Big Lake Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Big Lake Wildlife Management Area is a 6,600-acre conservation area located in Holt County, Missouri.
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Summary
It is known for its diverse wildlife, including waterfowl, deer, turkey, and bald eagles. Visitors can enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and birdwatching.
Some key points of interest at Big Lake Wildlife Management Area include the Big Lake State Park, which offers camping facilities, and the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to over 300 species of birds.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it was designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 1991, and that it is one of the few places in Missouri where bald eagles can be seen year-round.
The best time of year to visit Big Lake Wildlife Management Area varies depending on the activity. Hunting is allowed during specific seasons, with deer season occurring in November and turkey season occurring in the spring. The winter months are a great time to see bald eagles, while spring and fall are ideal for birdwatching. Fishing is best during the warmer months of the year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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