I live in Wichita and fish all over the place. My "home" lakes are Cheney and El Dorado. I, too, am new to crappie fishing so I don't have a whole lot to tell you on that. If you turn left at the turn-off near the dam at El Dorado and head to campsite 2. I've caught a ton of channel cat and some nice wipers on the north side of that point. I usually wade for wipers, but fish almost exclusively from the bank for cats. I've caught them on liver, secret-7 stink bait, worms, shrimp..almost anything really.

As far as fishing Wichita, I usually fish private lakes anytime I can. I ask friends with lakes in their housing developments, apartments, etc. Most of the lakes are stocked now due to the urban fishing program though, so you can catch something almost anywhere. If you like big bluegill and largemouth bass fishing, I do know of a really nice private lake down by Haysville. It's tough to find and tough to fish (really weedy during the summer), but it's a real gem.