man's giant concrete minnow tank.

Anyway, the boat was launched just south of Pomona and he would float down stream a few miles where you would have to turn around due to a dam. This particular feature is (locally at least) known as Miller's Dam and is located about halfway between Pomona and Ottawa. There is another dam just on the south side of Ottawa.

The old man died last year, otherwise I would ask him. There is a chance one of his sons would share some information. If that happens the information could be passed along if you would like.

I'm hoping to test out this river in the near future -- it is currently running a bit too fast and muddy for my likes.

What is the deal with access to Kansas rivers anyway? Someone recently told me that it's technically considered trespassing to float on all but a few navigable water courses that are considered public. Before hearing that I was under the impression that so long as a river was navigable by boat you were ok.

Hmmmm... I'll have to research it, but honestly, I don't want confirmation that it is illegal haahaa... ignorance is more appealing in this instance.

Originally Posted by DDF

cannot get up it with a boat in most parts, I live in Osawatomie Ks and it runs through the north end of town,at this point its narrow and there is a concrete dam. It's also like most Kansas rivers usually muddy.

This doesn't answer your question but is just info from KDWP about fishing rivers in Kansas which is much different than Missouri.

FISHING ON
PRIVATE LAND
Before fishing on private land (except
waters enrolled in the FISH program, see
Page 39), anglers must obtain permission
from the landowner or tenant. This also
applies to anglers fishing from roadways,
bridges, or railroad rights-of-way. Unless otherwise
posted, all streams in Kansas other
than the Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas
rivers are under private ownership of adjoining
landowners. Those three large rivers are
public up to the normal high-water line; however,
fishermen must obtain landowner or tenant
permission before crossing private property
to fish them

Wow, thanks for the info guys. I had no idea. BUt you can still float the rivers?

Originally Posted by bayoulee

Wow, thanks for the info guys. I had no idea. BUt you can still float the rivers?

No authority on this subject but this is my understanding only. You can float the three navigable rivers in Kansas.(Arkansas, Missouri & Kansas rivers). All other streams and rivers may have sections of which are open to the public and outside of those areas they are not open without landowner permission.

From this link About Kansas Fishing / Fishing / KDWP - KDWP

I've pasted this portion.
"There are more than 10,000 miles of streams and rivers in Kansas, most of which are privately owned. The three navigable rivers - the Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas - are open to the public, although one must have permission to access the river through private land. The rest of our streams are privately owned, but some reaches are leased by the department through the Fish Impoundments and Stream Habitats (F.I.S.H) Program, while other reaches are in public ownership. Many streams provide excellent channel and flathead catfishing, and those in the east and southeast may also hold spotted bass. A little research using the Fishing Atlas and legwork visiting with landowners could open some great stream fishing."

Here is a link on KDWP's website on where to fish in Kansas.
Fishing Locations - Public Waters / Where to Fish in Kansas / Fishing / KDWP - KDWP

Here is a contact link to the KDWP if you need more specific answers.
Contact us / KDWP Info / KDWP - KDWP

Good fishing and keep us posted on any of your ventures on the water.

Once in Missouri, it is met with the Bates County Drainage Ditch, which was dug in 1918 to provide flood relief from the MDC. I carries a lot of water, and has some great fishing. I mostly fish the Marmaton, which is on south, and close to my house. The old MDC river cannels are just old log jammed sloughs for the most part, below Foster.