At this time, we cannot pump water into the Elk Creek marsh unless Clinton reservoir and the Wakarusa river levels both rise. A fair amount of water (99 acre feet) has been pumped into the Coblentz complex.

KDWPT staff have mowed all marsh dikes and a portion of all marsh pools for hunter access and open water(when flooded). ALL water control structures have boards in them so no water can flow out.

Wetland vegetation had excellent conditions for  growth and seed production. Many drier areas have ragweed and sunflowers 7-12 feet tall.  The wettest marsh areas generated heavy seed production from millet, smartweed, and beggar's ticks. 

Lake- The lakeshore and shallow mudflats have produced decent food and habitat for much larger numbers of waterfowl. Canada geese, Coots, diving and puddle ducks have been regularly using many areas of Clinton Reservoir that are protected from the wind. 

Coblentz & East Coblentz- 

We have completed wetland pumping for 2020 unless lake and river levels rise. 

All water control structures have boards in them and will be holding water after a rainfall/runoff event.

All 5 wetland pools in the Coblentz complex have SOME water in them. The majority of water was pumped into the middle and north pools, as well as East Coblentz.  

The corn in the North and East pools has been harvested(>10% left standing for waterfowl). 

There are strips of corn planted in the middle and southeast pools that remain standing. 

The final phase of the wetland grant for Coblentz is completed. We have placed an additional structure on the north pool to allow us the option to use an adjacent stream to fill the north and middle pools. This is in addition to the electric pump, which was completed in 2018. 

Shadden marsh has some water, but it evaporates quickly. 

Elk Creek- marsh is dry, pending rain and runoff. The extreme flooding in 2019 destroyed the marsh pump and we are in the process of replacing it. Until the  pump is replaced, the only way to fill the pools is rainfall.

Pool 2 at Elk Creek has a VERY small amount of water, primarily close to the water control structure.  New this year: A Triticale food plot, which is a wheat/rye hybrid, was planted in the higher portion of the pool near the river. This should provide an opportunity for goose hunters.

Clinton Wildlife Area 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 pressure pushes them from marsh pools.

KDWPT staff planted strips of corn in pools 2 & 3, which will not be harvested.

The refuge marsh pool is CLOSED  to ALL ACTIVITIES from October 1st to January 15th.

IMPORTANT! Clinton Wildlife Area is utilizing an electronic check-in system required of all hunters. To register, please go to  https://kdwpt.isportsman.net. This will be mandatory for everyone hunting the wildlife area, not just waterfowl hunters. The card survey stations have been removed. Plan ahead and sign up for I-sportsman now.  

Please remember that trapping is also allowed on the Wildlife Area.

The Coon Creek and Elk Creek/Wakarusa river BOAT RAMPS ON THE WILDLIFE AREA ARE OPEN.

 The REFUGE is closed to ANY AND ALL activities from Oct. 1st to Jan. 15th

Reminder - an electronic permit/sign-in on Isportsman is required for all hunting on Hillsdale Wildlife Area. All hunters (youth included) must register online and create an individual account.  Hunters can then check in using the I-sportsman system from any phone or internet device. This can be done immediately before the hunt or the night before the hunt.  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.

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.

Vegetation growth and seed production has been average this year with amount of rainfall and flooding the wetlands have received.  

Mall Creek and Lower Smith/Gatesville boat ramps are open. 

Wetlands being pumped this year include: Youth/Mentor Area, Zach Hudec, Lower smith and Quimby.  The pumps for Beichter/Martin and North Smith are still damaged from the 2019 flooding and most likely will not be operating this year.  Mall Creek is currently holding good water but levels are dependent on the creek flow.

Be mindful of the silt that has moved into many of the flooded areas.  Even in areas where the water appears shallow the silt may be very soft and very deep.  Use caution in these areas.

No activites/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.

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 drive on barricaded roadways.

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

Remember - an electronic permit/sign-in on Isportsman is required for all hunting on Milford Wildlife Area. All hunters (youth included) must first register online by creating an account.  Hunters can then check in using the I-sportsman system from any phone or internet device. 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.

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: Full Pool. Water levels were coming down slowly throughout the summer which allowed for vegetation to begin growing, however the flooding in late July eliminated most growth and has resulted in mostly open water habitat. HCR-3

West River: Summer Draw downs were successful in both the upper and lower units which allowed for some disking, mowing, and millet planting, however the late flooding killed most of the millet that was drilled. Both the upper and lower units have huntable water. Native moist soil vegetation had already been growing and were tall enough to withstand this flooding providing good native moist soil vegetation. HCR-8

Upper Ferguson: This wetland grew mostly native smartweed and has began picking up water offering some good habitat near the levee. The refuge is closed Oct 1st thru Jan 15th to ALL Activity HCR-7.

Lassister: Full Pool. West Unit: Good vegetation growth especially to the West water was held and was at full pool most of the off season. East Unit: Water was held in this unit from last year, and native moist soil vegetation did grow throughout most of the unit. We are starting to see the results of holding water in these two units for two straight years as more non-desirable plants are starting to show up so we plan to draw down both units after this waterfowl season. HCR-5

Northwest: Full pool. This unit experienced a slow draw down which promoted a lot of good native moist soil vegetation, some supplemental planting occurred and was also destroyed in the late July flooding . HCR-7

Headquarters: This wetland was drawn down early and corn was planted. Once the tenant harvests their 75%, then we will began to try to collect water, no water at this point. HCR-7

Mitigation:  This wetland was drawn down and grew to nearly all millet with some other native moist soils. Low water level, most water lost due to evaporation. HCR-9

Hayward: This unit currently does not have water.This wetland had repeated flooding and gave the native moist soil vegetation little time to grow. This will pick up water quickly. HCR-4

Reichart: East Unit full pool. We do have water in each of the two West units with good native moist soil vegetation in both. HCR-8. 

Zebra Mussels have been confirmed in the lake. Be sure to dry boats and equipment before moving to other waters.

Perry WA has transitioned to a daily permit system called iSportsman.  Hunters will need to register via PC prior to hunting at Perry WA. Hunters will be able to login via PC, smartphone, or call in from cell phone or landline phone each day prior to hunting to get a daily permit, and report back similar to the paper daily permits.  Please visit https://kdwpt.isportsman.net/ to register prior to hunting season.

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.