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.
2023 Managed Dove Fields
An interactive Statewide map can be found at the link below:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/1d6b4f5586bc4cc2a30cf412205a7607
- 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
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N38 56.488 W95 24.468
- Click for more information
- 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
- Click for more information
| 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). |