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 Duck Creek
Conservation Area
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Fishing Duck Creek Pool 1
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Fishing Pool #1 is a unique experience because of the extensive amounts of aquatic vegetation present. The aquatic vegetation can make navigation and fishing very difficult later in the summer, but this vegetation is the primary reason for the excellent fish populations that exist in the lake. To create open water areas, Fisheries personnel will apply aquatic herbicides in June 2008. The treatment sites will be located along the south levee. Maps showing the herbicide treatment areas can be obtained by calling the number above.
Crappie fishing should be good, with fish greater than 10 inches common. The best crappie fishing occurs in April as the water temperature approaches 50oF. Sunfish angling should also be good, with large fish (>8”) abundant. The best time to fish for bluegill, redear sunfish, and warmouth is during May and June. During this time, many sunfish anglers use crickets or jigs. Because the water is crystal clear, anglers need to use light (4 lb) fishing line.
Pool #1 supports an excellent largemouth bass population. You may not catch many bass, but the bass you catch could be large. In the 2007 fish survey, 47% of the bass were >15”. The chain pickerel population is underutilized and Master Angler size pickerel (>23”) are fairly common. The best pickerel fishing is in February, March, and April. You should use spinner baits, other weedless lures, or large minnows.
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Duck Creek Conservation Area is a remnant of the bottomland hardwood forest that once covered southeastern Missouri. Part of the area lies in the foothills of the Ozarks with the majority in the former floodplain of the Mississippi River. The 6,234-acre area contains a wide variety of habitat types and suports an abundance of plant and animal species, many of which are unique to Missouri.
The heart of the wetland system is Pool 1, a 1,800-acre manmade reservoir. It supplies water to mimic the flooding that once occurred naturally. Deep wells provide additional water for flooding.
This area contains 2,400 acres of wetland in addition to forest and some cropland. Facilities/features: 4 boat ramps, boat rentals, boat dock, primitive camping, and 6 fishing jetties.
The main entrance to the area is 6 miles south of Zalma on Highway 51.
The Conservation Department purchased land for Duck Creek Conservation Area in 1950 in order to establish a waterfowl hunting area in conjunction with Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. The area presently is managed to provide a diversity of food and shelter for both resident and migratory wetland wildlife.
Management of the area centers upon manipulation of water levels on about 2,400 wetland acres. Open marsh areas (moist soil units) within the wetland area are periodically flooded and drained to provide a variety of natural foods - seeds, tubers and insects - for waterfowl and other wildlife.
The area's forest and cropland also provide wildlife foods. Approximately 1,500 acres of native bottomland hardwoods supply acorns that are eaten by dabbling ducks, turkeys, deer, and squirrels. High-energy cereal grains and winter browse are grown on approximately 800 acres of cropped land. Most of these acres are sharecropped by neighboring farmers, who leave a portion of the crop standing in the fields for wildlife. Waterfowl rely heavily on these foods during their annual migrations.
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Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
Birding highlights include spring and fall songbird and waterbird migration, post-hunting season waterfowl observation, and late summer/early fall shorebird use. Bald Eagles are frequently observed year round. For a list of area birds, visit http://www.mobirds.org/CACHE/mdcchecklists1.asp?locID=118. |
| Camping along Roads and Parking Lots |
Camping is also allowed at 4 spots along the Pool 1 gravel roads. No amenities provided. |
| Camping in Designated Areas |
There are 2 designated camping areas with fire pads, picnic tables, and privies. |
| Dog Training with Special Use Permit |
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| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. Regualtions differ between streams and impoundments. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Fair population. Pool 1 is stocked with Channel Catfish periodically. Cypress pond is stocked with Channel Catfish annually. |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. Chain Pickerel fishing peaks in February and March. |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Hiking |
No designated trails |
| Hunting-Deer |
Fair population. Archery only south of Highway Z |
| Hunting-Dove |
Fair population. Non-toxic shot only, hunters required to sign-in and report their harvest at the area headquarters. Dove hunting is not allowed after October 14. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Good population. Non-toxic shot only, hunters required to sign-in and report their harvest at the area headquarters. Rabbit hunting is not allowed during the prescribed waterfowl season. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. Non-toxic shot only, hunters required to sign-in and report their harvest at the area headquarters. Squirrel hunting is not allowed from October 15 through the prescribed waterfowl season. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. Non-toxic shot only, spring firearms and fall archery seasons only. |
| Hunting-Waterfowl |
Good population. Daily drawing during duck season and during goose season as hunter numbers dictate. Portions of the area close at 1:00 p.m., hunters should contact area headquarters for other special regulations. |
| Trapping with Special Use Permit |
Special use permit required |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Lake - Concrete |
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4 |
All on Pool 1 |
| Boats for Rent |
Pool 1 |
1 |
Boats are tied to a floating dock, which is disabled accessible. |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
Pool 1 Camping Area |
1 |
This camping area is conveniently located on the south end of Pool 1, adjacent to the boat docks and rental facility. It shares a privy with the dock facility, and each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. It is open from the end of waterfowl season (late December or early January) through October 15. When fishing is good, especially crappie and bluegill in the spring, the camping area commonly fills up. The Pool 1 Camping Area can accommodate approximately 12 parties. |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
