Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area
Tuttle Creek Lake is situated in the beautiful Flint Hills region of Kansas. The lake is the second largest in the state offering 12,000 acres of water and 100 miles of irregular wooded shoreline. Tuttle Creek Lake, being the key unit of flood control projects within the Kansas River Basin, may swell to 54,000 acres. KDWPT also manages 17,800 acres of land on the north end of the lake for wildlife benefit. In addition to permanent habitat enhancement, KDWPT provides 3,220 acres of cropland for winter food. Because of the flooding, area management will focus on enhancing wetland habitat. 480 acres of constructed wetlands provide food and shelter to migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Other species managed for include white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, pheasants, squirrels and doves.
Manager: Justin Wren
Phone: (785) 363-7316
Office Address:
801 S. Main
Blue Rapids, KS 66411
Area News
Hunters-
All Tuttle Creek dove fields for 2023 are non-toxic shot only and can be viewed here- KDWP Managed Dove Fields (arcgis.com)
Update on dove fields (08/26/2023): Irving - Poor, Black Vermillion - Average and Olsburg - Poor.
Due to failing to pass inspection the bridge on Rolander Rd. has been closed permanently between Burklund Raving Rd. and Caser Ravine Rd. Check-in / check out is required for all hunters. Be sure to check in or check out from a location that has internet access. The wildlife area has spotty reception at best. For more information, contact Justin Wren the area Manager at 785-363-7316.
All hunters are required to check into here, https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials.
Camping, off-road vehicle and ATV use, horseback riding and target shooting are prohibited on the Wildlife Area.
Wood cutting is allowed on the Wildlife Area with a free permit from the area manager.
Special Features: Handicapped hunting in designated area allows vehicle use for hunting.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
Construction by the Army Corps of Engineers began in the late 1950's and the reservoir was completed and filled in 1963. License to manage 11,800 acres for wildlife management was granted in 1964. The license was amended in 2014 to include a total of 17,800 acres.
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N39 30 20.9 W96 39 18.6
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- Location of Facility: N39 32 20.6 W96 37 11.4
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Office
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N39 40 44.1 W96 39 33.6
- Click for more information
| Waterfowl numbers | Teal numbers are average compared to other years in the past. It has been a hard time to get a decent observation of waterfowl numbers with the amount of water that is spread out from Fancy Creek north of the Hwy 16 bridge to the north to just south of the Olsburg Marsh. Black Vermillion has a good amount of water in the north pod and the south pod also. Olsburg Marsh is dry, but the river has plenty of water. |
| Water level | The lake is currently at 1082.45 which is 7.45' above conservation pool level. Out flow is 500 cfs and inflow is 1680 cfs. Water levels are good at the time with the recent rains and the river inflow. Black Vermillion has good water levels for both north and south pods. Olsburg and Irving Marsh are the only two marshes that does not have water. |
| Hunting conditions | Fair to Good_ moist soil production and abundant flooded vegetation. With the amount of water that area has, waterfowl and hunters will be able to spread out. |
| Expected hunting success | Fair. Reminder to make sure waterfowl are being identified with a few amounts of bigger ducks around. |
| Comments | Please check in using https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin prior to hunting Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area. Please be aware of the water level for boat use and ramps along the area. Hunters are encouraged to:
The bridge on Rolander Rd. is closed and shut down along the road. |