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Wolf Bayou Unit of Black Island Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Take the Wardell exit off I-55 and follow the eastbound outer road south to Route BB, then take Highway BB over the levee until it ends.

Highlights

This area contains bottomland forest. Facilities/features: boat ramp, Wolf Bayou (43 fishable acres), and Wolf Bayou Natural Area.

About This Area

Wolf Bayou Unit of Black Island Conservation Area is located in Pemiscot County. To reach this area, take the Wardell exit off I-55. Follow the east outer road to Hwy. BB. Follow BB several miles to where it crosses the levee. Wolf Bayou contains 263 acres, of which 220 are forest. The area was purchased with Conservation Department funds between 1971-73. 8 acres are leased from the St. Francis Levee District under a 30-year arrangement. Wolf Bayou is one of the state's last natural lowland lakes. The area provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and is managed to maintain unique forest cover and aquatic resources. Forest cover in the Bootheel region is less than 2% of the land area. The forest is a remnant of the once extensive bottomland hardwood forest that covered more than 2 million acres of the Missouri Bootheel. The area has 4 bayous totaling 43 acres of surface water. While there is little doubt the bayous are river formed, their exact origin is unclear. The deep, steep-sided , linear bayous have both washout and oxbow characteristics. Wolf Bayou itself is a designated natural area.

General Information

Region: Southeast

Counties: Pemiscot

For more information call: 573-290-5730

Status: Owned by MDC,Leased

Additional Information:

The small chute between Wolf Bayou and Hosler Bayou is very shallow and narrow, it is prone to naturally occuring log jams that make it unpassable by boat. There is a gravel boat slide to provide access to Hosler Bayou.

On Wolf Bayou Unit of Black Island Conservation Area: All public use is prohibited, except fishing and waterfowl hunting by boat, when the Mississippi River water level is at or above twenty eight feet (28') on the Caruthersville guage.

Electric Motor Only.

Activities
Activity (Activity Explanations)	Comments (Population Definition)
Bird Watching	Good population of species exists on the area.
Canoeing	This is a good place to canoe. It provides opportunity to canoe in a lowland lake and Cypress lined oxbow slews, a rare opportunity.
Fishing - Bass	Good population.
Fishing - Catfish	Good population.
Fishing - Crappie	Good population.
Fishing - Other	Good population. Carp, Buffalo
Hiking	No designated trails. This area does provide an opportunity to traverse a bottomland forest.
Hunting-Deer	Fair population. Deer are present, but the population varies. Archery deer hunting only.
Other	Turkey, Waterfowl (non-toxic shot only), and Small Game hunting is allowed. Statewide seasons and regulations apply. Populations vary and can be sporatic, access can be unpredictable.
Trapping with Special Use Permit	Contact Missouri Department of Conservation New Madrid Forestry Office for further information: 1-573-748-5134.

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item	Name	Count	Comments
Boat Ramp - Lake - Concrete	Wolf Bayou - Concrete Boat Ramp	1
Boat Ramp - Lake - Other	Hosler Bayou - Gravel Boat Slide	1	Gravel Boat Slide may not be usable as a boat ramp.
Parking Lot		2

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Features
Feature Item	Name	Count	Size	Comments
Designated Natural Area	Wolf Bayou Natural Area	1	200.00 acres	For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p94-1.htm.
Fishing Lake or Pond	Sample Bayou	1	3.00 acres	3-acre remnant oxbow slough. Access is difficult.
Fishing Lake or Pond	Hosler Bayou	1	8.00 acres	8-acre remnant oxbow slough. Access Hosler Bayou through gravel boat slide at south end of main parking lot.
Fishing Lake or Pond	Wolf Bayou	1	35.00 acres	Remnant lowland lake / oxbow slew.