Amidon Memorial Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
The main entrance is in Madison County east of Fredericktown on Rte J, then south on Rte W and east on County Rd 208.
Highlights
The area is nearly all forest. Facilities/features: permanent stream (Castor River) and Castor River Shut-ins Natural Area.
About This Area
During your visit, you may see various forest improvement practices designed to improve wildlife habitat and maintain watershed quality. Any physical disturbance is only temporary and normal aesthetic appearance will return soon.
The Conservation Department has created watering ponds and planted food plots and agricultural crops within the forest to provide additional food sources for wildlife. Timber harvests are also an important part of habitat management; they produce forage and cover for forest wildlife.
Boundaries are marked from tree to tree with blue paint, and/or signs. State forest signs also are posted where boundaries intersect state and county roads or private lands. Please respect the rights of adjacent landowners.
Amidon Memorial Conservation Area is located south of State Highway J, approximately 8 miles east of Fredericktown. County Road 208 fords the Castor River on the area.
General Information
Southeast
Bollinger,Madison
573-290-5730
Owned by MDC
Glass containers are prohibited on the area.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Camping - Walk-in and Backpack |
Seasonal closures may apply. |
| Camping in Designated Areas |
No amenities provided. |
| Fishing - Bass |
Fair population. Smallmouth and largemouth bass. |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Fair population. |
| Hiking |
One mile loop trail at shut-ins, and good hiking on area access trails. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Dove |
Fair population. Dove field management in some years. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
| Trapping with Special Use Permit |
By permit only. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
|
1 |
Accessible through south entrance to area, which is off county road 248. Go through private gate. No amenities provided. |
| Other |
Stream Access (wade fishing) in Castor River |
1 |
Wade fishing opportunity is primarily downstream of the Castor River ShutIns. |
| Parking Lot |
|
6 |
Enter south side of property off County Road 248 through gate about 1/2 mile up the road. This is a private gate . Close it after you drive through it. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Designated Natural Area |
Castor River Shut-Ins |
1 |
209.00 acres |
Igneous rock formations and related ecosystems make this a very unique place. Glass containers are prohibited on the area. For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p76-1.htm. |
| Fishless Pond |
|
6 |
0.00 acres |
Wildlife watering ponds |
| Stream - Permanent |
Stannett Creek |
1 |
0.50 miles |
Stannett Creek is a small stream and not recommended for fishing. |
| Stream - Permanent |
Combs Branch |
1 |
0.75 miles |
Combs Branch is a small stream and not recommended for fishing. |
| Stream - Permanent |
Castor River |
1 |
1.00 miles |
Stream access (wade fishing) |
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Old Field |
100.00 |
|
| Glade |
60.00 |
|
| Forest and Woodland |
1476.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
1636.75 |
|
Designated Trails
| Trail Name |
Trail Type |
Length |
| Cedar Glade Trail |
Hiking (Non-Interpretive) |
1.00 |
Marquand Access - map
Driving Directions
Marquand Access is 3.4 miles south of Marquand on Route DD.
Highlights
This area offers access to the Castor River.
General Information
Southeast
Madison
573-290-5730
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. Rockbass |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Deer hunting is permitted under statewide seasons nd limits except: only archery methods may be used. Deer hunting with firearms is prohibited |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. Fair except in years of flooding. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Other |
Gravel Boat Slide |
1 |
|
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Castor River |
1 |
1.00 miles |
During normal flow conditions, canoeing is possible but should expect to drag frequently. |
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Old Field |
40.00 |
Open land is a mix of food plot, old field and warm season grass. |
| Forest and Woodland |
23.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
63.00 |
|
Maple Flats Access -map
Driving Directions
Maple Flats Access is 1/2-mile north of Zalma on Highway 51.
Highlights
Facilities/features: boat ramp and a permanent stream (Castor River).
General Information
Southeast
Bollinger
573-290-5730
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. Spotted and Largemouth Bass are common |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. Channel and Flathead Catfish |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. Sucker gigging can be good when water clears in winter |
| Fishing - Other |
Fair population. Walleye |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Trapping with Special Use Permit |
|
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
Maple Flats Access |
1 |
|
| Parking Lot |
Maple Flats Access |
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Castor River |
1 |
0.25 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
72.46 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
72.46 |
|
Sweetgum Access- map
Driving Directions
Sweetgum Access is north of Zalma on Highway 51 and north on Route H, then 1.5 miles west on County Road 708.
Highlights
This area is primarily cropland with some forest. Facilities/features: boat ramp and a permanent stream (Castor River).
General Information
Southeast
Bollinger
573-290-5730
Owned by MDC
This access is less then 1 mile from Castor River Conservation Area.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. Spotted and Largemouth Bass are common |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. Channel and Flathead Catfish. |
| Fishing - Other |
Fair population. Walleye |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. Sucker gigging can be good when water clears in winter. |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Fair population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
|
1 |
The end of the concrete ramp is not in the main channel of the river, except during high water. |
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Castor River |
1 |
0.50 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Crop Land |
105.00 |
|
| Forest and Woodland |
56.12 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
161.12 |
|
Headwaters Access - map
Driving Directions
Headwaters Access is east of I-55 on Highway 74.
Highlights
This area has a boat ramp on the Castor River Diversion Channel. From the ramp, it is 3 miles downstream to the Mississippi River.
General Information
Southeast
Cape Girardeau
573-290-5730
Leased
Leased from Little River Drainage District. When Cape gauge is at 33', water is on parking lot. When Cape gauge if 6-8', water too shallow to access Mississippi River.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Fishing - Bass |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. Channel catfish |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Good population. Spring fishing |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. White bass in spring when flow is adequate. |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Fair population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
|
1 |
|
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Castor River Diversion Channel |
1 |
0.00 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Other |
7.50 |
|
| Crop Land |
5.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
12.50 |
|
Block Hole Access - map
Driving Directions
On Route U, .50 mile east of the junction of routes T, N and U.
Highlights
This area provides access to the Headwater Diversion Channel.
General Information
Southeast
Cape Girardeau
573-290-5730
Leased
Boat ramp and parking lot present. Rapids prevent boat access upstream of the Block Hole.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Fair population. Largemouth and spotted. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. White bass fishing very good in spring/Walleye fishing can be good in spring. |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Fair population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
|
1 |
Boats can not access upstream of the rapids. |
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Headwater Diversion Channel |
1 |
0.50 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Old Field |
10.00 |
A combination grown up opld field & forest. |
| Total Area Acres: |
10.00 |
|
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 |
|
| Canoeing |
|
| 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 |
|
| Parking Lot |
|
2 |
Area access. |
| Parking Lot |
Dark Cypress Access |
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Castor River |
1 |
1.30 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
220.00 |
|
| Other |
13.66 |
Trails, drainages |
| Crop Land |
240.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
473.66 |
|
Aquilla Access - map
Driving Directions
1 mile west of Aquilla on Route M, then north on County Road 223 to the Castor River bridge.
Highlights
This forest and old field area provides boat access to the Castor River.
General Information
Southeast
Stoddard
573-290-5730
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Fair population. Largemouth bass |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Fair population. Carp and Buffalo |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Fair population. see area regulations |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Fair population. |
| Trapping with Special Use Permit |
|
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
|
1 |
On Castor River for canoes and small boats. |
| Parking Lotaccessible |
|
1 |
1-Gravel Parking lot with a concrete pad. |
| Privy/Restroomaccessible |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishless Pond |
small pond |
1 |
0.25 acres |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Old Channel of Castor River |
1 |
1.00 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
54.00 |
|
| Old Field |
38.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
92.00 |
|