Please join us for Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, June 6!
We’ll be casting lines and making memories at the North Shore Boat Ramp from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Whether your child is a seasoned angler or trying fishing for the very first time, it’s a great chance to get outside and reel in some fun! Rods and reels will be available during the event.
Even better — the event falls during Kansas Free Fishing Days, which means anyone can fish public waters without a state fishing license. Just remember: length and creel limits still apply.
Come enjoy a morning of fishing, fresh air, and family fun at Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge!
Visit Us
Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see prairie wildlife and wildflowers. Early morning or just before sunset are the best times to observe wildlife. Enjoy walking, hiking, fishing, hunting, bicycling, and/or driving the Refuge.
Location and Contact Information
The current pool elevation of Kirwin Reservoir is 1711.93 feet (4.81 feet below the previous year). Due to the low water level, boating access is very limited. At this time, the only usable boat ramp is:
- The north ramp at the South Shore boat launch
- The ramp at Scout Cove (south of Crappie Point) is NOT available at this time. Scout Cove is reserved for the Dane G. Hansen Scout Reservation through June.
Please be advised that water depth at the South Shore Boat Ramp may still be insufficient for safely launching larger boats. Use caution and launch at your own risk.
The Low Water Boat Ramp at North Dam may become usable later this summer, depending on precipitation and drawdowns by the Kirwin Irrigation District. It is currently under 3 to 4 feet of water.
About Us
Along the seam, where the tall and short grasses of the rolling prairie embrace and dance in the Kansas wind, two valleys join and beckon abundant wildlife and visitors alike. Visitors to the refuge will find themselves charmed by the melody of the meadowlark, captivated by the expansive vistas from limestone outcrops, and delighted by the bountiful resources of its land and waters. Wildlife-dependent recreation amid the solitude of the Refuge, provide present and future generations with an experience to remember for a lifetime.
What We Do
The purpose of the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge is the conservation, maintenance, and management of wildlife resources and habitat with an emphasis on migratory birds.
Our Species
The Refuge provides food, shelter, and nesting areas for migratory grassland and tree-dwelling birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and cranes. These include sandhill and the endangered whooping cranes, Canada geese, northern pintail, American wigeon, mallards, greater prairie chickens, western meadowlarks, great blue herons, and many more. Many mammals like the black-tailed prairie dog and white-tailed deer can also be seen on Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge.
