Southwest
This is a collection of all the Southwest Waterfowl Report
CHEYENNE BOTTOMS - Last Updated: 12/30/2025
| Waterfowl numbers | There are a number of sick or dead snow geese present due to avian influenza. With the recent freeze, almost all of the ducks have left the area. Only a handful of mallards, pintails, and greenwings left. Goose numbers have decreased as well, mostly snows but still some whitefronts and Canadas. If the report has not been updated in a few days, please assume that conditions and bird numbers are the same as the last update. |
| Water level | Pool 1A-32", Pool 1B-19", Pool 1C-19" Pool 2-16" Pool 3A-13" Pool 3B-dry, Pool 4A-13" Pool 4B-17" Pool 5-4". Diverting as much water as allowed from the Arkansas River, Dry Creek, and Walnut Creek. Cheyenne Bottoms has no ground water pumps to fill pools. |
| Hunting conditions | Mostly froze over with 3/4-1" ice, but may thaw later in the week. Pool 2- 60 acres of wheat in the pool. Blind islands are being rebuilt as conditions allow. Pool 3B- 46 acres of wheat planted fall of 2025, 135 acres of standing wheat. Pool is being disced in preparation for next spring. Pool 3A- decent moist soil production. Hunting holes and access trails mowed throughout. 4A- decent moist soil production. Hunting holes and access trails mowed throughout. 4B- 75 acres of millet planted, fair food production. Hunting holes and access trails mowed throughout. 5- good food production. All blind islands in 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B have been rebuilt. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair. Ducks have been very stale, even with changes in weather. Expecting duck numbers to decrease with forecasted weather and the potential for ice. Food production is fair. Will have more water than anticipated in the hunting pools that will help the hunting conditions. Hunting success has varied greatly depending on the weather. Ducks are in the nocturnal pattern on most days. |
| Comments | HUNTERS CAN CHECK IN VIA THE GOOUTDOORSKS APP OR THE WEBSITE. ALL BOATS MUST BE OPERATED AT NO WAKE SPEEDS. ALL BOATS MUST BE OPERATED AT NO WAKE SPEEDS 100% OF THE TIME, NO EXCEPTIONS. POOL 4A IS CLOSED AT 1 P.M. DAILY TO MOTORIZED BOATS. ANY BOAT WITH A MOTOR ON IT MUST BE OUT OF THE WATER AT 1 P.M. NO MOTORING OUT PRIOR TO 1 P.M. THEN ROWING OR DRAGGING BOAT BACK IN AFTER 1 P.M. 3A IS CLOSED TO MOTORIZED BOATS NO WATER VESSELS , MOTORIZED OR NONMOTORIZED, ALLOWED EXCEPT DURING AN OPEN WATERFOWL SEASON. DURING THE YOUTH/VETERANS/MILITARY WEEKEND, POOL 4B IS DESIGNATED AS A YOUTH ONLY POOL. LEGAL SHOOTING HOURS ARE 30 MINUTES BEFORE SUNRISE TO SUNSET. UNLAWFUL TO SHOOT FROM ROADS OR DIKES ON THE WILDLIFE AREA. DO NOT PARK BLOCKING ROADS, GATES, BOAT RAMPS, FOOT CROSSINGS, ETC. DO NOT LAUNCH TRAILERED BOATS FROM DIKES OR FOOT CROSSINGS. ANY BOATS ON A TRAILER MUST USE DESIGNATED BOAT RAMPS. NO TRASH POLICY ON THE WILDLIFE AREA. CAMP IN DESIGNATED CAMPGROUND ONLY Use footcrossings in Pools 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B as the ditches have been cleaned out and are very deep. For waterfowl season dates, Cheyenne Bottoms is in the Low Plains Early Zone. |
ISABEL - Last Updated: 1/9/2026
| Waterfowl numbers | A few mallards observed 1/8. |
| Water level | The main lake is nearly full. The pool south of the main lake is full and the pool to the east of that has some water. The pool along Hwy. 42 is full. |
| Hunting conditions | Duck season (Low Plains Late Zone) is currently closed. The 2nd segment is 1/17 to 1/25. |
| Expected hunting success | |
| Comments | Teal Season (Low Plains Zone): September 13 - September 21, 2025 Youth, Veteran, Active Military Waterfowl (Low Plains Late Zone): October 18-19, 2025 Ducks (Low Plains Late Zone): November 1, 2025 - January 4, 2026 (first segment) and January 17, 2026 - January 25, 2026 (second segment) Daily check-in and harvest reporting is required Check-in/Check-out on The Web
Check-in/Check-out on The App
Only non-toxic shot is allowed on Isabel Wetland Wildlife Area for all species. |
TEXAS LAKE - Last Updated: 1/9/2026
| Waterfowl numbers | Mallards and Pintails present 1/8/26. |
| Water levels | Pools 1 and 2 are nearly full. Pools on the west side of the area have dried some, but pools 6 and 8 have water. |
| Hunting conditions | Duck season (Low Plains Early Zone) has closed. |
| Expected hunting success | |
| Comments | Teal Season (Low Plains Zone): 9/13/25 - 9/21/25 Youth, Veteran, Active Military Waterfowl (Low Plains Early Zone): 9/27/25 & 9/28/25 Regular Ducks (Low Plains Early Zone): 10/11/25 - 12/7/25 and 12/20/25 -1/4/26 Daily check-in and harvest reporting is required Check-in/Check-out on The Web
Check-in/Check-out on The App
Only non-toxic shot is allowed for all shotgun hunting at Texas Lake Wildlife Area. |