Eagle Lake State Game Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Eagle Lake State Game Management Area is located in the state of Missouri and offers various outdoor recreational opportunities for visitors.
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Summary
The area is popular for fishing, boating, hunting, and hiking. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of the area that includes forests, wetlands, and wildlife. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. The area also has picnic facilities and campsites for overnight stays.
One of the main attractions of the Eagle Lake State Game Management Area is the Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, which offers a vast network of trails for hiking and birdwatching. The area is also known for its waterfowl hunting opportunities. Visitors can observe various birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons.
Interesting facts about the area include that it is one of the largest wetlands in Missouri and serves as an important stopover for migratory birds. The area also has a history of coal mining, and visitors can still see remnants of old coal mines in the area.
The best time of year to visit the Eagle Lake State Game Management Area depends on the visitor's interests. Spring and fall are popular for birdwatching, while summer is ideal for fishing and boating. Hunting opportunities are available in the fall and winter months.
Overall, the Eagle Lake State Game Management Area is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. With its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, visitors are sure to have a memorable experience.
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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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Crystal Lake State Park Campground
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Thorpe Park Campground
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Thorpe County Park
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Pammel Park Campground
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Crystal Lake Roadside Park
Ellsworth College Park
Merrick City Park