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Seven Island Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Seven Island Conservation Area is east of East Prairie on Highway 80, south on Highway 102, then east on Route A.

Highlights

This area is mostly forest with cropland and wetlands. It offers access to a couple of fishable lakes and the Mississippi River. It is home to both swamp rabbits and nesting Mississippi kites.

About This Area

Seven Island Conservation Area is in Mississippi County, 2 miles southwest of the town of Dorena and 16 miles southeast of East Prairie. The area can be reached by traveling south on Highway 102 from Highway 80 to Highway A, then south to Mississippi County Road 520. A cantilever sign at this intersection directs visitors over the Mississippi River levee and into the area.

The area consists of a nearly 8.5 mile long tract of land that is located outside the front line levee. At it's widest point the area is little less than one mile wide.

The Conservation Department made three separate purchases of land parcels in 1979, 1982 and 1985 to acquire what is now a 1,375-acre area. Of the total, 430 acres are annually rowcropped, 875 acres are forested, sloughs comprise 46 acres and small openings account for the remaining 24 acres. The area features 3.5 miles of Mississippi River frontage.

Because it is not protected by levees, the area floods regularly, enhancing its value as wetland habitat. Management of the property is presently limited to leaving a percentage of the row crop standing for wildlife consumption and improving the timber through forest management.

In addition to providing important habitat for waterfowl during periods of high water, Seven Island Conservation Area is home to deer, turkey and various songbirds and furbearers. The area also hosts two rare species, the swamp rabbit and Mississippi kite.

General Information

Region: Southeast

Counties: Mississippi

For more information call: 573-290-5730

Status: Owned by MDC

Additional Information:

Activities
Activity (Activity Explanations)	Comments (Population Definition)
Bird Watching	Most common birds to expect to see are spring and fall shorebird (during high Mississippi River levels) wading birds, waterfowl and raptor migrations. Other bird species that can be expected are woodland Neotropical migrants during peak migration periods.
Camping - Walk-in/Float-in/Backpack	Seasonal closures during deer and turkey seasons. Camping not allowed at parking lots.
Fishing - Bass	Fair population. Different regulations for Old and New #7 chutes vs. the Mississippi River.
Fishing - Catfish	Good population. Different regulations for Old and New #7 chutes vs. the Mississippi River.
Fishing - Crappie	Fair population. Different regulations for Old and New #7 chutes vs. the Mississippi River.
Fishing - Other	Good population. Carp and Buffalo. Different regulations for Old and New #7 chutes vs. the Mississippi River.
Fishing - Other	Fair population. White bass and sauger
Hiking	No designated trails
Hunting-Deer	Good population. Archery and muzzleloading methods only.
Hunting-Rabbit	Fair population.
Hunting-Squirrel	Good population.
Hunting-Turkey	Fair population. Turkey move from MO and KY frequently. Flock sightings are sporadic, but hunting can be good when turkeys are on the MO side of the Mississippi River.
Hunting-Waterfowl	Fair population. Opportunistic when Mississippi floods area

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item	Name	Count	Comments
Boat Ramp - Lake - Other	Old #7 Chute	1	Located on Old #7 Chute
Parking Lot		3	A graveled parking lot at the junction of A and teh levee; a graveled parking lot at Old #7 Chute; a dirt parking lot at New #7 Chute.

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Features
Feature Item	Name	Count	Size	Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond	New Chute #7	1	74.00 acres	74 acres, but only 9.4 acres are owned by MDC.
Fishing Lake or Pond	Old Chute #7	1	59.00 acres	59 acres
Stream - Permanent	Mississippi River	1	2.00 miles