Council Bluff Recreation Area
This 440 acre lake is the largest of the lakes in the Mark Twain National Forest. The recreation area serves anglers, campers, picnickers, hikers, bicyclists, and swimmers. Drinking water and vault toilets are conveniently located.
Trail: 13-mile trail circles the lake along the shore, linking Wild Boar Hollow Boat Launch and Chapel Hill.
Use: Foot travel, mountain bike
Distance: 13 miles
Campgrounds: 39 single sites, 7 double sites, 9 walk-in sites, and 4 group sites, each with table, fire ring, lantern post and (except for walk-in sites) a parking spur. Some sites will accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. No electric or water hookups, showers available from May 26 to Septmeber 10, or dump station facilities. Nightly fees for single sites are $8; double sites are $16; group sites are $25.
Picnic Area: 14 single sites, 2 double (one is barrier-free) each with table and grill. Day use fee: $3 per standard vehicle; $12 per bus. Season pass $20. Pavilion can be reserved through recreation.gov for $34.00 per day.
Swimming/water play: Chapel Hill Beach. Open May 26 - September 10.
Changing rooms, flush toilets, water fountains, body showers, and a sand beach are provided. A small play area with slide and climbing structure is adjacent to the beach. No lifeguard on duty.
Hunting: During the official season, wildfowl hunting is permitted on Council Bluff Lake; blinds and decoys must be removed daily. The Enough Fields at the south end of the lake provide upland game.
Fishing: This 440-acre lake, located on Mark Twain National Forest in Iron County, boasts the best redear sunfish population in the region. Fish 7-10” are very abundant (Master Angler fish = 10”), although 11-12” fish are not uncommon. These fish are most readily caught during the spring and early summer on small worms or crickets. Due to very clear water, fish are often found deeper than in other lakes, even during the spawn. Fish for redears on the bottom in water 4-15' deep, targeting points and the mouths of coves. Bluegill are less abundant but of quality size (7-9”) and can be found in the lake’s abundant submerged timber. Look for redear and bluegill spawning beds in shallow water in May and June. Largemouth bass are abundant and they average 12-18”. They can be challenging to catch in the clear water, requiring finesse and light tackle. Topwaters in the very late evening and early morning are often the ticket. Channel catfish are stocked annually. The MDC is conducting a study on channel catfish in Council Bluff. A number of catfish in the lake have been marked with tags worth from $10 to $100. If you catch a tagged catfish, return the tag to: Mo. Dept. of Conservation, 1110 South College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65201. Along with the tag, be sure to send the following information–date fish was caught, length of fish, whether fish was kept or released, and your name and address. Angling should continue to be good for catfish up to 20”. There is a concrete boat ramp off Highway DD and a gravel ramp off Highway 32.
Boating: A "no-wake" policy is in effect. Canoes and paddle boats are available for rent, when the beach is open. There are two boat launches on Council Bluff Lake. Wild Boar Hollow Boat Launch which is on the northern end of the lake and accessible from Hwy DD, has a paved circle drive, an 18-foot-wide concrete ramp, and a 60-foot floating dock. There is a $3 charge for launching. Enough Boat Launch is a gravel ramp on the south end of the lake and is accessible from Hwy 32.
How to get here:
From Potosi, MO, go south 13 miles on Hwy P. Turn right on Hwy C, go 1/4 mile; turn left on Hwy DD. It's about 7 miles to the entrance. Turn at the sign and follow the paved access road.
From Steelville, MO, Hwy 19 south to Hwy 49 at Cherryville, turn left to Hwy 32 at Bixby, left to County Hwy 16, left to Enough Boat Launch.
On-site host will assist you. Open May 1 through October 15.