Northeast
This is a collection of all the Northeast Waterfowl Reports
BENEDICTINE WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 12/26/2023
| Waterfowl numbers | Mallard Migration Rank: 1 (Estimate of potential mallard numbers. 1=lowest, 10=highest) Some Teal are on the Wildlife Area |
| Water level | A map of our wetlands is now available under the Wetland Map tab to the right. The wetlands have great habitat such as, Giant Foxtail, Annual Smartweed, Barnyard grass, and sunflowers. We also have some Milo and millets planted in the wetlands. We are currently pumping the large wetland complex southwest of the shop, the west smaller wetland and the refuge marsh. Refuge (NOT open to hunting) October 1 through March 31 the area can only be accessed with a special permit obtained through a drawing. Look for "Special Hunts" on our home page under "HUNTING". |
| Hunting conditions | Native vegetation such as annual smart weeds, barnyard grass, foxtail, and sunflowers are the most common vegetation. |
| Expected hunting success | Waterfowl are moving into the area with colder temperatures. Refuge is holding at least a few hundred as of 12-26-23. |
| Comments | Cooler temperatures should move more birds into the area. |
CLINTON - Last Updated: 2/16/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Updated 2-16-24 BI-Weekly Waterfowl surveys are conducted on Clinton Reservoir every year from Sept. to March. 02/13/24 Survey Results: Mallard- 330 Teal- 280 Wood duck-0 Wigeon- 42 Gadwall- 6 Northern Shoveler-12 Pintail- 180 Redhead- 0 Ring-Necked duck- 0 Scaup-40 Bufflehead- 42 Goldeneye- 470 Hooded Merganser- 0 Common Merganser- 30 Canada Geese -1,620 Unidentified Geese- 0 White-Fronted Geese- 800 Light Geese- 80 total geese- 2,500 Total waterfowl- 3,932 |
| Lake level | Lake Level is 876.45 Conservation Pool is 875.50 Clinton Wildlife Area Refuge is OPEN (Closed October 1-January 15) |
| Hunting conditions | WETLANDS ARE ICED OVER Coblentz - SW and SE pools are 1/2 full; Middle pool 1/3 full, North pool is 3/4 full. East Coblentz- 1/2 Full Shadden- Mostly Dry- filled by rainfall only. Elk Creek- Elk Creek pools 1, & 2 are half full; pool 3 is 1/4 full and the refuge is mostly full. They are numbered West to East, starting with pool 1 next to boat ramp and parking lot. Lake- Lake level is just above normal pool. There are many shallow areas of the lake that offer mudflats for waterfowl hunting opportunities. ICE- There is no ice currently present at the time of update. REFUGE CLOSED FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO JANUARY 15TH. Clinton contains miles of creeks, rivers and oxbows on the wildlife area; each of which has unique conditions and frequently hold waterfowl when weather and/or hunting pressure pushes them from marsh pools.
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| Expected hunting success | Poor |
| Comments | IMPORTANT! Clinton Wildlife Area is utilizing an electronic check-in system required of all hunters. To check-in / check-out, please go to https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Please remember that trapping is also allowed on the Wildlife Area. Elk Creek (Wakarusa River) and Coon Creek (Lake) boat ramps are open. Rock Creek Boat ramp is closed; a gravel launch area for canoes and kayaks is available when lake is near normal pool. |
HILLSDALE - Last Updated: 1/19/2023
| Waterfowl Numbers | The Hillsdale Wildlife Area has experienced a relatively dry year in regards to water levels in 2022. The reservoir currently sits 1/2 foot below conservation pool. We have had some successful moist soil vegetation growth in all wetland pools this year. Japanese millet, proso millet, and golden millet were all planted in all of the wetland pools and are doing well. Strips of milo were also planted in Brown's wetland especially in the upper reaches as well as Antioch Marsh. On top of the agriculture, there has been plenty of production from moist soil vegetation throughout all of the pools. Pumping efforts were successful in covering most of each marsh pool with huntable water. Rains over the last month have brought marsh levels to a near maximum level. Waterfowl counts given on this report are based on what was observed on the day the report is updated. Waterfowl numbers vary greatly from day to day and weather conditions and hunting pressure will affect the numbers of waterfowl on the area. This week has been warm for the season with some highs in the upper 50's. Some rain, snow and cold wind has moved into the area and temperature look to be cool with possible snow in the coming days. There is currently no ice on any of the marsh pools and the lake is all open. The most recent survey showed mostly mallards and canada geese in the area. groups of 50-250 mallards were counted on all marsh pools. Groups of 20-200 canada geese were also counted using all of the marsh pools. There are still ducks and geese using the main body of the lake, and most of them are using the coves to stay protected from the wind. Groups of 100-200 goldeneye were also counted on the main body of the lake. 6 tundra swans were seen using Brown's wetland this week, so hunters should be aware and be sure of their target. |
| Water Level | Antioch Wetland - Full Browns Wetland, Upper pool - Full Browns Wetland, Lower pool - Full Youth-Mentor Wetland - Full Wade Branch Wetlands - North 1/2, South 1/4 Hillsdale Lake - See Army Corps Daily Report ICE CONDITION - 0% ice cover on lake. 0% ice cover on wetlands |
