Public Land Duck and Goose Hunting at Keystone Lake WMA: Your Guide to Waterfowl Hunting in North-Central Oklahoma

For waterfowl hunters, Keystone Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a must-visit destination. With over 22,000 acres spread across Creek, Osage, and Pawnee counties, the area offers prime public land hunting opportunities for ducks and geese, complete with easy access points and diverse habitats. Whether you’re hunting the Arkansas River’s backwater sloughs or setting up decoys along the shallow wetlands, Keystone Lake WMA has everything a hunter could ask for. And for those coming from out of state, December Ranch is just a short drive away, offering cozy accommodations to make your hunting trip even more comfortable.

Let’s dive into the species you can expect to encounter, hunting tips, and all the essentials you need to know, from access points to regulations, to ensure your Keystone Lake adventure is both successful and memorable.

Keystone Lake WMA Accessibility and Boat Access Points

Keystone Lake WMA is well-known for its easy accessibility, making it a great spot for both beginner and experienced waterfowl hunters. The Arkansas and Cimarron Rivers flow through the WMA, with the Arkansas River in particular serving as a central hub for waterfowl activity. Public boat ramps, such as those at Salt Creek Cove and New Mannford Ramp, allow you to get on the water and set up in some of the best hunting spots on the lake.

These rivers feature shallow, meandering waters that are ideal for setting up decoys and blinds along their banks. The sandbars, mudflats, and wetlands surrounding the rivers provide prime habitat for a variety of waterfowl species, making the area a magnet for migrating ducks and geese.

Keystone Lake WMA Waterfowl Species and Habitats

One of the most exciting aspects of hunting Keystone Lake WMA is the sheer diversity of waterfowl species that call the area home. Whether you’re looking to fill your limit with ducks or take on the challenge of a goose hunt, you’re in the right place. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to harvest in this region:

Mallards: As the most popular duck species for hunters, mallards are abundant in the shallow waters and marshes of the WMA. Mallards are attracted to the Arkansas River’s shallow waters and surrounding agricultural fields, where they feed on aquatic plants, insects, and grains.
Teal: Both blue-winged and green-winged teal migrate through the area, often found in the early part of the season. These fast-flying ducks prefer shallow wetlands, making the sloughs and marshy areas along the river perfect for teal hunting.
Gadwall: Another common species in Keystone WMA, gadwall prefer open water and are often found in the ponds, lakes, and wider sections of the rivers. Their numbers increase as the season progresses, and they provide excellent shooting opportunities.
Wigeons: Wigeons can be found throughout the area, especially in wetlands and shallow water areas. They feed on aquatic vegetation and are frequently seen in mixed flocks with mallards and gadwall.
Pintails: Known for their elegant appearance and long tails, pintails are a prized species for many hunters. They prefer open areas of shallow water, making the Arkansas River’s mudflats and flooded fields prime spots for pintail action.
Diving Ducks (Scaup, Canvasbacks): In deeper sections of Keystone Lake, you’ll find diving ducks like scaup and canvasbacks. These ducks prefer open water and are often seen in the central parts of the lake.
Wood Ducks: Found in more forested areas near the riverbanks and wooded sloughs, wood ducks are a favorite for many hunters due to their beautiful plumage. They’re most active in early morning and late afternoon, so timing is key when targeting this species.

Keystone Lake WMA Goose Hunting

When it comes to geese, Keystone WMA offers exceptional opportunities to harvest Canada geese and snow geese. These birds migrate through the region in large numbers, especially during the colder months, and are often found feeding in the surrounding fields and open spaces near the rivers. Canada geese are known to frequent both the agricultural fields and river sandbars, while snow geese are more often found in the larger open areas, where their loud, honking calls can be heard from miles away. Late-season goose hunting can be especially productive as the birds group up in larger flocks, making for challenging and exciting hunts.

Hunting Regulations for Keystone Lake WMA

Before heading out, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with Oklahoma’s hunting rules and regulations, especially as they pertain to waterfowl hunting at Keystone Lake WMA:

Season Dates: Waterfowl season typically runs from early November through late January, but specific dates can vary by species and zones. Make sure to check the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) for current season dates.
Bag Limits: The daily bag limit for ducks is six, but this can include no more than five mallards (of which only two may be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, one pintail, and one scaup. Goose limits vary, with a daily limit of eight light geese (snow, blue, or Ross’s) and five dark geese (Canada or white-fronted).
Licenses and Permits: Hunters must have a valid Oklahoma hunting license, a federal migratory bird stamp, and an Oklahoma waterfowl permit. Out-of-state hunters will need to purchase non-resident licenses as well.
Legal Shooting Hours: Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.
Non-Toxic Shot: Only non-toxic shot (like steel, bismuth, or tungsten) is permitted when hunting waterfowl.
Hunting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily on the WDU portions.
That portion of the Arkansas Arm of the Keystone WMA that was previously the Waterfowl Refuge is open to restricted hunting. Lands in Osage County and the Arkansas River are restricted to archery and shotgun with pellets only. Lands in Pawnee County are restricted to archery only. The western boundary of these restricted hunting areas is a northern extension of Swan Drive in the city of Cleveland; the southern boundary is the old railroad trestle.
All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot on the Boston Pool, Buckeye Creek and Cottonwood Creek WDU portions.

Stay Close to the Action

After a long day of hunting the riverbanks and wetlands, there’s nothing better than having a comfortable place to relax and recharge. December Ranch, located just two miles from Keystone Lake WMA, offers cozy, convenient accommodations perfect for out-of-state hunters. Our 2024 30-foot Forest River Wolf Den camper is fully equipped to sleep up to four adults and comes with all the modern amenities you need.

Inside, you’ll find an air conditioner and heater to keep you comfortable no matter the weather, plus a full kitchen complete with a convection oven, microwave, fridge, and Keurig coffee maker for those early morning hunts. We’ve also stocked the camper with pots, pans, silverware, plates, coffee mugs, and bowls, so you can enjoy a hot meal after a day out in the field. Whether you’re here for a weekend hunt or an extended stay, December Ranch provides the perfect base camp for your waterfowl adventure.

Hunting the Arkansas River, A Waterfowler’s Dream

The Arkansas River offers some of the most rewarding waterfowl hunting in the region. Its shallow, winding channels and expansive sandbars create ideal conditions for ducks and geese alike. Whether you’re setting up decoys in the river’s sloughs or watching flocks of geese move over the fields, the river provides a range of opportunities for hunters. Boat access is key for reaching some of the best hunting spots, and with Keystone WMA’s well-maintained ramps, you’ll have no problem getting where you need to go.

With its rich habitat diversity, abundance of species, and excellent public land access, Keystone Lake WMA is a waterfowl hunter’s paradise. And with December Ranch nearby offering top-notch accommodations, you’ll have everything you need for a successful and memorable hunt. So pack your gear, grab your decoys, and come experience the excitement of Oklahoma waterfowl hunting at its finest!

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