Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Three miles north of Hunnewell on Route Z.

Highlights

This is a lake, cropland, forest and old fields area. Facilities/features: fishing boats at no cost, fishing dock, primitive camping, fish hatchery, picnic areas, fishing jetty and Hunnewell Lake (228 acres). Due to the threat of zebra mussels invading hatchery waters, private boats are prohibited. Anglers may bring their own electric motors for use on area boats, which are available at no cost. The area contains 75 acres of mature white oak forest and is a good place to view several species of migratory birds. Hatchery tours are available on request, and Department staff offer a variety of amphibian and fish-rearing demonstrations.

About This Area

Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area covers 1,905 acres and includes a 228-acre lake, and a fish hatchery.

Construction of Hunnewell Lake began in 1952, shortly after the land was purchased by the Conservation Department. The lake was opened for fishing in 1956 and hatchery construction began in 1958. Fish production began the following year.

Today, the hatchery raises a variety of fish including channel catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish, walleye, and hybrid sunfish for stocking in Missouri ponds and lakes. Total production is about 700,000 fish per year from 16.4 acres of hatchery ponds. Hunnewell Lake provides the water supply for the hatchery.

The land that is now Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area was originally a tall-grass prairie, sustained by rich glaciated soils. After settlement, the original prairie was gradually replaced by cultivated fields or planted to hay crops, such as fescue.

Today, some remnant stands of prairie grasses remain on the area, but no true prairie exists. Cultivation of some fields continues. Other fields are managed to encourage the growth of prairie grasses and other native plants.

The landscape is broken up by small wooded drainages which contain mostly pin oaks and locust trees. On the south side of the lake, sheltering one of the area's 2 campgrounds is a unique stand of old-growth white oak forest.

General Information

Northeast

Shelby

573-983-2201

Owned by MDC

Only Department-owned boats may be used. Boats equipped with oars are available at no charge for fishing and waterfowl hunting activities only. Users can bring their own electric motors. No other types of motors are permitted. Users are responsible for providing equipment needed to comply with Missouri State Boating laws. Consult the Missouri Watercraft Manual for details. Bait transported or held in containers with water is prohibited. No open fires. All fires must be kept in metal containers.

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Camping - Individual Campsites  Two campgrounds; about 70 camp sites. Camping is permitted only in designated areas. Seasonal closures apply. No open fires. All fires must be kept in metal containers provided by the user.  
Fishing - Bass Good population.  
Fishing - Catfish Good population. Channel and Blue Catfish 
Fishing - Crappie Good population.  
Fishing - Sunfish Good population. Bluegill and Redear 
Hunting-Deer Good population. Click on link to area regulations. 
Hunting-Quail Fair population.  
Hunting-Rabbit Good population.  
Hunting-Squirrel Fair population.  
Hunting-Turkey Fair population.  
Tours  Hatchery Tours by Appointment 

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Boats for Rent  22  Privately-owned boats are not permitted. Boats are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. Only electric motors are permitted.  
Camping Area - Individual Campsites  2  approx 70 sites.  
Dock - Fishingaccessible 1   
Fish Hatchery Hunnewell Fish Hatchery 1   
Fishing Jetty/Platformaccessible 1   
Parking Lotaccessible 15  Includes two disabled accessible parking lots. 
Privy/Restroomaccessible 4  There are two disabled accessible privies located on the area.  
Staffed Officeaccessible 1   

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond Hunnewell Lake 1 228.00 acres  

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Old Field 30.00  
Lakes/Ponds 228.00  
Grassland (non-prairie) 689.00 Cool season grass 
Other 37.20 Marshy areas near the upper ends of coves and riparian areas. 
Forest and Woodland 621.00 Mature White Oak Forest 
Crop Land 300.00  
Total Area Acres:1905.20 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
No Designated Trails

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Shooting Range General Information

This area has no shooting ranges.

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