Toronto Wildlife Area
The Wildlife Area includes riparian timbered areas, grasslands, cropland, and wetland communities. Management includes native plant restoration, prescribed burning, timber management and farming to provide food and habitat for wildlife. Toronto Wildlife Area has 4700 acres of land and water open to public hunting where a wide variety of game and non-game animals can be found. Species include white-tailed deer, turkey, bobwhite quail, squirrel, waterfowl, rabbits and furbearers. Marshes have been constructed to provide excellent habitat for migratory birds. These marshes also provide some excellent viewing for non-game species of shore birds. Fishing in the reservoir, Walnut Creek, and the Verdigris River can be excellent for white bass, crappie, channel catfish and flathead catfish. The numerous brush piles are also excellent places to pursue black bass, bluegill and sunfish. Boat ramps have been constructed around the reservoir, on Walnut Creek and the Verdigris River to provide boat access.
Special Features
- Special Handicap Hunt Area.
- Three boat ramps are available.
- Campgrounds are available in Cross Timbers State Park
Area News
2019 Dove Hunting Opportunities at Toronto Wildlife Area
Unfortunately, wet weather conditions have prevented the planting of sunflower fields in Toronto Wildlife Area for the purpose of September dove hunting. Timing is critical in order for sunflowers to have time to reach maturity, dry down, and begin attracting doves in advance of the opening day of dove season. When these prerequisites are not met, doves will tend to move on to other areas along their migration route.
For more information concerning the Toronto Wildlife Area contact the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism at: (620)-583-6783 or ben.stultz@ks.gov .
Off Road Vehicle (including e-bikes) and Horse use is prohibited.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
Toronto Reservoir was completed in 1960 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1964 the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks entered into a license agreement with the Corps of Engineers for fish and wildlife management of 4700 acres of land and water in the upper reaches of the project.
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N37 47.558 W95 59.973
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N37 49.703 W95 57.757
- Click for more information
| Waterfowl numbers | 01/09/24 Moderate numbers of dabblers on the lake at any given time along with smaller groups of divers. Area pasture ponds have been holding some small groups of birds but not many. Lots of geese in the area but almost exclusively on private land. |
| Water level | Lake is 1.40 ft. above normal pool level. Many area marshes are dry. |
| Hunting conditions | The lake has come up and submerged the mudflat vegetation. Hunting conditions will heavily dependent on weather. |
| Expected hunting success | Moderate |
| Comments | Waterfowl reports will be posted on a bi-weekly basis throughout the fall and winter waterfowl seasons. Updates will be made when a significant change in bird numbers is observed. For information pertaining to the Toronto Wildlife Area call 620-583-6783. |