#Wilson Lake – Share the Outdoors

The unique Swedish heritage of Lindsborg is evident in architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
Hunts for whitetail deer, bison, turkey, and other species are offered at Kansas Trophy Whitetails, near Hudson, KS.
Megan Hilbish calling turkeys. Jon Blumb photo

Year-round hunting and fishing abound with much public land and water.
Birders, hikers, bikers, paddlers and beachgoers will find top-notch fun here.

by David Zumbaugh

The Outdoor Communicators of Kansas discovered Lindsborg as the home base for the spring conference on May 4- 6, 2025. “Välkommen till Lindsborg” is the city motto and welcome us they did! The unique Swedish heritage of the small town, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions, was a delightful surprise. This tight-knit community promotes the art scene with small and large galleries, including the Birger Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery.

Lindsborg hosts several large festivals that celebrate its culture, art, and local businesses. The city’s website and Facebook page provide detailed descriptions of events, along with the dates for planning a visit. OCK was hosted for dinner by Holly Lofton, Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, at the wonderful Sundstrom Conference Center (https://www.lindsborgcity.org/visitor-information).

Downtown Lindborg, Kansas. *Jon Blumb photo*

Jim Richardson, a National Geographic Photographer. *Jon Blumb photo*

A craft improvement seminar inspired the group to focus on taking enhanced pictures with cell phones. Jim Richardson, a National Geographic photographer, detailed settings on the camera mode on Apple and Android devices to get creative, professional results. He displayed images side by side on a big screen, comparing phone pictures with photos taken with the most expensive cameras. Differences could hardly be noticed! Jim and his wife, Kathy, run the Small World Gallery at 127 North Main Street, which features his work (www.smallworldgallery.net).

The magnificent Birger Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery is worth a visit. Sandzén was born in Sweden in 1871 and studied art in Stockholm. He came to the USA in 1894 to teach at Bethany College in Lindsborg as the principal art instructor. He produced more than 3,000 paintings and 33,000 prints. His works are on display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri; the Brooklyn Museum of Art; the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe; the Library of Congress; the Chicago Art Institute; the Denver Art Museum; the Philadelphia Museum of Art; and the National Museum of Stockholm.

Mike Hartung is currently an active artist of Lindsborg known for his provocative and pointed satirical pieces. He creates giant-format paintings, produced in vivid colors with distorted figures to convey not-so-subtle government tributes. No politician, global or local, is safe from his commentary. Mike has established the Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center, a gallery and workshop at 114-1/2 South Main Street. Current exhibition and workshop information can be viewed on their website (www.smokyvalleyartsandfolklifecenter.org).

David Zumbaugh with his turkey. *Photo by Cody Waite*

The next several days found members fishing in the area waters, such as Kanapolis Lake. Unfortunately, even the liars couldn’t get many fish to the net. Others spent time trying to outsmart wily prairie turkeys, with only one put in the bag (by yours truly, with the help of guide Cody Waite). Calling from a high blind, other hunters observed many turkeys and deer, but were unable to get a close enough shot on a gobbler.

Highlighting the get-together was the lodging and hospitality offered by Stan Christiansen and his Kansas Trophy Whitetails operation, near Hudson, Kansas. Stan himself is an accomplished hunter and fisherman, having numerous world record animals from Africa and around the globe. Hunts for whitetail deer, bison, turkey, and other species are offered. Many Pope and Young, as well as Boone and Crockett-class, deer have been harvested on the lodge property (www.kansas-trophy-whitetails.com).

Central Kansas offers amenities that are attractive to all outdoor enthusiasts. Year-round hunting and fishing opportunities abound with much public land and water to explore. But birders, hikers, bikers, and paddlers can also find top-notch offers.

Trophy Room at Kansas Trophy Whitetails. *David Zumbaugh photo*

From birding hotspots like Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge to the miles of mountain bike and hiking trails at Wilson Lake, Kansas is a paradise for outdoor adventurers. Kanapolis and Wilson Lakes have great waters for paddleboarders, kayakers, and beachgoers.

