According to local legend, many years ago an old woman would fish from the MKT trestle, and quickly move off should a rare train trundle across the span. We’re not sure if her name was “Katy”, but this spot is named in her memory.
The Ol’ Katy Fishing Hole is located along the Creekside Trail (approximately 37.913580,-95.397565) It can be accessed by walking or riding the entire Creekside Trail, or by traveling along the Backbone Trail to the junction with the West Spur, then following the Creekside Trail east from there.
The Ol’ Katy Fishing Hole marks the spot where the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) railroad trestle crossed Elm Creek. The portion of the Creekside Trail between the Backbone and the Fishing Hole is actually along the old railroad right-of-way. This is Iola’s version of the Katy Trail.
Fishing is permitted along the entirety of Elm Creek, on the Lehigh Portland Trails property. A Kansas State Fishing License is required.
