Fish Lake Wildlife Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Fish Lake Wildlife Area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Missouri.
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Summary
The area covers 7,900 acres and features a variety of habitats including forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and bird watching.
One of the main attractions of Fish Lake Wildlife Area is the diverse wildlife that can be found there. It is home to more than 200 species of birds, including bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and great blue herons. Other animals that can be seen include deer, turkeys, and beavers.
There are several points of interest within the wildlife area, including the Fish Lake Conservation Area, which is located in the southwestern part of the area. It features a 22-acre lake that is open for fishing and boating. The area also has several hiking trails, including the 2.5-mile Fish Lake Trail, which winds through the forest and offers views of the lake.
One interesting fact about Fish Lake Wildlife Area is that it was created in the 1950s as part of a conservation program to restore wildlife habitats that had been destroyed by farming and logging.
The best time of year to visit Fish Lake Wildlife Area depends on the activity you want to do. Spring and fall are popular times for bird watching, while summer is a good time for fishing and boating on the lake. Hunting is allowed during specific seasons, so check with the Missouri Department of Conservation for regulations and dates.
Overall, Fish Lake Wildlife Area is a great destination for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and wants to experience Missouri's diverse wildlife and habitats.
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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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