Columbia-Area Lakes

Enjoy the Columbia area's many close-to-home fishing and outdoor recreational opportunities. You can find 12 lakes open to public fishing within 20 miles of town.

About These Lakes

Six of the lakes are owned by the City of Columbia:

Antimi (2 acres)
Cosmo-Bethel (6 acres)
Lake of the Woods (3 acres)
Twin (18 acres)
Philips Lake (44 acres)
Stephens (12 acres) lakes.

Another six lakes are owned by the University of Missouri:

Ashland (12 acres)
Dairy Lake #1 (16 acres)
Dairy Lake #3 (5 acres)
McCredie (12 acres)
South Farm R-1 (9 acres)
Turkey Farm (12 acres).

Each lake offers a different setting. Philips, Twin, Cosmo-Bethel, Antimi and Stephens lakes are located in City parks. Lake of the Woods is located at a golf course and Ashland, South Farm R-1, McCredie, Turkey Farm, Dairy Lake #1 and Dairy Lake #3 are located in rural areas. All lakes have largemouth bass and bluegill. In addition, some lakes have green sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, bullheads, grass carp or common carp.

Things to do at these lakes include fishing, frogging, hiking, picnicking, bird watching, and nature study and photography.

General Rules and Regulations

All areas are open for day use only.
Camping and swimming are prohibited.
Hunting is prohibited.
Only pole and line fishing is permitted (no more than 3 poles per person).

Community Assistance Program

In 1992 and 1994, the City and University enrolled these 12 Columbia-area lakes in the Community Assistance Program (CAP) sponsored by the Missouri Conservation Department. This program has made it possible for the fish populations in these lakes to be managed by the Conservation Department and for new parking lots, boat ramps, a disabled-accessible fishing dock and restrooms to be provided.

The Community Assistance Program, sponsored by the Missouri Conservation Department, provides fisheries management and assistance to local communities for developing and upgrading recreational facilities. In return, local communities maintain the area and facilities, and open their lakes to the public. This program provides fishing and improved facilities at lakes close to home. Everyone benefits.

Nearby Conservation Areas

Browse the MDC Applications/MDC Atlas below to find more information on these Central Region conservation areas:

Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area
Little Dixie Conservation Area
Lick Creek Conservation Area
Davisdale Conservation Area
Tri-City Community Lake
Three Creeks Conservation Area
Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
Franklin Island Conservation Area
Providence Access (Perche Creek)
Hartsburg Access (Missouri River).

For additional information, contact:

City of Columbia University of Missouri

Parks and Recreation South Farm Office

573-874-7460 or 573-882-4450

Missouri Department of Conservation

1907 Hillcrest Drive

Columbia, MO 65201-6205

573-884-6861