Duck Creek Conservation Area

Driving Directions

The main entrance is 9 miles north of Puxico on Highway 51.

Highlights

This area contains 2,400 acres of wetland in addition to forest and some cropland. Facilities/features: 4 boat ramps, boat rentals, boat dock, primitive camping, 6 fishing jetties, and lake (1,800 acres).

About This Area

Duck Creek CA will be undergoing Golden Anniversary Wetland renovations over the next few years. Stay in touch with renovation plans at our new blog.


Duck Creek Conservation Area is a remnant of the bottomland hardwood forest that once covered southeastern Missouri. Part of the area lies in the foothills of the Ozarks with the majority in the former floodplain of the Mississippi River. The 6,234-acre area contains a wide variety of habitat types and suports an abundance of plant and animal species, many of which are unique to Missouri. The Conservation Department purchased land for Duck Creek Conservation Area in 1950 in order to establish a waterfowl hunting area in conjunction with Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. The area presently is managed to provide a diversity of food and shelter for both resident and migratory wetland wildlife. Management of the area centers upon manipulation of water levels on about 2,400 wetland acres. Open marsh areas (moist soil units) within the wetland area are periodically flooded and drained to provide a variety of natural foods - seeds, tubers and insects - for waterfowl and other wildlife. The heart of the wetland system is Pool 1, a 1,800-acre manmade reservoir. It supplies water to mimic the flooding that once occurred naturally. Deep wells provide additional water for flooding. The area's forest and cropland also provide wildlife foods. Approximately 1,500 acres of native bottomland hardwoods supply acorns that are eaten by dabbling ducks, turkeys, deer, and squirrels. High-energy cereal grains and winter browse are grown on approximately 800 acres of cropped land. Most of these acres are sharecropped by neighboring farmers, who leave a portion of the crop standing in the fields for wildlife. Waterfowl rely heavily on these foods during their annual migrations.


General Information

Southeast

Stoddard,Bollinger,Wayne

573-290-5730

Owned by MDC,Leased

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bird Watching  Birding highlights include spring and fall songbird and waterbird migration, post-hunting season waterfowl observation, and late summer/early fall shorebird use. Bald Eagles are frequently observed year round. For a list of area birds, visit http://www.mobirds.org/CACHE/mdcchecklists1.asp?locID=118.  
Camping - Individual Campsites  There are 2 designated camping areas with fire pads, picnic tables, and privies.  
Camping - Primitive Area  Camping is also allowed at 4 spots along the Pool 1 gravel roads. No amenities provided. 
Dog Training with Special Use Permit   
Fishing - Bass Good population. Regualtions differ between streams and impoundments. 
Fishing - Catfish Fair population. Pool 1 is stocked with Channel Catfish periodically. Cypress pond is also stocked with Channel Catfish periodically.  
Fishing - Crappie Good population.  
Fishing - Other Good population. Chain Pickerel fishing peaks in February and March. 
Fishing - Sunfish Good population.  
Hiking  No designated trails 
Hunting-Deer Fair population. Archery only south of Highway Z 
Hunting-Dove Fair population. Non-toxic shot only, hunters required to sign-in and report their harvest at the area headquarters. Dove hunting is not allowed after October 14.  
Hunting-Rabbit Good population. Non-toxic shot only, hunters required to sign-in and report their harvest at the area headquarters. Rabbit hunting is not allowed during the prescribed waterfowl season. 
Hunting-Squirrel Good population. Non-toxic shot only, hunters required to sign-in and report their harvest at the area headquarters. Squirrel hunting is not allowed from October 15 through the prescribed waterfowl season. 
Hunting-Turkey Good population. Non-toxic shot only, spring firearms and fall archery seasons only. 
Hunting-Waterfowl Good population. Daily drawing during duck season and during goose season as hunter numbers dictate. Portions of the area close at 1:00 p.m., hunters should contact area headquarters for other special regulations.  
Trapping with Special Use Permit  Special use permit required 

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Boat Ramp - Lake - Concrete  4  All on Pool 1 
Boats for Rent Pool 1 1  Boats are tied to a floating dock, which is disabled accessible. 
Camping Area - Individual Campsites Pool 1 Camping Area 1  This camping area is conveniently located on the south end of Pool 1, adjacent to the boat docks and rental facility. It shares a privy with the dock facility, and each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. It is open from the end of waterfowl season (late December or early January) through October 15. When fishing is good, especially crappie and bluegill in the spring, the camping area commonly fills up. The Pool 1 Camping Area can accommodate approximately 12 parties.  
Camping Area - Individual Campsites Headquarters Camping Area 1  Large parking area in front of the office and hunter check station, adjacent to Route 51. There is a privy as well as picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite. There is room for approximately 15 parties at this camping area. The area commonly fills up quickly during archery deer and waterfowl seasons.  
Camping Area - Individual Campsites  3  These one-unit camping sites are open from the end of waterfowl season through October 15. There are privies nearby and a fire ring at each. There is room for only 1 party at each site.  
Fish Cleaning Station  1   
Fishing Jetty/Platformaccessible 6  Five rock jetties, one is disabled accessible. A floating fishing platform located on the south end of the pool is also disabled accessible. 
Hunting Blind - Waterfowlaccessible 2  Two of the hunting blinds are accessible for handicapped hunters 
Hunting Blind - Waterfowl  44   
Other Archery Shooting Range 1   
Parking Lotaccessible 20  Waterfowl hunter parking in various locations around the area. Including 1-Gravel Parking Lot with a concrete pad. 
Parking Lotaccessible 1  Disabled accessible parking at area headquarters.  
Privy/Restroomaccessible 11  Disabled accessible privy at area headquarters and at the campground on the south side of Pool 1.  

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond Pool 1 1 1800.00 acres Fishing is permitted in designated areas except from October 15 throught the end of the areas duck season. Aquatic vegetation is quite abundant during summer months. Fisheries staff routinely treats the south portion of Pool 1 with aquatic herbicides to improve access. For more information about herbicide treatments contact the Southeast regional office at 573-290-5730. 
Fishing Lake or Pond Cypress Pond 1 1.00 acres Small pond stocked annually with Channel Catfish near area headquarters. 
Fishless Pond Otter Pond 1 10.00 acres Otter pond is located in the center of Pool 3. It is a Cypress / Tupelo swamp which varies in water depth and size. 
Stream - Permanent Ditch 111 1 7.00 miles Stream regulations apply to Ditch 111. The majority of fishing activity occurs adjacent to Unit-A. Fishing is permitted in designated areas except from October 15 throught the end of the area's duck season. 

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Forest and Woodland 1500.00  
Crop Land 535.00  
Lakes/Ponds 1800.00  
Wetland 2400.00  
Total Area Acres:6234.46 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
No Designated Trails

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Shooting Range General Information

90*4'32.6"

37*2'50.4"

n/a

UnManned

Tuesday

1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, unless posted otherwise.

Click Shooting Ranges for more information.

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