Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Go north from St. Charles on Highway 94 to Highway H. Follow Highway H northeast to Island Road and go north on Island Road to the area.

Highlights

This tract contains 500 acres of wetlands in addition to cropland and some forest.

About This Area

Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area is in north St. Charles County. This 917-acre area was once part of an expansive marsh ranging from St. Charles to Alton. The Marais Temps Clair marsh is an old oxbow of the Missouri River and was formed prior to the arrival of European settlers. In French, Marais Temps Clair means fair weather marsh. Located in a river floodplain, the area has served as a resting and feeding place for waterfowl for centuries. The area has 10 pools with electric pumps used to maintain water levels to provide habitat for waterbirds. Marais Temps Clair provides suitable habitat for a variety of plants, birds, mammals, amphibians, fish, and reptiles. The rare Eurasian tree sparrow frequently visits this area. Little blue herons, black-crowned night herons, king rails, ospreys, and yellow-headed blackbirds have also been spotted here. Bullfrogs, leopard frogs, spring peepers, softshells, and painted turtles are common on the area. The acquisition of the area was made possible by funds from the Conservation Sales Tax and by a donation of land, equipment, and improvements in the names of M.R. Williams and L. K. Ayers.

General Information

St. Louis

Saint Charles

314-877-6014

Owned by MDC

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bird Watching  Spring waterfowl viewing excellent. For a list of area birds, visit http://www.mobirds.org/CACHE/mdcchecklists1.asp?locID=850.  
Fishing - Catfish Fair population. Walk in access only to fishing areas in ditches and wetland pools with highly variable water levels. Fishing closed from October 15 to the close of the local duck season. The waterfowl refuge is closed to all public use from October 15 through February 15.  
Fishing - Other Fair population. Carp, Buffalo, Bowfin. Walk in access only to fishing areas in ditches and wetland pools with highly variable water levels. Fishing closed from October 15 to the close of the local duck season. The waterfowl refuge is closed to all public use from October 15 through February 15.  
Hiking  There are no designated trails but the service roads on wetland levees provide good opportunity for hiking. Access to these service roads is closed from October 15 throught the close of the local duck season. 
Hunting-Deer Fair population. Managed hunt only. Applications available in July each year. 
Hunting-Dove Good population. Daily draw at 5 am at the shop on Island Road usually through first weekend of season. Non-toxic shot only. Open daily until 1 pm only.  Dove hunting closes for the season at 1 pm on October 14.  
Hunting-Other Good population. Teal hunting-daily draw at 5 am as needed at the shop on Island Road.  Self registration when not having a drawing. Non-toxic shot only. Sunrise to sunset.   
Hunting-Other  Rail and snipe hunting are permitted prior to October 15. Check at area headquarters for daily permits and additional information. 
Hunting-Waterfowl Fair population. By reservation or daily draw. Limited number of slots available. 
Trapping with Special Use Permit  Special Use Permit Required 

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Hunting Blind - Waterfowlaccessible 1  Parking available next to boardwalk where it is approximately 60 feet to the blind. 
Parking Lot  3   

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
No Identified Features

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Forest and Woodland 45.00  
Crop Land 180.00  
Wetland 570.00  
Total Area Acres:917.84 

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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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