Northeast
This is a collection of all the Northeast Waterfowl Reports
BENEDICTINE WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 12/18/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Mallard Migration Rank: 3 (Estimate of potential mallard numbers. 1=lowest, 10=highest) Some Teal are on the Wildlife Area |
| Water level | A map of our wetlands is now available under the Wetland Map tab to the right. The wetlands have great habitat such as, Giant Foxtail, Annual Smartweed, Barnyard grass, and sunflowers. We are currently pumping the small wetland complex southwest of the shop. It doesn't seem to be holding water as well as in years past. Refuge (NOT open to hunting) October 1 through March 31 the area can only be accessed with a special permit obtained through a drawing. Look for "Special Hunts" on our home page under "HUNTING". |
| Hunting conditions | Native vegetation such as annual smart weeds, barnyard grass, foxtail, and sunflowers are the most common vegetation. |
| Expected hunting success | Small groups of teal and mallards are periodically using the Benedictine wetlands, along with the surrounding areas. About 500 ducks on the refuge as of 12/17/2024. Duck numbers should begin to increase hopefully. Hasn't been many ducks using the hurtable wetland. |
| Comments | Both wetlands southwest of shop/office are being pumped. Refuge wetland is being pumped as well. |
CLINTON - Last Updated: 12/13/2024
| 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). |
HILLSDALE - Last Updated: 12/10/2024
| Waterfowl Numbers | The Hillsdale Wildlife Area has experienced a relatively dry year in regards to water levels in 2024. The reservoir currently sits 2 feet below conservation pool. Due to the low water level of Hillsdale Reservoir, the wetlands were unable to be pumped this year. ALL WETLANDS ARE DRY. Waterfowl counts given on this report are based on what was observed on the day the report is updated. Waterfowl numbers vary greatly from day to day and weather conditions and hunting pressure will affect the numbers of waterfowl on the area. A waterfowl survey was conducted on 12/10/2024. The survey showed low numbers of waterfowl on Hillsdale Reservoir. Around 30 goldeneye and 100 unidentifiable ducks were seen on the main body of the lake. Around 150 Canada Geese were seen on the main body of the lake as well. |
| Water Level | Antioch Wetland - Empty Browns Wetland, Upper pool - Empty Browns Wetland, Lower pool - Empty Youth-Mentor Wetland - Empty Wade Branch Wetlands - North - Low, South - Low Hillsdale Lake - See Army Corps Daily Report ICE CONDITION - 0% ice cover on lake. 0% ice cover on wetlands |
| Comments | Reminder - check-in / check-out is required for all hunting on Hillsdale Wildlife Area. This can be done here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. The information and harvest data collected, along with comments received are very useful in establishing future management goals for the Hillsdale State Wildlife Area. https://www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Migratory-Birds/Ducks for more information on seasons and limits. |
JEFFREY ENERGY CENTER - Last Updated: 12/4/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Ducks: Mixed bag of around 150 ducks on area Geese: Around 250,000 snow geese on area and 150 Canada geese. |
| Water level | Normal |
| Hunting conditions | Poor-fair |
| Expected hunting success | Poor-fair |
| Comments | Make-up Lake is closed to waterfowl hunting during waterfowl season. Boats are not allowed on Auxillary lake during waterfowl season. Individuals wishing to hunt Unit #2 of the wildlife area must enter through the main gate and sign in at the guard house. Be sure to have a photo I.D. with you when checking in. Hunters are required to drive maintained roads only. A map will be provided to all hunters showing open roads as well as parking areas. Vehicles are allowed to park in parking areas only. |
MILFORD WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 12/24/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Waterfowl counts given on this report are based on what was observed on the day the report is updated. Waterfowl numbers vary greatly from day to day and weather conditions and hunting pressure will affect the numbers of waterfowl on the area. Waterfowl Survey completed on 12/24/2024 194 dabbler ducks, 156 diver ducks and 173 Geese were seen on the area. |
| Lake level | Current Lake Level is 1143.54 and Conservation Pool is 1144.4 The dam is releasing 50 CFS. The inflow into the lake is 60 CFS. |
| Hunting conditions | Vegetation growth and seed production has been above average this year. Pockets of thick vegetation present in some wetlands that could result in difficulty finding down birds. Lower Smith has water. Sugarbowl has water. Mall Creek has water. ALL OTHER WETLANDS have no water being pumped at this time, due to low water levels for the pumps to be functional. No activities/hunting allowed in the Steve Lloyd Wetland/Refuge. Motorized boats are only allowed in the Mall Creek wetland, electric motors are considered "motorized". All other public hunting wetlands are open to NON motorized boats and walk in hunting. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair. Moist soil plants will provide great habitat and food for this year. |
| Comments | DUCKS, LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE
DUCK LIMITS 6 ducks, any combination of six ducks and/or mergansers which may include no more than five mallards (only two of which may be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one scaup and one pintail. CANADA GEESE
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE
