2024 Kansas Muzzleloading Association Volunteer at Kingman State Fishing Lake

On the morning of June 7th, 16 volunteers from the Kansas Muzzleloading Association came out to help

KDWP staff accomplish several projects. Some of the volunteers set up tents and enjoyed camping Friday night at the campground they’d be helping to fix up the next day. A few got a canoe out into the lake and tried their hand at fishing there, and at some ponds on the wildlife area. In the morning more volunteers showed up and we all had a quick breakfast and then got down to planning the activities.

Our volunteers were broken up into groups assisting one KDWP staff member to tackle each of these projects. One priority was to replace five old fire rings at the campground on the lake's east side; this project went well with volunteers replacing all five rings. This included digging out a footprint, placing a form, pouring concrete, placing the fire ring and ensuring it's all level.

Next project was to fix up any picnic tables and replace as many boards that we could get through, with 21 tables straightened and fixed, and 18 boards were replaced throughout the morning. Another staff member led volunteers to remove any vegetation growing on a handicapped camp site. This was done to prevent any possible tripping or fall hazards and present a clean and tidy site. Our final project was to cut and remove any woody vegetation on the lake dam. This is necessary to stay in regulation compliance, there cannot be any trees growing to help prevent any damage happening to the structure. Work was performed until noon when the temperature became hot enough for it to become a health concern and we called off all further activities.

With all activities wrapping up due to high temperatures, the groups met back up at the campsite and we enjoyed lunch on some of the picnic tables we just fixed! On behalf of all the staff at the Byron Walker wildlife area, we are very thankful to the KMA volunteers for coming out and giving their time and sweat to help improve the area. It was a real joy meeting this group and we can’t say enough about what a good group of people they are and how grateful we are for their help!

2023 Lake Salvage:

ATTENTION!  KINGMAN STATE LAKE'S FISH POPULATION WAS TERMINATED ON AUGUST 2, 2023.  As of 4/05/2024, approximately 2000 4-6 inch channel catfish and 42,880 fingerling bluegill have been stocked.  On April 19, approximately 800 largemouth bass adults from 6 to 13 inches were also stocked.  Currently the lake is about 1.5 feet low.  Boat ramps are open.

2020 Projects:

Our staff removed all the trees near the lake dam, this is not due to a hatred for trees but a need to keep tree roots from penetrating the dam and causing leaks, or worse yet, a breach in the dam.  The dam maintenance protocol calls for all woody plants to be removed on the dam and out from the toe of the dam 50 feet.  This should keep the dam safe and strong for the foreseeable future.  The big log piles will be allowed to cure then burned once weather conditions allow.  We will use a combination of mowing and spraying to keep woody plants from invading that 50-foot zone as needed.  The disturbed soil was seeded back to native grass species that will keep that soil from eroding.   On the opposite end of the spectrum, 3 prospective Eagle Scouts planted 8 new shade trees in the campground and also stained all the wood on the restrooms and shelter house and installed all the new fire rings that have a concrete bottom in them.  Out on the wildlife area, we stocked 400 nine-to-ten-inch channel catfish into 5 of the area ponds.  These fish should keep filling the niche as bigger fish are taken out. 

Handicapped Campsite:

During the summer of 2018, Brandon Mengel, seasonal employee at Kingman State Fishing Lake, designed and built a handicapped campsite in the KMSL campground.  The site offers a hardened site for a tent, fire ring, handicap accessible table, and hardened site for one vehicle (camper).  The campsite is in close proximity to one of the new rock fishing jetties and includes hardened access from the campsite to the jetty.  Hopefully next summer we will add the toe board edging to the jetty.   

Handicap Accessible Jetty Available:

The Byron Walker Wildlife Area, located seven miles West of Kingman on Highway 54, is one of the great attractions for the city of Kingman and for Kingman County. The Kingman State Fishing Lake, and its associated recreation area, is the focal point of the 4,600 acre recreation area. The west side of the lake is open for waterfowl hunting during hunting season. The lake itself is stocked with crappie, bass, pike, sunfish, and channel catfish for the anglers delight. There are picnic tables, fire pits, camping areas, four fishing jetties, two boat ramps with launching docks, a large shelter house suitable for larger parties or gatherings, and three nice, clean toilet facilities for your families’ comfort.

However, until recently (Nov '10), there was still something lacking. It was difficult for a handicapped individual to be able to get close enough to the waters’ edge to fish. Carl Jamieson, a local disabled fisherman, contacted Troy Smith, the Wildlife Area Manager, to discuss this shortcoming and see if something could be done to help handicapped sportsmen. Mr. Smith discussed having to remove the floating docks a few years earlier because they had become dangerous and had outlived their life span. He also indicated that he had been submitting budget proposals annually to get them replaced, but funding was not available. Mr. Jamieson asked if he might investigate the option of seeking donated materials, and was given the green light to proceed. A design was developed to construct a handicapped accessible surface on one of the existing jetties if the materials could be found at a reduced cost or donated. Mr. Jamieson started making phone calls. The first thing he was able to find was the framework material. Rick Yoder of Jayhawk Oilfield Supply not only supplied 14 lengths of 4 inch by 38 foot long oil well casing, but also delivered it to the lake at the northern most jetty, the site chosen for the construction. A couple more calls and Christy from Arensdorf Lumber dba Kingman Lumber donated 100 feet of ½ inch rebar to be used as bracing for the framework. Once the idea of the handicapped accessible fishing jetty was published in the paper under Letters to the Editor, Dan Hacker of Hacker Brothers Construction stepped forward and volunteered the material that was needed to create a smooth surface for wheel chairs and delivered 25 tons of GE, a compactable gravel, to the site. A couple more phone calls and Terry Schrag of Cannonball donated 300 feet of 1&1/2 inch square stock to construct the safety railings for the project.

Without the compassion and generosity of these people and their companies this project would never have happened. They eagerly stepped forward and supplied all of the necessary materials for the project. They all deserve our appreciation and a huge vote of thanks and support.

Once all the materials needed were acquired, the on-site work began in earnest last fall. The rip rap (rock) that is the main base of the jetty was repositioned around the edges to make a suitable base for the pipe form. The perimeter of the jetty was dredged to allow deeper fishing water close to the jetties edge and to inhibit water lily growth. The framework was finished and placed, the GE rock spread out and compacted, and the railings fabricated and installed. A barrier was put up to prevent vehicles from driving out onto the jetty, handicapped parking signs were installed, and a sidewalk was poured to allow easy access for wheel chairs from the two handicapped parking spots. The new jetty development is located just west of the two cabins at the North East end of the lake to allow easy access. All this new facility lacks is the fishermen, and not just handicapped fishermen. It is open to all.