| Comments | Reminder - check-in / check-out is required for all hunting on Hillsdale Wildlife Area. This can be done here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. The information and harvest data collected, along with comments received are very useful in establishing future management goals for the Hillsdale State Wildlife Area. https://www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Migratory-Birds/Ducks for more information on seasons and limits. |
JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER - Last Updated: 12/4/2023
| Waterfowl numbers | Ducks: Approximately 250 mixed ducks on area Geese: Approximately 200+ Canada geese on area and between 50,000-100,000 snow geese Snow geese numbers fluctuate drastically on area day to day and even hourly. |
| Water level | Normal |
| Hunting conditions | Poor-fair |
| Expected hunting success | Poor-fair |
| Comments | Make-up Lake is closed to waterfowl hunting during waterfowl season. Boats are not allowed on Auxillary lake during waterfowl season. Individuals wishing to hunt Unit #2 of the wildlife area must enter through the main gate and sign in at the guard house. Be sure to have a photo I.D. with you when checking in. Hunters are required to drive maintained roads only. A map will be provided to all hunters showing open roads as well as parking areas. Vehicles are allowed to park in parking areas only. |
MILFORD WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 1/18/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Waterfowl counts given on this report are based on what was observed on the day the report is updated. Waterfowl numbers vary greatly from day to day and weather conditions and hunting pressure will affect the numbers of waterfowl on the area. The waterfowl survey this week resulted in an average number of waterfowl viewed at the specific points of the waterfowl survey. Throughout the week, a low number of waterfowl have been viewed due to no open water. |
| Lake level | Current Lake Level is 1140.99 and Conservation Pool is 1144.4 The dam is releasing 50 CFS. The inflow into the lake is 130 CFS. |
| Hunting conditions | Vegetation growth and seed production has been above average this year. Pockets of thick vegetation present in some wetlands that could result in difficulty finding down birds. Lower Smith has a decent amount of water in the wetland. ALL OTHER WETLANDS have no water being pumped at this time, due the drought and low water levels for the pumps to be functional. No activities/hunting allowed in the Steve Lloyd Wetland/Refuge. Motorized boats are only allowed in the Mall Creek wetland, electric motors are considered "motorized". All other public hunting wetlands are open to NON motorized boats and walk in hunting. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor, very little water in the river and the lake is currently 3' below conservation pool. All of the open water is frozen, including wetlands, lake and river. Will take some good scouting for a successful hunt. |
| Comments | Waterfowl Season Split: Low Plains Late Zone (Milford Wildlife Area) is closed from January 1, 2024 to January 19, 2024. Low Plains Late Zone (Milford Wildlife Area) re-opens from January 20, 2024 to January 28, 2024. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do NOT drive on dikes. Vehicles disrupt and discourage waterfowl from using the wetland areas. We have had several dikes being damaged due to unauthorized vehicles driving on them. Scouting is best done on foot to evaluate bird numbers and habitat conditions. Please report any vehicles on dikes and anyone seen disturbing our pumps. Without the pumps in optimal condition we are unable to pump the wetlands to their greatest potential. Do NOT block gates, and pay attention to No Parking signs in the wetland parking lots. Hunter's need to be aware of their targets before shooting. The area is a no trash policy, so if you take it in, please bring it back out with you. This includes spent shotgun shells Fires are not permitted anywhere on the wildlife area. Violators will be ticketed Remember - Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. All hunters (youth included) must first register online. The information collected and comments received are very useful in establishing future management goals for the area. https://www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Migratory-Birds/Ducks for more information on seasons and limits. |
PERRY WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 1/19/2024
| Waterfowl Updates | Update as of 1/19/24. All wetlands and the Delaware River are frozen over. With the duck season opening back up tomorrow, it is unlikely we will have any open water on the wildlife area for the near future. Pumping is complete in Northwest Marsh and Reichart Marsh with limitations on how much water we can pull and both units are approaching full. Pumping is complete at the Kyle Marsh with the East Unit 100% full and the West Unit is not high enough for some larger boats to get out of the boat lane still. Pumping is complete at the West River Marsh. We were unable to get the unit 100% full with the water rights we have and will rely on runoff to continue to fill it. Delaware River Level is low and launching at West River Boat Ramp on 150th Road is very difficult or impossible for most boats. ATTENTION WATERFOWL HUNTERS - LEGAL SHOOTING LIGHT IS FROM 3O MINUTES BEFORE SUNRISE TO SUNSET. *DON'T FORGET TO CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT HERE, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Mallard Migration Rank = 5 (0 = no mallards 10 = peak migration)
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| Lake level | 2.3 Feet Below Conservation Pool |
| Habitat conditions | Mild flooding in the spring, followed by a dry summer has allowed for a good amount of wetland pool work to be completed and habitat conditions are overall good around the area.
