Rock Lake Conservation Area

This property comprises 275 acres in southern Kirksville, Missouri. Adjacent to the Northeast Regional Office, this area's name reflects its history with the previous owner, the Rockholds. This area also provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy the 15 acre lake and ongoing prairie restoration efforts.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the City of Kirksville are still in the early stages of a collaborative effort to provide amenities in an area that currently lacks accessible greenspace. This effort aims to offer a practical and engaging destination for those interested in outdoor recreation and learning about conservation in progress.
Quick Facts
Total Acres
228.0
Area Hours

Open daily from sunrise to sunset

Directions
From South Baltimore Street in Kirksville, take South Franklin Street 0.1 miles to Shepherd Avenue, then west 0.6 miles to 1st Trail for access.
For more information call
(660) 785-2420

Map Info

Resources

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 105 Title; Authority

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
105 Title; Authority
Rules

Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code applies to this area. The information provided reflects regulations for most activities on this conservation area but does not contain regulations for all possible uses. For more information on area regulations consult the Wildlife Code or call the phone number listed for the area in the area details section.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 110 General Provisions

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
110 General Provisions
Rules

 

On Thomas Hill Reservoir, swimming, sailboarding, scuba diving, and water skiing are permitted, except water skiing is prohibited north of Highway T on the Stinking Creek Arm of the lake and on the warm water arm of the lake upstream from the marker buoys.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 115 Closings

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
115 Closings
Rules

Area closed to all public use from 10:00pm to 4:00am daily.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 135 Wild Plants, Plant Products, and Mushrooms

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
135 Wild Plants, Plant Products, and Mushrooms
Rules
Nuts, berries, fruits, edible wild greens and mushrooms may be taken only for personal consumption, unless further restricted in this chapter. (A) On Cape Girardeau Conservation Campus Nature Center, Conservation Commission Headquarters, Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Runge Conservation Nature Center, Springfield Conservation Nature Center and Twin Pines Conservation Education Center, taking of nuts, berries, fruits, edible wild greens and mushrooms is prohibited. (B) On Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area and Rockwoods Reservation, taking of nuts, berries, fruits and edible wild greens is prohibited. (C) On areas designated by the Conservation Commission as Missouri Natural Areas, taking edible wild greens is prohibited.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 130 Vehicles, Bicycles, Horses, and Horseback Riding

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
130 Vehicles, Bicycles, Horses, and Horseback Riding
Rules
Vehicle use is restricted to graveled and paved roads and established parking areas, unless otherwise posted.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 140 Camping

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
140 Camping
Rules

Camping is prohibited on Rock Lake Conservation Area. 

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 150 Target Shooting and Shooting Ranges

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
150 Target Shooting and Shooting Ranges
Rules
Target shooting is not allowed anywhere on this department area.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 120 Pets and Hunting Dogs

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
120 Pets and Hunting Dogs
Rules

Pets must be on a leash at all times.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 180 Hunting, General Provisions and Seasons

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
180 Hunting, General Provisions and Seasons
Rules

Hunting is prohibited on Rock Lake Conservation Area.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 145 Tree Stands

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
145 Tree Stands
Rules
Only portable tree stands are allowed and only from September 1 through January 31 on areas where black bears, deer, or elk hunting is allowed, by special use permit, or except as otherwise authorized in 3 CSR 10-11.181, 3 CSR 10-11.182, and 3 CSR 10-11.191 of this chapter. Unattended stands must be plainly labeled on a durable material with the full name and address, or Conservation Number, of the owner and be removed from the area before February 1. Use of nails, screw-in steps, and any material or method that would damage the tree is prohibited.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 125 Field Trials

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
125 Field Trials
Rules
Field trials are prohibited on this department area.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 200 Fishing, General Provisions and Seasons

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
200 Fishing, General Provisions and Seasons
Rules

         Fish                                          Daily                                        Protected

         Species                                     Limits                                        Lengths

Largemouth Bass                                   6                                            12” to 15”

Channel Catfish                                      4                                          

Crappie                                                  30

All other fish combined                           20

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 160 Use of Boats and Motors

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
160 Use of Boats and Motors
Rules

Boats are prohibited on this department area.

202306 - 3CSR 10-11 - 187 Trapping

Chapter
3CSR 10-11
Rule Number
187 Trapping
Rules

Trapping is prohibited on this area.

202306 - 3CSR 10-4 - 118 Public Use of Certain Department Buildings

Chapter
3CSR 10-4
Rule Number
118 Public Use of Certain Department Buildings
Rules
Except as otherwise provided in this Code, by special area regulations or as stipulated by the director, business hours of department buildings may be established by the site administrator. Public use of department buildings for purposes other than the primary building function is prohibited, except that use by other government entities or not-for-profit organizations involved in fish, forestry and/or wildlife resources conservation may be authorized, at times and under conditions that do not interfere with the department building function.

  • Bird Watching

  • Fishing

    • Sunfish
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Black Bass
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