Neosho Wildlife Area





Located on the broad, flat flood plain below the junction of Flat Rock Creek and the Neosho River, the wildlife area is a man-made marsh developed by the Department in 1960. The area covers 3,246 acres. The five largest pools on the area represent 1,675 acres of the 1,787 of intensively managed wetlands. There are sixteen independently managed wetlands throughout the area. The area was primarily designed, and is managed to furnish a resting and feeding place for migratory waterfowl.
Three of the sixteen pools are managed in a moist soil environment through a water level manipulation plan. Four green tree marshes ranging in size from five to fifteen acres offer a different type of hunting opportunity for the sportsman using the area. Area personnel plant an average of 400 acres of corn, milo, buckwheat or millet in the hunting pools. The grain is left in the field and inundated in the fall.
The 800-acre refuge pool is closed to all hunting, foot and vehicle traffic during the waterfowl season. The water level of this pool fluctuates naturally throughout the seasons and provides good aquatic habitat for waterfowl. Fishing is allowed from March 31 until August 31. Good fishing can be found at times in the Neosho River, Flat Rock Creek and Brogan Creek, existing in part on the wildlife area.
Manager: Monte Manbeck
Assistant Manager: Travis Ratliff
Phone: (620)-449-2539
From St. Paul travel east on Highway 47 2 miles to Wallace Rd.; turn south and travel approximately 1.25 miles. Office on west side of road
Area News
Neosho Wildlife Area
2021 Habitat conditions:
Habitat wise this year looks really good!!! 230 acres of corn was planted across the entire area in June. The rain following the planting was hard on it but staff managed to save around 175 acres. Replant was tried in the middle of July with no success as it was followed by another large rain and was a total loss. The corn that made it is not the best we have ever raised but with the conditions that were dealt we have to be happy. Planted around 100 acres of Millet in July and most of it was destroyed by Army worms. Luckily we had good conditions for growing moist soil plants and everything looks very promising for a great waterfowl season.
Moist soil production in last years Corn strips was outstanding, with wild millets and annual smartweed being the predominate species.
DAILY HUNT PERMIT:
This regulation has been in effect on Neosho WA since 1986 (paper cards) and is now (isportsman) a zero tolerance regulation.
iSportsman daily permits are free and required of all hunters. This applies to all types of game, not just waterfowl hunting. Failure to comply with iSportsman regulations will not be tolerated and will result in a citation. Hunters are encouraged to access their iSportsman account to ensure that their information is up to date and that they have their username and password. Please do this by going to the iSportsman webpage (https://kdwpt.isportsman.net/) and click on "My Account". You can edit any information here. The information acquired from this system is very critical to the future management decisions of the area. If you have questions on how to set up account or are having troubles accessing your account please feel free to call the Neosho WA area office and we will assist you. Thank you for you cooperation.
There are two new regulations for the 2021-2022 hunting season. First, NO centerfire rifles or handguns will be allowed for hunting. Second, NO ACCESS (FOOT, BOAT, ETC.) into the wetlands BEFORE 5:00AM, and MUST be out of the wetlands within an HOUR AFTER SUNSET (LEGAL SHOOTING HOURS).
Other regulations to keep in mind are parking in designated parking areas ONLY , boats must operate at no wake speeds in the boating canals, and watercraft are not permitted within the hunting pools until the day of waterfowl season at 5:00am. Also Pools 4A and 4B are open to NON-MOTORIZED boats only (Note: An electric trolling motor is a motor and will not be allowed).
South Unit
No new news to report
Pool 9 Construction -Construction of a new 35 acre wetland is complete. This wetland will be located just east of the "Tin Barn" and south of 47 Hwy. Parking WILL NOT be allowed along Hwy 47. Parking will be allowed at the "tin barn" or along the road going to the "tin barn". This wetland will rely heavily on rainfall BUT we will be able to supplemental pump from Brogan creek when conditions allow
Hunting Pool Habitat 2021-2022
Pool | Acres | Beans | Corn | Millet mix | Moist Soil | Greentree | Buckwheat |
1 | 350 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 205 | 65 | 0 |
2A | 155 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 85 | 30 | 0 |
2B | 190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 30 | 0 |
4A | 90 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
4B | 65 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
5 | 85 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 45 | 20 | 0 |
6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
8 | 33 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
9 | 40 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
South Unit | 100 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 40 | 0 |
As always, if you have questions please feel free to call the office at 620-449-2539. We are always happy to take your calls and please keep in mind that this is a field office, so if we do not answer please leave a message and we will get back in touch with you as soon as we can.
- Pool 8 is restricted to waterfowl hunters accompanied by a youth hunter, 16 years of age or less on weekends and holidays. The adults may hunt with the youth hunter.
- Non-toxic shot is required for all hunting.
- All hunters must obtain a free daily hunting permit utilizing the new isportman checkin prior to the hunt and checkout after the hunt is completed.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
In 1959, the Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission purchased the initial 2,975.5 acres. In 1988 an additional 270 acres were purchased through a fifty percent cost share agreement with Ducks Unlimited Inc. The area was first opened to waterfowl hunting in the fall of 1962.
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