Pool 1- Dry

Pool 2A- 5 acres 

Pool 2B- 30 acres

Pool 4B- 20 acres

Pool 4A- 50 acres

Pool 5- Dry

Pool 6- Dry

Pool 7- Dry

Pool 8- 15 acres

Refuge - FULL

South Unit- 20 acres

Planning and expecting to pump more water within the next couple weeks to flood irrigate moist soil vegetation and for early teal season.

2758 Hunters harvested 4720 ducks for a 1.71 BPH average; 81% (3823) Mallards; 8% (378) Green-winged teal; and 3% (127) Pintail. Number of hunters ranks 19th, Harvest ranks 17th and BPH ranks 11th out of the last 33 duck seasons on Neosho Wildlife Area

November (21 days): 1142 Hunters harvested 2259 ducks (48% of the total harvest) for a 1.98 BPH average; 70% (1584) Mallards; 15% (347) Green-winged Teal; and 4% (100) Pintail.

December (31 Days): 1093 Hunters harvested 1387 ducks (29% of the total harvest) for a 1.27 BPH average; 93% (1289) Mallards; 2% (24) Green-winged Teal; and 1% (19) Ring-necked ducks.

January (22 Days): 523 Hunters harvested 1074 ducks (23% of the total harvest) for a 2.05 BPH average, 92% (991) Mallards; 3% (33) Gadwall; and 3% (33) Ring-necked ducks.

We still have 50 hunters that have not checked out of the iSportsman system.  Please check to make sure it is not you and please remember to check out by 11:59pm daily.  Thank You!!!      

For updated waterfowl numbers and weather conditions call (620) 331-6820. Individuals utilizing the wildlife area need to be aware of the refuge boundaries. Maps can be obtained at the Fisheries & Wildlife office (below the dam) or at the State Park (on the lake side).

Wetland water levels and vegetation vary greatly this year due to the duration and extent of the reservoir flood. Some wetlands were not drained at all and some were drained late to attempt to grow some moist soil vegetation and are not back to full levels. The wetlands that did not flood have good production but vegetation is thick and we were not able to do much mowing. Finding open areas may be difficult, especially in the early parts of the season. 

Teal ----Sept. 14-29. 2019

Youth Duck---- Nov. 2-3 2019

Duck---- Nov. 9, 2019- Jan. 5, 2020

Dark Geese- Oct. 26-27, 2019 and Nov. 6, 2019 through Feb. 12, 2020

 Light Geese- Oct. 26-27, 2019 and Nov. 6, 2019 through Feb. 16, 2020

Due to extreme high water throughout much of the summer months, vegetation is exceedingly poor on the reservoir this year.  Watch out for submerged timber and flood debris, throughout the lake.

Below Dam- Lower marsh is currently is currently dry, and awaiting precipitation event.  Upper marsh is aprox 30% full, and waiting rain as well. It consist of some millet and moist soil annuals.   The DU Marsh on the east corner, has been planted to millet, and wheat on upper edges.  No water currently in marsh, but will flood as soon as we can.  All department managed marshes are open for public waterfowl hunting, and are located below John Redmond Dam south of spillway.  Beware, both the upper and lower marsh's contain some deep water in lower portions, well over 6 feet in depth.   The large sedimentation basins located below damn are not open to public hunting and are under private ownership.  

BLUE-GREEN ALGAE Public Health Advisories have been lifted for Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area.  Hunters should still use caution to protect themselves and their pets from harmful algae toxins.  Go to KDHE HAB site for more information.

All hunters must check-in daily using iSportsman electronic check-in from a PC, smartphone, or by phone before hunting and check out at the end of the hunt regardless of harvest.  We now have a zero tolerance policy on failure to comply with iSportsman and check station requirements. Please remember to fill out the check-out report 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.  Go to:

https://kdwpt.isportsman.net

Outboard motors are restricted on this wildlife area and are allowed in Unit G and in the boat lane only in Unit A-East. Outboards are not allowed in any other wetland units. Electric trolling motors are unrestricted. Boats must be operated at wakeless speed.  Boats must have sufficient PFDs for occupants.

Go to MDCWA and click the "News" icon near the top for more information on general waterfowl habitat.  Waterfowl report is updated only if there are significant changes in waterfowl numbers or hunting conditions.

All hunters utilizing Melvern Wildlife Area are required to obtain a free daily hunt permit through the new electronic permit system. Hunters can register now to begin using the electronic system at https://kdwpt.isportsman.net/  For more information (click here). Waterfowl hunters utilizing the main lake are only required to obtain a permit when hunting west of Hoch Road.

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.

The Refuge Area is CLOSED October 1st through January 15th.