Lovewell Reservoir

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Lovewell Reservoir Waterfowl Report
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Lovewell State Park

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Click here to download a map of Lovewell

Lovewell Wildlife Area has 2,215 acres of public hunting area available around the reservoir. Lovewell Dam impounds approximately 3,000 surface acres of water and is situated on White Rock Creek. Lovewell is an irrigation reservoir with seasonally changing water levels. Expect lower water levels in the late summer through winter months but the reservoir is refilled annually by diverting water from the Republican River at Guide Rock, Nebraska into a canal that empties into the northeast corner of the reservoir. This area is small and receives heavy hunting and fishing pressure.

Species managed for include deer, turkey, waterfowl and upland game like pheasant, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Management will focus on increasing the quality of the experience for visitors by managing wildlife and habitats with an ecological based approach as the primary goal. The limited public lands in Kansas require intensive wildlife management and some special restrictions will be used to provide quality hunting and fishing areas.

Hunters can Check-in / Check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Check-in is Required for ALL HUNTERS on Lovewell Wildlife Area  while hunting (click Area News above).
In the event you are unable to check-in/out please, keep trying. Or, use the paper card copies available at the information shelter in front of the Lovewell office. We do not want technical issues to prevent someone from hunting. The information is valuable, so please keep trying to check-in, even after the hunt. This important information gathered from hunt permits helps area managers tailor management practices specific to an area and hunter preference.  Your information and patience is appreciated.
Phone:
(785)-753-4971
Address:
2446 250 Rd
Webber,KS    66970
County/Counties:
Jewell
Office Hours:
M-F 8AM - 4:30PM
Area News - Updated: 06/13/2022

INLET CANAL CLOSED TO FISHING SEPTEMBER 15 THROUGH APRIL 15. 

NEW REFUGE REGULATIONS:THE LAND REFUGE CLOSED TO HUNTING YEAR ROUND. CLOSED TO OTHER ACTIVITIES YEARROUND. WATER REFUGE IN EFFECT NOVEMBER 1 THROUGH APRIL 15 on the NORTHEAST half of the reservoir and Wildlife Area from 1/8th mile west of the south end of the dam and following a buoy line northwest to the western boundary of the Cabin Area. No hunting from the park shoreline.

You can follow the reservoir water levels by going to this website, http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_lvks.pl

Lovewell and Jamestown Wildlife Areas

The only place to obtain the paper Hunter Survey Cards are at the Lovewell Office at the entrance to Lovewell State Park at 2446 250 Rd or at the Jamestown Wildlife Area Headquarters at 299 Marsh Trail. 
Hunters are encouraged to register your hunting activity electronically here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Please register prior to arriving on the property as mobile phone and internet service is sketchy. FREE wi-fi is available in front of the Lovewell Office.

IF YOU STILL NEED TO USE THE PAPER PERMITS, they will still be available at the Lovewell Office where permits can be obtained prior to hunting and dropped off with needed information after hunting. The survey station location is just west of the Lovewell Office, under the concrete shelter where a brown, metal self user survey station has been placed to dispense permits and provide for collection.  As in the past, prior to the day’s hunt, hunters will need to pick up a permit, fill out the top portion and place it in the designated box, and carry the bottom portion of the permit with them while on the area hunting. When the hunt is finished, the bottom portion of the permit needs to be returned to the survey station with completed information on the day’s hunt. Hunter participation and cooperation is critical to the success of this study.

Persons wanting additional information or questions should contact the Hays Regional Office at 785-628-8614 or the specific area they plan to hunt. Lovewell (785) 753-4971. Jamestown (785) 439-6243.

 

General Information
Phone:
(785)-753-4971
Address:
2446 250 Rd
 
Webber, KS    66970
County/Counties:
Jewell
Office Hours:
M-F 8AM - 4:30PM

Area Manager: Rob Unruh

Special Regulations

Special Hunts and Refuge Areas are in effect September 1 - April 1.

Camping is only allowed in designated areas as a companion activity to hunting and fishing.

Horses are restricted to maintained roads and are not allowed off roads.

ATV/UTV's are prohibited anywhere on the area.

A permit to access a designated ADA vehicle access area is available from the manager to persons meeting the requirements.

Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.

