| Waterfowl numbers | Updated 12-13-24 Bi-weekly Waterfowl surveys are conducted on Clinton reservoir every year from Sept. to March. Waterfowl numbers were lower compared to the previous survey. 12/13/24 Survey Results: Mallard- 528 Green-winged teal-0 Wigeon-50 Gadwall-30 Wood duck-12 Northern Shoveler-22 Pintail-0 Unidentified dabbler-80 Ring-necked duck-16 Scaup-22 Bufflehead- 86 Goldeneye-38 Hooded Merganser- 113 Common Merganser-47 Long-tailed duck-2 Total ducks- 1,046 Canada Geese -632 Snow geese-0 Total geese- 632 Coots- 0 Total waterfowl- 1,678 |
| Lake level | Lake Level is 875.76 (0.26 feet above pool) Conservation Pool is 875.50 Clinton Wildlife Area Refuge is CLOSED TO ALL ACTIVITIES (Closed October 1-January 15) |
| Hunting conditions | Wetland Pools Coblentz - SE, SW, middle, and north pools are all full. Good millet and smartweed with perimeter rows of standing corn. Pumping is completed. East Coblentz- Full. Food sources in pool are beggar's ticks and smartweed with some millets. Deep, open pool north side of marsh. Shadden- Some water in lower areas near structure- filled by rainfall only. Millet in marsh south of river; millet and standing corn on perimeter of newly constructed marsh on the North side of the river. Open to hunting, needs rainfall for huntable water. Elk Creek- Elk Creek pools 1, 2, and 3 are full. The Refuge pool is CLOSED (3/4 filled to full). Elk creek marsh pools are numbered from West to East, with pool 1 next to Elk Creek boat ramp and parking lot. Food: moist-soil vegetation- millets, smartweed, and beggar's ticks with a few strips of milo in pool 3. Pumping is completed. All wetland pools that can be pumped are full. Additional rainfall and colder weather may change marsh conditions as well as local waterfowl numbers rapidly. ICE- On the date of update, the managed wildlife area marsh pools are 95% covered in ice. Most ponds and shallow water areas are partially to completely iced up. The lake is roughly 95% ice-free. Forecasted conditions should create some opportunities in managed wetlands, if ice is broken up. The river has some thinning ice. Lake- Lake level is just above normal pool. There are many shallow areas of the lake that offer mudflats for waterfowl hunting opportunities. REFUGE CLOSED FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO JANUARY 15TH. Please look for signage and the mowed line indicating the Western Refuge boundary. It runs North and South along the back side of pool 3. The East Refuge boundary extends half a mile east of County Rd. 1023, running parallel to the road, across the Wakarusa arm of Clinton reservoir. KDWP 2024-2025 Online Hunting Atlas 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 or above normal pool (875.5). |
