General Information Kansas, the Sunflower State, boasts a land area of 81,823 square miles with a varied terrain. In the western two-thirds of the state, the terrain is composed of flat, level plains, rolling prairie, and few trees. In the eastern third, near the Missouri River, which borders the state, the land is hilly, with broad valleys and some timbered areas. Southeast Kansas is rough and hilly, basically splitting the state into two distinct river basins which fuel the Kansas and Arkansas rivers. With 136 prominent lakes and nearly 150,000 acres of state and national forest and park lands, Kansas has a lot to offer the sportsman. Capital City: Topeka Largest City: Wichita National Parks: Brown vs. Board of Education National Historical Site Fort Larned National Historical Site Fort Scott National Historical Site Sport Fishing Without many public natural water resources to speak of, Kansas has provided man-made alternatives in the form of extensive reservoir and lakes programs. Although Kansas may never be known as a fishing mecca, 38 new reservoirs are attracting greater attention each year, and the fishing has been successful in lakes and streams as well. Kansas could be called the "Catfish Capital of the World," with this species being both abundant and popular among anglers (with some weighing in at 70 pounds, it's no wonder!). Reservoirs also hold crappie, largemouth bass, spotted bass, walleye, white bass, bluegill, and drum, and northern pike are just being introduced. Hunting The hunting possibilities in Kansas are as varied as the terrain, with species such as antelope and elk plentiful in the western and southwestern regions of the state, white-tailed deer and waterfowling abundant throughout the state, and other game animals such as prairie chicken, quail, pheasant, rabbits, squirrel, and turkey scattered in the eastern and central regions. For information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please contact the Kansas Department of Natural Resources website.