Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area
Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area varies in size with the fluctuating reservoir. The Smoky Hill River, which originates in Eastern Colorado, intermittently flows into the reservoir. At full pool the reservoir is 6,800 surface acres and the surrounding Wildlife Area encompasses approximately 7,000 acres. The reservoir is currently only 3,000 surface acres and the surrounding Wildlife Area is 11,000 acres. The area lies in the mixed grass prairie and chalk bluff region. Cedar Bluff derives its name from a 1/2 mile of 100-foot chalk bluffs located on the SW portion of the property.
Watchable Wildlife
You can see and photograph a diversity of wildlife species. In winter, bald and golden eagle's visit. Deer, turkey, and pheasant roam freely. Waterfowl stop on their migrations, and a small Canada goose flock make the area home. The Bluff Overlook is also a scenic place to visit.
Hunting
Public hunting areas are limited in Kansas, so demand is high. Management continually seeks to enhance hunting quality.
Big Game: In the past archery and firearm hunters have recorded one of the highest public land success rates. Most deer are whitetails with a few mule deer on the area. Hunters can only use (1) one Whitetail Antlerless Deer permit on the Cedar Bluff WA.
Turkey: Turkey populations remain stable due to limited draw permits, habitat improvement, and relocation efforts. Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area is located in Turkey Management Unit 4. There is a limited draw for spring turkey permits and no fall turkey hunting in Unit 4. Youth turkey permits are valid statewide.
Upland Game: Pheasant populations fluctuate, with the most hunting pressure during the season opener. Diverse habitats with grass, crops, and weeds produce the best results. Quail numbers are good, but populations vary with weather and habitat nesting conditions.
Migratory Birds: Doves are plentiful until cold weather moves in. Geese and ducks use the area during migration, numbers vary with habitat conditions. Most goose hunting occurs on private land when the geese leave the area to feed.
Special Hunts: Special waterfowl, deer, and various youth hunts are available by application. Contact the area office for more information.
Youth / Mentor Hunting Areas: Youth Mentor hunting areas are provided in strategic locations. The youth / mentor area east of the dam is shotgun / archery only, and the youth / mentor area west of the dam is open to all seasons and equipment. Both areas provide good opportunities for geese, deer and pheasant. At least 1 youth hunter aged 17 or younger is required per adult mentor. Adult mentors may hunt. Every kid is waiting to be invited outdoors, just ask them!
Refuges
A 320 acre refuge "Closed to All Activities" directly below the dam is in effect year-round. From Sept. 1st thru Jan. 31st, 500 acres of land and from Nov. 1st thru Jan. 31st, 200 acres water are closed to all access. (See Wildlife Area Map for more details)
Fishing: Black bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish have benefited the most from water level rises. Walleye, white bass, and wiper fishing will improve as the forage conditions stabilize in response to water quality improvement.
Length Limits
Walleye - 21-inch minimum length limit, 5 fish daily creel limit, except up to 2 walleyes greater than 15 inches but less than 18 inches maybe included in the 5 fish daily creel.
Crappie - 10 inch minimum
Black bass - 15 inch minimum
Catch and Release: Voluntary catch and release extends fish resources which are becoming more limited. Reduced harvest of small fish allows more fish to reach a larger, more desirable size. Releasing larger fish increases their recreational use and keeps them in the water to help control undesirable fish by predation. A fish released properly is an investment in future fishing opportunities.
Other Opportunities
- Boating: Currently there are 3 usable boat ramps located on the reservoir. A “no wake” policy is enforced near boat ramps.
- Camping: Campers are encouraged to use the State Park where modern and primitive camping sites and rental cabins are available the year round. Camping on the Wildlife Area is primitive and limited to three designated areas. These areas have no fees for camping, so all we ask is to leave your site cleaner than you found it.
