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Clinton Lake Hunting

Clinton Lake Hunting Areas Map and Brochure

Clinton Lake Interactive Hunting Area Map

Clinton Lake offers many hunting opportunities and a variety of game. The public land surrounding the lake is a mix of cropland, grassland and timber, providing excellent habitat for game species.  Deer, quail, turkey, waterfowl, dove, rabbit and squirrel may be found on these public hunting lands.

There are over 9,000 acres of public land available to hunting at Clinton Lake. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism manages much of the land, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the remainder. The parks and the dam are closed to hunting, but most of the remaining land surrounding Clinton Lake is open to hunting.  However, some areas are designated for archery and/or shotshell only, so please be aware of the regulations for each individual unit.

In addition to the main body of water, waterfowl hunters can take advantage of the Coblentz Marsh, located near the Shawnee/Douglas County line on the Wakarusa River arm of the lake.

Most hunting accidents occur because of improper gun handling. Two of the most common accidents are caused by hunters swinging on game and hunters mistaken for game. Hunter Education training and the wearing of blaze orange can reduce the chances of being involved in an accident.

Hunting Policies

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Clinton Lake

Use of Tree Stands, Blinds, Baits and Decoys Portable Tree Stands and Portable Blinds

1. Portable tree stands and ground blinds used for hunting may be placed not more than 14 days before the hunting season for which the blind or stand will be used, and shall be removed from public property within 14 days after the hunting season for which the blind or stand was placed has ended.

2. Ladders and steps attached by ropes, cables, or chains may be used for access to portable tree stands and shall be removed when the portable tree stand is removed. All such stands and accessories must be non-bark penetrating only (i.e. no screw in or nail on stands or accessories).

3. Natural blinds may be used for any authorized activity and shall be constructed of natural herbaceous materials or woody debris, or both, that are dead and down and that are present at the site of the natural blind. Live trees and standing dead trees may NOT be cut and used for natural blinds.

4. Each portable blind and portable tree stand shall be marked with the user’s name, address, phone number and the user’s Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism (KDWPT) department-issued identification number in a visible, legible, and weatherproof manner.

5. Permanent hunting stands or blinds are not permitted.

6. The cutting of trees and/or tree limbs is not permitted.

7. Any individual may use a placed portable blind, portable tree stand, or natural blind when the blind or stand is not occupied.

8. Any blind, stand, or climbing device not in conformance with regulations or posted notice provisions or restrictions may be removed/impounded or destroyed by the government.

9. Cellular game cameras are not allowed.

Baiting and Decoys

1. For the purposes of this policy, “bait” shall mean any grain, fruit, vegetable, nut, hay, salt, sorghum, feed, other food, or mineral that is capable of attracting wildlife. Liquid scents and sprays shall not be considered bait.

2. No person shall place, deposit, expose, or scatter bait while hunting or preparing to hunt on USACE lands in the State of Kansas or place, deposit, expose, or scatter bait in a manner that causes another person to be in violation of this policy.

3. Hunting shall be prohibited within 100 yards of any bait placed, deposited, exposed, or scattered on USACE lands in the State of Kansas. Bait shall be considered placed, deposited, exposed, or scattered on public lands for 10 days following complete removal of the bait.

4. Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the hunting or taking of wildlife over standing crops, grain found scattered solely as the result of normal agricultural operations, or grain found scattered solely as the result of normal weather conditions.

5. Decoys shall not be left unattended overnight. Violations are subject to a written warning or citation in accordance with Title 36, Chapter III, Part 327, Rules and Regulations governing public use of Corps of Engineers Water Resource Development Projects.

All federal and state game laws apply to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. If you have any questions contact the Clinton Lake Project Office at (785) 843-7665.

Clinton Lake Waterfowl Hunting Information

Duck blinds and waterfowl hunting is allowed at Clinton Lake.  Hunters are asked to observe the following restrictions and safety precautions.

   1. Non-toxic shot is required to hunt all waterfowl at Clinton Lake.   Legal shot includes steel, tin, bismuth-tin, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix and steel shot coated with copper, nickel, zinc chromate or zinc chloride.

   2. A refuge, established by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, extends ½ to ¾ mile on either side of the Wakarusa River bridge.  Any and all activity within the refuge is prohibited from October 1 to January 15.  

   3. All blinds must constructed of natural vegetation (dead brush, grass, cattails, etc.).  Do not cut living or standing dead trees.

   4. The use of blinds is on a first-come, first-served basis.  In other words, if someone arrives to the blind, that you built on a previous day, at 5:30 a.m. and you arrive at 6:00 a.m. then they have the right to use the blind.

   5. Land and boat blinds may not be closer than 150 yards to another blind.

   6. Hunting is not allowed within 200 yards of boat ramps or within 100 yards of the shoreline to any park.

   7. Boats that are used for hunting may not be left unattended on the project overnight or they will be considered abandoned and impounded.

   8. Vehicles must remain on established roadways.

   9. Pit blinds are not allowed.

   10. It would benefit hunters to scout the area prior to hunting.

   11. Hunters are reminded to observe ALL posted signs and Kansas hunting regulations.

   12. Be prepared for cold weather – dress in layers of clothing, wear rubber or water- proof boots, gloves that provide warmth and shed water.  Know the signs of hypothermia.  Wear a life jacket if you have to use a boat to get to the blind.  

    13. Cellular game cameras are not allowed.