WAPPAPELLO — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake (USACE) announces the opening and closing schedule of the Asher Creek, Lost Creek and the Holliday Landing waterfowl refuges during the upcoming duck season (middle zone) including all splits.
These refuges were established to provide resting places for migrating waterfowl in the Mississippi flyway.
During duck season, portions of these areas will be closed to vehicle and boat traffic, however we remind visitors that foot traffic is still welcomed unless otherwise designated by posted signage.
From now through Sunday, Jan. 9, these closures and openings are as follows:
• Asher Creek Waterfowl Refuge — the Asher Creek Waterfowl Refuge, which is adjacent to the Lake Wappapello State Park, is closed to hunting year-around. Buoys marked “No Boats – Waterfowl Refuge” will be placed on the lake across Asher Creek Cove. Should the cove be frozen over on Jan. 10, the refuges will be considered open and the buoys will be removed as soon as lake conditions permit.
• Lost Creek Waterfowl Refuge — Closures will include some USACE gates and roadways in the Lost Creek area. The gate at Warner Davis (USACE Road #9) and Lost Creek Low Water Bridge (USACE Road #8) in the Shook area will be closed. The refuge boundary in this area follows USACE Road #9. Firearms’ hunting is not permitted on the lake side of this road during duck season, however archery hunting is allowed.
In the Davis Schoolhouse area, the gate will be closed on USACE Road #10. The refuge boundary in this area is the lake shoreline so firearms’ hunting is permitted beyond this closed gate.
A “Boat Ramp Closed” sign will also be placed at the Lost Creek Landing boat ramp. Buoys marked “No Boats – Waterfowl Refuge” will be placed on the lake across the Lost Creek cove. Should the cove be frozen over on Jan. 10, the refuge will be considered open and the buoys will be removed as soon as lake conditions permit.
Although the above roads, coves and gates will reopen on Jan. 10, hunters are reminded that no waterfowl hunting is allowed in the Lost Creek Waterfowl Refuge, including teal, Canada geese, and snow geese.
• Holliday Landing Waterfowl Refuge — is closed to all entry, by both land and water access, during the zoned duck season including all splits except to a designated viewing location. Plans are being made to establish a viewing blind, and until the blind is available, you may enter and view wildlife only in the location designated areas. No waterfowl hunting is allowed in the Holliday Landing Waterfowl Refuge.
As a reminder, all motorized vehicles are prohibited from operating off designated roadways on lands administered by the Corps of Engineers. Please familiarize yourself with the local, state, and federal regulations governing vehicle usage prior to your trip afield.
For more information on waterfowl hunting, refuge boundaries and vehicle use policies, please contact the Wapappello Lake Management Office at 573-222-8562.