Plan a visit to Kansas to satisfy your outdoor passions.

You will be glad you made the trip.

For more information, visit: https://www.lindsborgcity.org/visitor-information; https://ksoutdoors.com/; https://travelkansas.com; www.kansas-trophy-whitetails.com; www.smokyvalleyartsandfolklifecenter.org; www.smallworldgallery.net.

**Nationally recognized editors, writers, photographers, artists, and bloggers gather ’round the campfire on a visit to Lucas, KS, for their annual conference.**

By David Zumbaugh

The Outdoor Communicators of Kansas (OCK) chose Lucas, Kansas, for their fall 2021 conference on Nov. 20-22, 2021. OCK members include nationally recognized editors, writers, photographers, artists, and bloggers focusing on outdoor recreation.

**Lyndzee Rhine was a happy duck hunter during a field day near Lucas, KS.**

Nearby Wilson Lake is a fishing hotspot where anglers can catch walleye, white bass, striped bass, catfish, drum and even trophy big-mouthed bass. There is ample room to cruise your boat on the gorgeous 9,000 acres of water. If you prefer to patiently sit in a lawn chair and watch the world go by, you will find plenty of scenic places to fish from shore. The full-service marina in the state park is open from Apr. 1st – Nov. 1st. A host of items is offered, including groceries, live bait, fuel, fishing and camping supplies. There are 200 rental boat slips available.

Surrounding Lake Wilson is more than 8,000 acres of public hunting access. Deer hunting is popular with hilly terrain providing spot and stalk opportunities. Small game hunters can wear out a pair of boots chasing pheasants, quail and even prairie chickens! Wild turkeys, rabbits and squirrels are present as well. Waterfowl hunting can sometimes get frenzied on the reservoir’s upper end and the many coves and backwater wetlands. There are thousands more acres within Russell and adjacent counties of Walk-In-Hunting-Access (WIHA). The WIHA Atlas is available online.

Abundant camping opportunities exist, including Wilson State Park, Minooka Park, Lucas Park and Sylvan Park. Cabins and camper hookups are available, and reservations are recommended. Several hiking trails attract both hardcore nimrod hikers and the less ambitious. The Cedar Trail in the Otoe area is an easy one-mile loop with a concrete surface. The 25-mile Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail is a national bucket list challenge for cyclists.

**Tommie Berger explains the “Yellow Brick Road.”**

Other area attractions include the Post Rock Scenic Byway driving tour, Garden of Eden, Grassroots Art Center, Possumbilities Antique shop and Kansas Originals Market. Lodging is available in Lucas at the Garden View Lodge, Horseshoe Lodge, Cozy Cottage, Lucas RV Park, and Set in Stone Cabins. Many other lodging choices and services can be found in Russell and Wilson, Kansas.

A short one-hour drive south will reward you with a visit to Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, the largest wetland in the interior of the United States. More than 300 species of birds have been documented in the bottoms, especially important for shorebirds. Whooping cranes are annual visitors, and people travel from around the globe to witness the antics of the whoopers. Some pools are open for waterfowl hunting, so it gets popular on the weekends during duck season.

OCK members were surprised at Lucas’s variety of services and supplies, such as from the Home Oil Service Convenience store. They were awed and spooked by the eclectic displays at the Garden of Eden! A Bar-B-Que at the Garden View Lodge with meats sourced from Brant’s Market kept everyone’s energy at peak for their hunting efforts. Jason Vanley of Kansas Outdoor Adventures provided guiding services for pheasants and quail. His dogs entertained everyone at the evening social gathering.

Lucas is located in the heart of the Smokey Hills, and many visitors consider this area the most beautiful in the state. Local businesses graciously offered support for hunting and fishing pursuits, and the Russell County Convention and Visitors Bureau provided generous hospitality to the group. Visit https://lucaskansas.com/visit for more information.

Tag: #Wilson Lake

Outdoor Communicators of Kansas visit Lucas, Kansas – Outdoor Paradise: Fishing, Hunting, Hiking, Biking, and More