Acquisition: The state fishing lake and surrounding property was obtained in 1956 for the development of a recreational fishing lake. In 1990 an additional 226 acres of CRP grassland was added as a 50 year conservation easement through a cooperative agreement between Tracy Farms, FmHA and KDWP. The easement property was added to supplement the limited amount of public hunting property located in western Kansas. The easement will remain in effect until the year 2040, at which time it will return to the heirs of the current landowner.

Description: Located in the shortgrass prairie of western Kansas this property is composed of a 94 acre lake bed including approximately 12 acres of riparian timber, 338 acres of upland shortgrass prairie surrounding the lake bed and 226 acres of CRP. Current management of the area consists of upland game and deer habitat enhancement for public hunting. However, when water is present, fish are stocked as soon as possible to provide angling opportunities. Camping, hiking and bird watching are also common activities on the area.

Located in an area of Kansas that averages only 18" of precipitation per year the lake is dry more often than not. In most years the body of water present, if any, is a shallow pool confined to the lake bottom and several beaver dams located in the upper end of the drainage. When enough water is present in the lake to support long-term fish survival, the lake is stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish. Stocking is totally dependent on the availability of water and fish.

The wildlife area offers the opportunity to hunt a wide variety of game species including mule and white-tailed deer, ring-necked pheasants, rabbits, mourning dove , waterfowl (when water is present) and several furbearer species. Annual food plots are established adjacent to and in the drainage when precipitation patterns allow.