Area Manager: Kent Hensley
Phone: (785) 726-3212
Youth Hunting Opportunities at Cedar Bluff
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks began implementing strategies in September 2011 to increase the amount of youth hunting opportunities on the Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area. Approximately 1000 acres that was previously refuge area are now be managed as a Youth / Mentor hunting area. Opening these areas to hunting provides quality youth and mentor hunting opportunities for whitetail deer, uplands birds and waterfowl. Only walk in access will be allowed and vehicles should utilize approved parking areas.
Youth hunters 17 years of age and younger will be eligible to hunt in these areas but must be accompanied by a licensed mentor 18 years of age of older. The mentor may hunt and only one mentor is allowed per hunting youth. Mentors may take more than one youth.
All areas will be posted with appropriate signage. Nearly 800 acres in the North Cove 1 / Threshing Machine area will be open to youth / mentor hunting for any species and 200 acres east of the dam will be open to shotgun and archery hunting only. 500 acres of land and 250 acres of water in the southern portion will remain refuge and Closed to All Activities.
For additional information contact Wildlife Area Manager Kent Hensley - (785) 726-3212 or kent.hensley@ks.gov
- Special Deer and Waterfowl Hunts are available by drawing through the Headquarters in Pratt.
- Off Road Driving or ATV use is NOT allowed.
- Camping is only allowed in designated sites.
- Land Refuge Areas are Closed Sept. 1st thru Jan. 31st.
- Water Refuge is Closed Nov.1st thru Jan. 31st.
- Other designated Refuge Areas are Closed Year-Round.
- Youth / Mentor Hunting Areas are available.
- Contact the Cedar Bluff Area Office for more information.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
The Cedar Bluff Property is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and through Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for outdoor recreation. The construction of the Cedar Bluff Dam began in 1949 and was completed in 1952 The reservoir initially filled in the same year the dam was completed. The reservoir has been in constant fluctuation since it initially filled and was at an all-time low of 998 surface acres in 1992. The reservoir refilled in 1998 and has declined since. The wildlife area is well known for exceptional deer hunting and waterfowl hunting. Upland birds fluctuate with weather conditions, but pheasant and quail hunting are generally good.
- Type of Facility: Viewing
- Location of Facility: N38 46 31.81 W99 48 34.68
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Parking
- Location of Facility: N38 46 19.62 W99 50 16.51
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- Type of Facility: Camping Parking
- Location of Facility: N38 47 20.95 W99 52 31.73
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- Type of Facility: Camping Parking
- Location of Facility: N38 47 01.63 W99 53 15.21
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N38 47 35.58 W99 47 56.48
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- Type of Facility: Office
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 48 43.00 W99 43 58.50
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- Type of Facility: Fishing Pond
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 46 48.91 W99 43 06.68
- Click for more information
| A few new ducks. Most dabbler species are present and a variety of divers. Waterfowl numbers changing daily Resident Canadas and occasionally Sandhill Cranes. No Hunting Allowed from the Dam *****REVIEW Kansas Boating Regulations if you are using a boat to hunt. ***** Refuge Boundaries are also displayed on OnX. NO ACCESS IN THE CLOSED PORTION OF THE LAND REFUGE SEPT. 1 - JAN. 31 NO ACCESS IN THE CLOSED PORTION OF THE WATER REFUGE NOV. 1 - JAN. 31 
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| Water level | Reservoir Elevation - 2122.9 - 21 ft. low |
| Hunting conditions | Mudflats at west end should attract some teal, very little flooded vegetation |
| Expected hunting success | Fair-low Lake levels will make concealment difficult and expect fall fishermen to be present. |
| Comments | Cedar Bluff Wildlife Mgmt. Area and Reservoir are in the Low Plains Late Duck Zone Contact Cedar Bluff Area Office 785-726-3212 for more information. Water Refuge is in effect November 1- January 31 Land Refuge is in effect September 1 - January 31 No Hunting Allowed from the Dam North Shore State Park is Closed to Hunting. Youth / Mentor hunting is also available. Zebra Mussels, Eurasian Milfoil, and Phragmites are present in Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Please clean and dry all equipment, decoys and boats before hunting other bodies of water. |