History

The 4,625 acre Lovewell Wildlife Area was made available to the Kansas Forestry Fish and Game Commission under terms of a lease agreement with the Department of Interior in 1959 after the completion in 1957 of Lovewell Reservoir, a 3,000 acre flood control and irrigation reservoir.  In 1972, 200 acres were purchased by the Kansas Fish and Game Commission and is owned by the state of Kansas. Lands previously managed by the Kansas Park Authority that were transferred to KFG now bring the total area leased from the Bureau of Reclamation under wildlife management to 5,215 acres.

Lovewell Facilities
Dam Overlook, Outlet
  • Type of Facility: Parking
  • Location of Facility: 39.883701 -98.028359
  • Click for more information

    This area affords a scenic view from above the dam at the outlet structure. Stairways lead down to the outlet structure for fishing access.  A fish barrier erected in 2013 across the outlet on the lake side of the dam keeps fish from leaving the reservoir due to releases for pool management or irrigation releases, the major contributor to loss of fish from the reservoir. Please stay well away from this net by fishing on the upstream or west side of this net and avoid entangling fishing equipment or boats in the net.  May be closed seasonally as part of the refuge system Oct 1 - Mar. 1.

Oak Hill
  • Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
  • This facility is ADA accessible
  • Location of Facility: 39.894353 -98.074166
  • Click for more information

    Boat access to the south side of the reservoir at water elevations above 1580(2.5 ft. below conservation pool). Designated, primitive campgrounds at Oak Hill, (open all year) and seasonal campground Blue Shale, (open May 1 - Sept. 1).

    Other Facilities located at Oak Hill are boat ramp, picnic table and metal fire rings at designated campsites, vault toilet, information center, and parking areas.

John's Creek
  • Type of Facility: Information Center
  • Location of Facility: 39.887948 -98.101985
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>Access to the southwest shoreline of the reservoir.</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    Access to the southwest shoreline of the reservoir.

White Rock Creek
  • Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
  • This facility is ADA accessible
  • Location of Facility: 39.905462 -98.115361
  • Click for more information

    This is a boat access to the west end of the reservoir above water elevation 1580,(2.5 ft below conservation pool).

    Also available next to the boat ramp are primitive camping spots, picnic table, vault toilet, information center and a parking Area.

Montana Creek
  • Type of Facility: Parking
  • Location of Facility: 39.909385 -98.105366
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>The access road borders the east side of Montana Creek. </paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    The access road borders the east side of Montana Creek.

Pawnee Point
  • Type of Facility: Parking
  • Location of Facility: 39.906907 -98.088333
  • Click for more information

    Shoreline access to the west end mud flats. A low water boat ramp is planned for this area in late 2007.

Two Mile
  • Type of Facility: Parking
  • Location of Facility: 39.907469 -98.080463
  • Click for more information

    This area is two miles east of Hwy. 14 and allows access to the old county road which used to cross the reservoir prior to construction. It is a popular fishing area for both boat and shoreline anglers.

Prairie Dog Creek
  • Type of Facility: Parking
  • Location of Facility: 39.911082 -98.070839
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>This area allows access to the banks of Prairie Dog Creek. </paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    This area allows access to the banks of Prairie Dog Creek.

Inlet Canal
  • Type of Facility: Fishing Area
  • This facility is ADA accessible
  • Location of Facility: 39.906000 -98.022811
  • Click for more information
    xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' ><paragraph>This area is located where the inlet canal empties into the reservoir. There is a stairway and a gradually sloped area to access the shoreline bordering the canal on two sides.</paragraph></s xmlns:xhtml='http://ez.no/namespaces/ezpublish3/xhtml/' >

    This area is located where the inlet canal empties into the reservoir. There is a stairway and a gradually sloped area to access the shoreline bordering the canal on two sides.

Lovewell Reservoir Waterfowl Report - 11/08/2024
Waterfowl numbers  Migration is lagging behind seasonal averages. Most numerous are Bluewing Teal and resident Canada geese.
Mallard Migration Ranking  
Water level Lovewell Reservoir is at 1576.02 or 6.5 feet below Conservation Pool,( 49.7% full). The BOR and Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District are releasing 0.2 cfs. Inflows of 53.2 cfs from the Guide Rock Diversion Canal from the Republican River is being used to refill the reservoir. Irrigation season ended on 9/16.
Hunting condition

LOVEWELL RESERVOIR HAS NO WATCHES OR WARNINGS FOR HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS. USERS SHOULD STILL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR POCKETS OF HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS.