LIGHT GEESE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do NOT drive on dikes. Vehicles disrupt and discourage waterfowl from using the wetland areas. We have had several dikes being damaged due to unauthorized vehicles driving on them. Scouting is best done on foot to evaluate bird numbers and habitat conditions. Please report any vehicles on dikes and anyone seen disturbing our pumps. Without the pumps in optimal condition we are unable to pump the wetlands to their greatest potential. Do NOT block gates, and pay attention to No Parking signs in the wetland parking lots. Hunter's need to be aware of their targets before shooting. The area is a no trash policy, so if you take it in, please bring it back out with you. This includes spent shotgun shells Fires are not permitted anywhere on the wildlife area. Violators will be ticketed Remember - Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. All hunters (youth included) must first register online. The information collected and comments received are very useful in establishing future management goals for the area. https://www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Migratory-Birds/Ducks for more information on seasons and limits. |
PERRY WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 12/4/2024
| Waterfowl Updates | A waterfowl survey was conducted on 12/03/24 and we have seen a strong shift in species composition to more mallards and less other early migrants. Wetlands have iced over significantly with little to no open water. Delaware River is also beginning to ice over and boat travel on it may not be possible. ATTENTION WATERFOWL HUNTERS - LEGAL SHOOTING LIGHT IS FROM 3O MINUTES BEFORE SUNRISE TO SUNSET. *DON'T FORGET TO CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT HERE, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. Mallard Migration Rank = 5 (0 = no mallards 10 = peak migration)
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| Lake level | 0.08 Feet Below Conservation Pool |
| Habitat conditions | Mild flooding in the spring, followed by a wetter than normal summer allowed for minimal pool work to be completed, however native moist soil response was good overall.
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| Comments | Habitat Condition Rating (HCR): 1-10; 1-Poor habitat, 5-quality habitat, 10-Exceptional habitat Reminder: Gas powered boats are only allowed on the River, Lake, Sunset Ridge, Kyle East and West and Rucker wetland pools. Electric powered boats are allowed in all marsh pools. Kyle: West unit is full and launching boats should be no problem. Early summer flooding led to no mechanical pool disturbance, however it did allow the West unit to fill 100% full and the water was held. Full Pool. Launching of boats in the East unit is possible. HCR-6 West River: Early summer flooding led to no mechanical pool disturbance and some water was held in the upper and lower units. Native moist soil vegetation is good with areas of river bullrush becoming fairly thick with no opportunity to get in and remove any this year. Pumping has began and will continue throughout the beginning of regular duck season as migration increases. HCR-6 Upper Ferguson: This wetland grew mostly native smartweed and has little water currently. The water control structure is currently removed from the wetland and we do not have a timeline on when we will have the new one installed yet. The refuge is closed Oct 1st thru Jan 15th to ALL Activity HCR-6. Lassiter: Late summer heavy rain allowed for some water to collect in both the East and West Units. Some of the wetland vegetation is fairly thick in this wetland as some disking was done very early spring, but then conditions didn't allow us to get back in this pool. HCR-5 Northwest: This unit was managed for native moist soil this season. Moist soil vegetation did well and late summer rains allowed for collection of some water already. Full Pool. HCR-7 Headquarters: Corn was planted in this marsh and most of it on the South end flooded out and water was held. HCR-5 Mitigation: Minimal Water. Moist soil vegetation is very good in this unit and boards are in to hopefully collect more water as the season progresses. HCR-7 Hayward: Water was caught and held in this unit very early this spring, leading to minimal food available . HCR-5 Reichart: Most of this wetland was planted to corn and has been harvested. Full Pool on East side, west units run off dependent for further flooding. HCR-8. Zebra Mussels have been confirmed in the lake. Be sure to dry boats and equipment before moving to other waters. Please remember to fill out the permit with accurate information. THIS INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE AREA. FILL OUT ONLY YOUR INDIVIDUAL HARVEST EFFORTS, i.e., NOT A GROUP HARVEST TOTAL. |
TUTTLE CREEK WILDLIFE AREA - Last Updated: 12/12/2024
| Waterfowl numbers | Throughout the week of 12/9/2024-12/12/2024, we have observed a few more waterfowl in the area. On 12/12/2024, during the waterfowl report route, 210 mallards, 6 pintail, 8 redheads and 175 unidentified ducks were observed. This survey is only for Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area with certain observation points along the route. Please Mallard Migration Rank (0-10) =5 |
| Water level | The lake is currently at 1070.66 which is 4.34' below. Out flow is 450 cfs and inflow is 270 cfs. |
| Hunting conditions | Fair |
| Expected hunting success | Fair |
| Comments | Please check in using https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin prior to hunting Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area. The bridge on Rolander Rd. has been shut down as it did not pass inspections for safe travel. As of now Olsburg Marsh will not be able to be pumped do to low water levels and mechanical issues on the wetland pump. The Black Vermillion wetland has good water. All other areas that had water during the teal season are now dry or the water level is very low. Please use caution when using the Swede Creek and Redbud boat ramp, due to the water level be low. |