Clinton Wildlife Area
A majority of the land lies within the Clinton Reservoir flood pool. Deer Creek, Rock Creek and the Wakarusa River are the three main drainages into Clinton Lake that flow through the wildlife area. There is a mix of native grassland, deciduous forest and cropland dispersed throughout these drainages.
Two man-made wetland complexes are found on the wildlife area. The oldest is the Coblentz Marsh Complex, which consists of the original West Coblentz marsh and the more recent East Coblentz marsh totaling around 160 acres in 5 different pools. These are located on the north side of the Wakarusa River and immediately east of the Shawnee-Douglas county line in Douglas County. The Elk Creek Marsh complex was completed in 2008 after several years of construction. These marshes are located on the south side of the Wakarusa River and are accessed from the parking lot located at Boat Ramp #9. The complex consists of 4 different marsh pools that total approximately 300 acres when full. The largest and newest pool is just over 100 acres in size and is located within the area's seasonal Refuge. All wetland cells except the refuge marsh can be filled by pumping water out of the Wakarusa River.
Management of native grassland is very important on the Clinton Wildlife Area. Clinton has over 200 acres of historical native prairie, most all of the non-native cool season grasslands have been converted to warm season native grasses and wildflowers.
Primary species hunted on the area include deer, turkey, waterfowl, mourning dove, bobwhite quail, squirrel, and rabbit. Also, a wide array of non-game birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians can be found on the area or migrating through. Trapping, fishing, and wildlife viewing are also popular past times on the area.
Area Manager: Justin Hamilton
Office Phone: 785-887-6882
Clinton Wildlife Area is located approximately 7 miles west of Lawrence on the upper end of Clinton Reservoir
DON'T FORGET ABOUT CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT! Clinton Wildlife Area is utilizing an electronic check-in system. To check-in or check-out, please go to https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin. This is mandatory for all hunting activities. This system allows us to better gather harvest and usage data to help make better management decisions.
For wetland and waterfowl info please see https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Region-2/Clinton/Clinton-Waterfowl-Report
Please remember that trapping is also permitted on the Wildlife Area
2022 Dove Field Maps
- Camping, off-road vehicle use, and target shooting are prohibited.
- Please take all trash with you.
- Refuge area is closed to all activities from October 1st thru January 15th.
- Hunters are required to check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials.
Special Features
- Handicapped hunting area provides vehicle use in designated area with written permission from Area Manager.
- Horseback riding is allowed on the southeast side of the Rock Creek Arm on designated trails only which are primarily located in the Corps of Engineers' Rockhaven Park.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
Clinton Reservoir was completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1977. Approximately 9,000 acres are managed by KDWPT for use as a public Wildlife Area.
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N38 53.552 W 95 28.805
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N38 52.786 W95 24.591
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N38 56.488 W95 24.468
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- Trail Season: April through September
- Length of Trail: 10 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Horse Riding
- There is camping located near the trail
- Location of Start: N38 53.445 W 95 22.601
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| Waterfowl numbers | Updated 1-19-23 Waterfowl survey conducted on 1-9-23. Waterfowl Survey Results: Mallard- 2,230 Canada geese- 672 Bufflehead- 35 Scaup- 300 Ring-necked duck- 125 Goldeneye- 1010 Hooded Merganser- 18 Common Merganser- 568 White-fronted Geese- 280 Light geese- 3 Unidentified ducks- 200 (near middle of reservoir) Total waterfowl counted- 5,451 Waterfowl numbers decreased since the last survey. |
| Lake level | Ice- on 1/19 ice is not present Lake level is 874.45 on 1-19-23 (conservation pool is 875.50) Clinton WA REFUGE IS OPEN to all activities |
| Hunting conditions | Coblentz - KDWP staff has completed pumping for waterfowl season. Water has been pumped into 3 Coblentz pools: the Southwest pool is full; the middle pool is full, and the North Pool is mostly full. The Southeast pool has only rainfall. Pumping was limited to 99 acre feet of water due to low water levels in the lake and river. East Coblentz- Mostly Dry- rain filled only Shadden- Mostly dry- rainfall only Elk Creek- No pumping, mostly dry with runoff in low spots Lake- Lake level is just below normal pool. The mud flats on the lake may provide the best areas to hunt due to marshes being mostly dry. THE REFUGE AND REFUGE MARSH POOL ARE OPEN TO HUNTING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES 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 to Fair |
| 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. |
Clinton Wildlife Area Dove Maps - 2022
Fitzgerald Sunflower Dove Field - 2022
Macvicar Sunflower Dove Field - 2022
Urish Sunflower Dove Field - 2022