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| Comments | Habitat Condition Rating (HCR): 1-10; 1-Poor habitat, 5-quality habitat, 10-Exceptional habitat Reminder: Gas powered boats are only allowed on the River, Lake, Sunset Ridge, Kyle East and West and Rucker wetland pools. Electric powered boats are allowed in all marsh pools. Kyle: Pumping is ongoing with water filling into both units. Overall dry conditions throughout the summer allowed for a good amount of pool work to be done in East Kyle and moist soil vegetation is plentiful. Portions of the East and upper West units held some shallow water and led to large amounts of unwanted vegetation such as American Lotus and River Bullrush. HCR-5 West River: Pumping is ongoing with some huntable water in upper unit and middle of lower unit. Summer Draw downs were successful in both the upper and lower units which allowed for some disking, mowing, and millet planting. Upper Unit is about half Corn and half good moist soil vegetation. Lower unit had a small amount of Corn planted in the SE Corner that didn't grow too well. Moist soil vegetation and millet did very good. HCR-8 Upper Ferguson: This wetland grew mostly native smartweed and has little water currently. The water control structure is currently removed from the wetland and we do not have a timeline on when we will have the new one installed yet. The refuge is closed Oct 1st thru Jan 15th to ALL Activity HCR-6. Lassister: No Water. We left boards in the water control structures in an attempt to collect runoff throughout the year. We had some in July, but it has all evaporated now. No pool work could be done this summer because of holding water so some non-desirable vegetation established but overall it still had a good mix of moist soil vegetation. HCR-5 Northwest: Pumping is ongoing and will continue. Corn was harvested with standing corn left in strips. Some millet and sorghum strips were also planted. HCR-8 Headquarters: No Water. This wetland was drawn down early and corn was planted in some of it. Once the tenant harvests their 75%, then we will began to try to collect water, no water at this point. HCR-6 Mitigation: No Water. Disking was completed in this pool to remove some unwanted vegetation and the moist soil vegetation response was very good. We have boards in and are attempting to collect runoff. HCR-7 Hayward: No Water. Most of this unit was disked and planted to Millet that grew very well . HCR-8 Reichart: Pumping is ongoing and will continue. Upper end of the marsh has corn planted, lower half of marsh was planted with sorghum strips and millet and did very well. HCR-8. Zebra Mussels have been confirmed in the lake. Be sure to dry boats and equipment before moving to other waters. Please remember to fill out the permit with accurate information. THIS INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE AREA. FILL OUT ONLY YOUR INDIVIDUAL HARVEST EFFORTS, i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL. |
TUTTLE CREEK WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 10/24/2023
| Waterfowl numbers | 1800 ducks 20 Canada Geese Mallard Migration Rank (0-10) =2 |
| Water level | The lake is currently at 1069 and holding steady |
| Hunting conditions | poor |
| Expected hunting success | poor |
| Comments | Please check in using https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin prior to hunting Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area. The bridge on Rolander Rd. has been shut down as it did not pass inspections for safe travel. The Swede Creek boat ramp is out of the water currently with the river being so low, which is also keeping us from pumping the Olsburg marsh. We have been pumping the Black Vermillion Marsh since 8-24-23. We have pumped around 90 acre feet. There are no other pools anywhere else on the WA. |