| Waterfowl numbers | ATTENTION: All hunters MUST check-in / check-out when hunting. Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/checkin using your licensing login credentials to check in and out. December 9th, 2025: THE LOW PLAINS EARLY ZONE DUCK SEASON IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. THE SECOND SPLIT OPENS DECEMBER 20TH AND CLOSES JANUARY 4TH, 2026. The area is holding a good number of ducks for mid December, and goose numbers have finally improved a bit. The three most abundant duck species are still green-winged teal, mallards, and pintail. Snow geese are the most abundant geese, but there are also decent numbers of dark geese too. Waterfowl numbers can fluctuate greatly from day to day depending on ice cover, weather, and other factors. Remember: the North Refuge in the Big Basin is in effect from Oct. 1st to April 1st. All activities in the south refuge in the Big Basin are prohibited year round. |
| Current Information | Due to wet conditions this year: be prepared for un-mowed dikes and access trails, flood damaged parking lots / emergency spillways, and robust wetland vegetation. Be aware of three new regulations in effect at McPherson Valley Wetlands: (1) The Big Basin has been designated as "youth only" during the youth and military waterfowl weekend, (2) the use of motorized boats is prohibited, and (3) centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited. |
| Water levels | Pumping operations at the Little Sinkhole and Big Basin are now complete for the 2025 - 2026 season. Big Basin: ~85% capacity. Chain of Lakes: ~60% capacity. Little Sinkhole Marshes: ~90% capacity. We have moved into that time of year where the wetlands are constantly going through freeze / thaw cycles. At the time of this posting, most of the wetlands were ice free, but the approaching cold front will likely cause them to freeze back over. Be aware of conditions before you head out. |
| Hunting conditions | Now that we have had some freezing weather and ice, the rank vegetation is starting to break down and open up a bit of water. |
| Expected hunting success | Good, depending upon ice and weather conditions. |
| Comments | **ATTENTION: **THERE IS A "NO TRASH POLICY" IN EFFECT AT MCPHERSON VALLEY WETLANDS. PLEASE CARRY OUT WHATEVER YOU CARRY IN, INCLUDING EMPTY HULLS AND OTHER TRASH. PLEASE TRY TO LEAVE YOUR HUNTING SPOT AS CLEAN OR CLEANER THAN IT WAS WHEN YOU ARRIVED. THANKS!!! **REFUGE AREAS: THE SOUTH REFUGE AREA IN THE BIG BASIN IS OFF-LIMITS TO ALL ACTIVITIES ALL YEAR LONG, AND THIS INCLUDES DUCK HUNTING. THERE IS NO HUNTING OR PUBLIC ACCESS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED IN THE SOUTH REFUGE IN THE BIG BASIN!! THE NORTH REFUGE IN THE BIG BASIN IS A REFUGE-IN-TIME AND IS ONLY OPEN TO PUBLIC ACCESS FROM APRIL 1ST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH, THEN IT IS CLOSED TO ALL ACTIVITIES FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO MARCH 31ST. The Little Sinkhole/Farland Lake marsh unit is included in the EARLY low-plains duck zone (as is the rest of MPWL). All shotgun hunters at McPherson Wetlands are required to use non-toxic shot for all hunting. This includes upland birds. Throughout all units, please be mindful of farmers and big equipment operators needing to access and maintain roads. Park in designated parking areas when possible, and not on the roadsides. |
