Kirwin Reservoir, KS

Kirwin Reservoir and National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), the first national wildlife refuge in Kansas, was established in 1954 as an overlay project on a Bureau of Reclamation irrigation and flood control reservoir. The bureau owns the land and controls reservoir water levels, while the refuge staff manages all other activities on the land and water. The reservoir is fed by the North Fork of the Solomon River and Bow Creek. Both are intermittent streams, which means they may dry up in periods of low precipitation. The refuge and reservoir are open 24 hours. The primary purpose of the Kirwin NWR is to provide nesting cover, food and shelter for song birds, waterfowl, upland game birds, and mammals. Wildlife-oriented recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, and photography can also be enjoyed at the refuge. Camping is not allowed. Fishing for walleye, black crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, wipers, channel catfish and other species is permitted year round. Hunting for waterfowl and upland game is permitted during the appropriate season. Site is locates 4 miles west and 1 mile south of Kirwin, KS or 11 miles southeast of Phillipsburg, KS on State highway 9.