Glen Elder Wildlife Area
Location/Address:
Manager: Chris Lecuyer
Fish Biologist: Scott Waters
Phone: (785)545-3345
Current Events on the Wildlife Area
Spring is definitely here and it's a great time to enjoy the outdoors. Get in on the white bass run up the rivers, catch a bunch of crappie during the spawn, and of course, try to call that big gobbler in!
---
The early spring has given us a chance to get a head start on several habitat projects already. Click Here to learn about some of our recent work.
---
Get the latest Regional waterfowl reports here.
-----
Glen Elder Reservoir (Waconda Lake) was constructed in 1969 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. It was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1946 and built for both flood control and irrigation, with secondary uses of recreation, fish and wildlife. Current allocations of the 219,420 acre-foot storage water are Glen Elder Irrigation District (132,500 ac-ft./yr.), City of Beloit (2,000 ac-ft./yr), and Mitchell County RWD (1,009 ac-ft./yr.).
Glen Elder Wildlife Area encompasses almost 13,200 land acres surrounding the 12,500 acre Glen Elder Reservoir. Located 13 miles west of Beloit, KS. on U.S. Highway 24, the lake was built in 1968 for irrigation, flood control, and recreation. Because the irrigation district below the reservoir was never fully established, the demand is lower than other western Kansas lakes, and the water level remains relatively stable.
You can see and photograph a diversity of wildlife species. In winter, bald and golden eagles visit. Deer and pheasant are common sights. Waterfowl stop on their migrations, and a small Canada goose flock make the area home.
For more information about the area, check the kiosks located around the reservoir or contact the Glen Elder Area Office.
HUNTING
Public hunting areas are limited in Kansas, so demand is high. Less than 1% of Kansas land is public. Management continually seeks to enhance quality.
MENTOR & NOVICE AREA: approximately 1,000 acres on the Southeast part (Walnut Creek) is open to novice hunters and their mentors, both novice and mentor may hunt. Novice = hunters 18 and younger or a person who has not previously hunted the game they are pursuing in Kansas, or any other state. Mentor = adult over 18 must accompany at least 1 novice hunter.
SPECIAL HUNTS: Special hunts for pheasant, waterfowl and deer are offered through the season. Special hunts for youth only are also available. Online applications for these hunts will begin in July on the KDWPT website. For more details about special hunts, contact the Glen Elder Office. KDWPT and the Waconda Lake Association have organized and held a Youth, Women and Celebrity Pheasant Hunt for the past 13 years.
SPECIAL DISABILITY AREA: a 160 acre area on the southeast corner is open to vehicle access for disabled persons through a special permit. Contact the Glen Elder Area Office for details.
BIG GAME: Deer populations cycle with habitat and hunter harvest. Most deer are whitetails with a few mule deer in the area. Turkey numbers are fair in the local area, but their usage of the WA varies seasonally.
UPLAND GAME:Pheasant populations fluctuate yearly with the most hunting pressure during the season opener. Diverse habitats - grass, crops, weeds- produce the best results. Quail numbers are generally fair. In some areas vegetation is heavy and can be difficult to walk through.
MIGRATORY BIRDS: Doves are plentiful until cold weather moves in. Sunflower fields are the best hunting. Geese and ducks use the area during migration, depending upon habitat conditions. Most goose hunting occurs when the geese leave the area to feed. Early season duck numbers depend on flooded shoreline vegetation. A water level plan that lowers the lake in June and raises it in September is planned each year, but only rainfall makes the plan work. Duck and goose numbers usually peak in December.
- Two areas are seasonally closed to all activities except special hunts by permit only. A refuge is in effect on 1,200 acres west of the Cawker City Causeway and on 1,050 acres near Granite Creek. Refuge dates for both areas are from November 1 to January 31.
- Six boat ramps are located around the wildlife area and two in the state park. Low water hazards may exist west of a line from Granite Creek to Mill Creek, so caution and reduced speeds should be used in this area.
- Developed campgrounds with modern facilities are available in the Glen Elder State Park located on the north-east corner of the lake. Primitive camping on the Wildlife Area is only allowed in designated areas which include: North Fork, Fisherman's Bridge, Carr Creek, Boller Point, Schoen's Cove, and Bluffs. Hunting and fishing are the primary activities on the area and camping is secondary. Due to shifts in work priorities and vandalism and abuse, the number of camping areas have been reduced. Hunters and anglers are fortunate to have Glen Elder State Park where camping is a priority. The State Park provides an excellent place for persons wanting to camp while hunting and fishing at Glen Elder.
- Campfires are only allowed at designated camping sites and only in the metal fire rings that are provided.
- We ask is that you leave the area cleaner than you found it. No trash receptacles are available.
- Hiking and bicycle riding is permitted throughout the area (except for the refuges). Horse riding is limited to open, maintained roadways.
- Motorized vehicles can only be operated on open, maintained roadways. Some roads are open seasonally to provide angler access.
Printable Version