| Waterfowl numbers | WATERFOWL REPORT UPDATED: 9/10/2025 Seeing only a handful of teal and wood ducks on the area. REMEMBER: Hunters are REQUIRED to check-in / check-out here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials. |
| Water Levels | Current Lake Level is 1,144.88 and Conservation Pool is 1144.4 The dam is releasing 50 CFS. The inflow into the lake is 900 CFS. Sugarbowl is full. Lower Smith is currently being pumped. Youth/Mentor Area is not being pumped due to river being too low where pump is located. Beichter Wetland pump's electrical was damaged and currently under investigation. Pump will be functional in the next couple weeks. All other wetlands have no water due to infrastructure issues. |
| Hunting conditions | Vegetation growth and seed production has been above average this year with the amount of moisture we have received throughout the summer. Pockets of thick vegetation present in some wetlands that could result in difficulty finding down birds. 0% Ice Cover No activities/hunting allowed in the Steve Lloyd Wetland/Refuge. Motorized boats are only allowed in the Mall Creek wetland, electric motors are considered "motorized". All other public hunting wetlands are open to NON motorized boats and walk in hunting. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair. Moist soil plants will provide great habitat and food for this year. |
| Comments | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do NOT drive on dikes. Vehicles disrupt and discourage waterfowl from using the wetland areas. We have had several dikes being damaged due to unauthorized vehicles driving on them. Scouting is best done on foot to evaluate bird numbers and habitat conditions. Please report any vehicles on dikes and anyone seen disturbing our pumps. Without the pumps in optimal condition we are unable to pump the wetlands to their greatest potential. Do NOT block gates, and pay attention to No Parking signs in the wetland parking lots. Hunter's need to be aware of their targets before shooting. The area is a no trash policy, so if you take it in, please bring it back out with you. This includes spent shotgun shells Fires are not permitted anywhere on the wildlife area. Violators will be ticketed Remember - Hunters can check-in / check-out here, https://license.gooutdoorskansas.com/. All hunters (youth included) must first register online. The information collected and comments received are very useful in establishing future management goals for the area. https://www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Migratory-Birds/Ducks for more information on seasons and limits. |
