| Waterfowl numbers | Almost all species of puddle ducks and some divers. Most numerous are greenwing teal and mallards. Numbers of mallards and Canada geese are down significantly since last Friday, 12/20. Light geese numbers have increased but numbers fluctuate daily. . ATTENTION - NUMBERS OF CORMORANTS AND NOW LIGHT GEESE HAVE DIED FROM SALMONELLOSIS AND HPAI. USE EXTREME CAUTION WITH HANDLING THESE BIRDS (SEE COMMENTS BELOW) |
| Mallard Migration Ranking | |
| Water level | Lovewell Reservoir is at 1578.64 or 3.96 feet below Conservation Pool,( 66.5% full). The BOR and Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District are releasing 0.2 cfs. Inflows of 87.5 cfs from the Guide Rock Diversion Canal from the Republican River is being used to refill the reservoir. Irrigation season ended on 9/16. |
| Hunting condition | ICE IS AN ISSUE TODAY. ICE SHELVES HAVE FORMED NEAR SHORELINES AND THE WEST END OF THE LAKE WEST OF PAWNEE POINT IS FROZEN. LOVEWELL RESERVOIR HAS NO WATCHES OR WARNINGS FOR HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS. USERS SHOULD STILL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR POCKETS OF HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS. Mudflats are ringing the entire reservoir and the water is a away from the normal shorelinE. Japanese millet was seeded. There is sparse concealing vegetation close to the water. THE CEDAR POINT BOAT RAMP IN LOVEWELL STATE PARK IS USEABLE AT THIS TIME. ALL OTHER BOAT RAMPS ARE NOT USEABLE EXCEPT FOR THE SMALLEST WATERCRAFT AT THE CABIN AREA (PARK PERMIT REQUIRED) OAK HILL AND PAWNEE POINT. ALL BOATS ARE REQUIRED TO USE NAVIGATION LIGHTS WHILE OPERATING BETWEEN THE HOURS OF SUNSET AND SUNRISE. PFD'S MUST NOT BE STOWED IN ANY COMPARTMENT WHILE THE BOAT IS UNDER POWER. KEEP THEM OUT OR BETTER YET ...ON! NON-MOTORIZED BOAT NEED SOME FLASHLIGHT OR LANTERN. |
| Expected hunting success | FAIR TOGOOD ON THE WILDLIFE AREA. WATERFOWL ARE USING THE RESERVOIR TO ROOST ALMOST ALL DAY. OPEN SEASONS - LOW PLAINS LATE ZONE SEASON DUCK, LIGHT GOOSE, WHITE-FRONTED AND CANADA GOOSE, SANDHILL CRANE |
| Comments | DEAD AND DYING CORMORANTS AND LIGHT GEESES ARE PRESENT ON THE SHORELINES. CONTACT WITH THESE BIRDS SHOULD BE AVOIDED. RESULTS FROM TESTING HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. IT IS ILLEGAL TO HANDLE THESE DEAD BIRDS. CONTACT WITH THE DRIED ALGAE AND POCKETS OF VISIBLE ALGAE BLOOM AREAS IS NOT RECOMMENDED AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED, ESPECIALLY FOR DOGS. PARK PERMIT REQUIRED TO ENTER THE STATE PARK. NO HUNTING IS ALLOWED FROM THE SHORELINE OF THE STATE PARK. REFUGE REGULATIONS: The land refuge closed to hunting and other activities year-round. Water refuge in effect November 1 through April 15 on the NORTHEAST half of the reservoir and Wildlife Area from 1/8th mile west of the south end of the dam and following a buoy line northwest to the western boundary of the Cabin Area of the State Park. This area open to fishing south and east of the buoy line from the north end of the dam to the Lovewell State Park Twin Coves trailer area. Inlet canal closed to fishing September 15 through April 15. BOAT RAMPS: SEE HUNTING CONDITION FOR BOAT RAMP STATUS. The State Park boat ramps require a Kansas State Park Permit. The Wildlife Area Boat Ramps are Pawnee Point, Oak Hill and White Rock Creek do not require a permit. CAMPING CABINS are available in Lovewell State Park. Make reservations HERE HUNTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO :
FOLLOWING SAFE AND ETHICAL PRACTICES WILL ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HUNTING PUBLIC LANDS ENJOYS A HIGH-QUALITY EXPERIENCE. Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com using your licensing login credentials. Contact the office for other arrangements. We thank you for your patience. Please introduce youth and novice hunters to the outdoors. Pass it on! |