HAS BEEN A DIE-OFF OF CORMORANTS OF AN UNDETERMINED CAUSE. USE CAUTION WHEN COMING IN CONTACT WITH THESE DEAD BIRDS. 

CONTACT WITH THE DRIED ALGAE AND POCKETS OF VISIBLE ALGAE BLOOM AREAS IS NOT RECOMMENDED AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED, ESPECIALLY FOR DOGS.

Mudflats are ringing the entire reservoir and the water is a away from the normal shorelinE. Japanese millet was seeded. There is sparse concealing vegetation close to the water.

 THE CEDAR POINT BOAT RAMP IN LOVEWELL STATE PARK IS USEABLE AT THIS TIME. ALL OTHER BOAT RAMPS ARE NOT USEABLE EXCEPT FOR THE SMALLEST WATERCRAFT.

ALL BOATS ARE REQUIRED TO USE NAVIGATION LIGHTS WHILE OPERATING BETWEEN THE HOURS OF SUNSET AND SUNRISE. PFD'S MUST NOT BE STOWED IN ANY COMPARTMENT WHILE THE BOAT IS UNDER POWER. KEEP THEM OUT OR BETTER YET ...ON! NON-MOTORIZED BOAT NEED SOME FLASHLIGHT OR LANTERN. 

Expected hunting success

FAIR TO POOR ON THE WILDLIFE AREA. WATERFOWL ARE USING THE RESERVOIR TO ROOST.

OPEN SEASONS - LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE SEASON DUCK, LIGHT GOOSE, WHITE-FRONTED AND CANADA GOOSE, SANDHILL CRANE

Comments
PARK PERMIT REQUIRED TO ENTER THE STATE PARK. NO HUNTING IS ALLOWED FROM THE SHORELINE OF THE STATE PARK. 

REFUGE REGULATIONS: The land refuge closed to hunting and other activities year-round. Water refuge in effect November 1 through April 15 on the NORTHEAST half of the reservoir and Wildlife Area from 1/8th mile west of the south end of the dam and following a buoy line northwest to the western boundary of the Cabin Area of the State Park. This area open to fishing south and east of the buoy line from the north end of the dam to the Lovewell State Park Twin Coves trailer area. Inlet canal closed to fishing September 15 through April 15.

BOAT RAMPS: SEE HUNTING CONDITION FOR BOAT RAMP STATUS. The State Park boat ramps require a Kansas State Park Permit. The Wildlife Area Boat Ramps are Pawnee Point, Oak Hill and White Rock Creek do not require a permit.

CAMPING CABINS are available in Lovewell State Park. Make reservations HERE

HUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO :

  • MAINTAIN SAFE DISTANCES BETWEEN HUNTING PARTIES
  • BE COURTEOUS OF OTHER HUNTERS
  • KNOW THEIR TARGET AND WHAT LIES BEYOND IT
  • HUNTERS USING BOATS MUST EXERCISE EXTRA CARE WHEN BOATING IN COLD WATER AND NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH KANSAS BOATING REGULATIONS
  • OBTAIN PERMISSION BEFORE HUNTING PRIVATE LAND. IF WRITTEN PERMISSION IS REQUIRED ALL HUNTERS IN THE PARTY MUST POSSESS WRITTEN PERMISSION.
  • DO NOT HANDLE DEAD WATERFOWL. DECEASED WATERFOWL INFECTED WITH AVIAN INFLUENZA ARE CONTAGIOUS AND A REAL HAZARD FOR TRANSMITTAL TO DOMESTIC POULTRY.

FOLLOWING SAFE AND ETHICAL PRACTICES WILL ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HUNTING PUBLIC LANDS ENJOYS A HIGH-QUALITY EXPERIENCE.

Hunters can check-in / check-out here,  https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com using your licensing login credentials. Contact the office for other arrangements.  We thank you for your patience. Please introduce youth and novice hunters to the outdoors. Pass it on!