Headquarters Camping Area |
1 |
Large parking area in front of the office and hunter check station, adjacent to Route 51. There is a privy as well as picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite. There is room for approximately 15 parties at this camping area. The area commonly fills up quickly during archery deer and waterfowl seasons. |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
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3 |
These one-unit camping sites are open from the end of waterfowl season through October 15. There are privies nearby and a fire ring at each. There is room for only 1 party at each site. |
| Fish Cleaning Station |
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1 |
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| Fishing Jetty/Platformaccessible |
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6 |
Five rock jetties, one is disabled accessible. A floating fishing platform located on the south end of the pool is also disabled accessible. |
| Hunting Blind - Waterfowlaccessible |
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2 |
Two of the hunting blinds are accessible for handicapped hunters |
| Hunting Blind - Waterfowl |
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44 |
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| Other |
Archery Shooting Range |
1 |
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| Parking Lotaccessible |
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20 |
Waterfowl hunter parking in various locations around the area. Including 1-Gravel Parking Lot with a concrete pad. |
| Parking Lotaccessible |
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1 |
Disabled accessible parking at area headquarters. |
| Privy/Restroomaccessible |
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11 |
Disabled accessible privy at area headquarters and at the campground on the south side of Pool 1. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishing Lake or Pond |
Pool 1 |
1 |
1800.00 acres |
Fishing is permitted in designated areas except from October 15 throught the end of the areas duck season. Aquatic vegetation is quite abundant during summer months. Fisheries staff routinely treats the south portion of Pool 1 with aquatic herbicides to improve access. For more information about herbicide treatments contact the Southeast regional office at 573-290-5730. |
| Fishing Lake or Pond |
Cypress Pond |
1 |
1.00 acres |
Small pond stocked annually with Channel Catfish near area headquarters. |
| Fishless Pond |
Otter Pond |
1 |
10.00 acres |
Otter pond is located in the center of Pool 3. It is a Cypress / Tupelo swamp which varies in water depth and size. |
| Stream - Permanent |
Ditch 111 |
1 |
7.00 miles |
Stream regulations apply to Ditch 111. The majority of fishing activity occurs adjacent to Unit-A. Fishing is permitted in designated areas except from October 15 throught the end of the area's duck season. |
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
1500.00 |
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| Crop Land |
535.00 |
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| Lakes/Ponds |
1800.00 |
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| Wetland |
2400.00 |
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| Total Area Acres: |
6234.46 |
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Greenbrier Unit of Duck Creek Conservation Area
Driving Directions
Greenbrier Unit is 7 miles west of Advance on Route C.
Highlights
This area is equally divided between forest and cropland. Facilities/features: boat ramp, primitive camping, and a permanent stream (Castor River).
About This Area
Greenbrier Unit of Duck Creek Conservation Area is in southeastern Bollinger County, 7 miles west of Advance. Visitors can access the area via Bollinger County Route C, which connects state highways 51 and 25. The Conservation Department purchased this 460-acre lowland swamp to preserve a small portion of the 2.4 million acres of hardwood bottomland swamps that once covered the southeastern part of the state. Situated between Crowleys Ridge and the Ozark uplift, the swamp formed when the Mississippi River flowed through the region, eventually leaving a flat, poorly drained topography. Runoff from the Ozark hills caused the Castor River to flood the surrounding swamp. The floodplain consisted of lowland hardwood forests of bald cypress, tupelo gum, overcup, pin oak, cherry bark and willow oaks. The area presently supports populations of swamp rabbits, otter, osprey, and bald eagles. Visitors to the Greenbrier Unit will find a variety of habitat, including Castor River frontage, agricultural fields, oxbows, sloughs, old river bluffs, and oak-hickory ridges. In addition to these natural surroundings, several acres have been planted with walnut, sweetgum, corkwood, and pine trees. The area also features a developed river access.
General Information
Southeast
Bollinger
573-290-5730
Owned by MDC,Leased
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
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| Canoeing |
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| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. Spotted and Largemouth Bass are common. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. Channel and Flathead Catfish. |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Fair population. Walleye |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. Sucker gigging can be good when water clears in winter. |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Fair population. See area regulations |
| Hunting-Dove |
Fair population. Non-toxic shot only. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Waterfowl |
Good population. Opportunistic depending upon rainfall. |
| Trapping with Special Use Permit |
Special Use Permit Required |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
Dark Cypress Access |
1 |
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| Parking Lot |
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2 |
Area access. |
| Parking Lot |
Dark Cypress Access |
1 |
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Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Castor River |
1 |
1.30 miles |
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Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
220.00 |
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| Other |
13.66 |
Trails, drainages |
| Crop Land |
240.00 |
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| Total Area Acres: |
473.66 |
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