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Crawford State Fishing Lake
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Drywood Creek, at the upper end of the lake.
-All photos on this page by Jim Mason |
Formed by a dam built on the West Fork of Drywood Creek in 1934 as a
Civilian Conservation Corps project, Lake Crawford has long been home to a variety of
wildlife.
The oak-hickory and riparian woodlands, plus the
surrounding grasslands and croplands, give the wildlife watcher opportunities to
see dozens of animals, ranging from butterflies to birds.
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Commonly seen mammals include white-tailed
deer, cottontail rabbits, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, and opossums.
Ducks, geese, wading birds, and shorebirds can be seen on the lake during spring and fall.
Scan the thickets for warblers during migrations. Nesting here are indigo buntings,
northern cardinals, yellow-breasted chats, and Bell's vireos. Around the fields and
prairies red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, dickcissels, grasshopper sparrows, and field
sparrows can be viewed. Look for the broadhead skink, a threatened species in Kansas, in
dead trees with woodpecker holes. Prairie lizards are found in the woodlands too. They
will climb trees to escape as you approach. Be sure to visit Farlington Fish Hatchery just
north of the dam.
 | User fee, Shelter house, Showers, Swimming Beach, Playground, Boat
ramps.
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 72
utility camping sites, 42 primitive camping sites, 4 cabins
(make a reservation
online).
Discover what to see, eat and do in Kansas.
Plan your trip today, at TravelKS.com!
 Two short
loop nature trails through riparian
woodland habitat are at the north end of the
lake. The Spider Leg Trail (named for a historic railroad bridge)
begins along the road leading to the Farlington Fish Hatchery. The
Deer Run
Nature Trail begins at the east end of the dam.
This is also the beginning point for the 7 mile Drywood
Creek Trail. Designated for both mountain bikes and hikers, it
circles the lake. You may also access the Drywood trail from any of
the numerous turn-outs on the lake drive. It is well-marked with the
signage shown at right. |
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Click the icon to find a birding list for Crawford County.
Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches
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Directions: From
Girard (10 miles NW of Pittsburg) drive 9 miles north on K-7, then 1 mile east to the
entry kiosk.
For a Google map of this site,
click here. |
Ownership:
The entity responsible for management of Crawford Lake
is the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
If you have specific questions about use or management of the site,
contact them at (620) 431-0380 or Email the Park Manager.. 440 acres
Click here to visit
the KDWPT web page for Crawford State Park.
You may download the KDWP brochure on
Crawford State Park from
the link on that page.
Click here to download a map for the Deer Run Nature Trail.
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Funded by the
Chickadee Checkoff Program
Click here for a brochure! |
The Natural
Kansas web site
© 2011
by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use
requires written permission. If you are a Kansas resident, please
assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs
by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form. |
Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
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