Places to Go: Otter Slough CA

Otter Slough CA

For a swamp vacation

When planning a Florida vacation, most choose a beach or theme park over a swamp. But when planning a September hunting, fishing, birding, or paddling trip in Missouri, consider the swamp first.

Located on 4,859 acres in southeast Missouri, Otter Slough Conservation Area (CA) has fields, woods, and a popular fishing lake, but what really sets it apart is Otter Lake, one of Missouri’s few remaining swamps, said MDC Wildlife Biologist John Marshall.

“It is 250-ish acres of remnant cypress tupelo swamp that’s pretty unique,” Marshall said. “Folks will kayak it. Obviously, it’s a very popular duck hunting location. There’re not many opportunities to hunt in that kind of a system.”

Despite its unique nature, Otter Lake has competition for the most popular water body on the area. The 93-acre Cypress Lake draws anglers from throughout the region, but the lake closes to fishing on Oct. 15, he said.

“Then that lake becomes refuge for waterfowl season, so there’s usually a good number of folks fishing there towards the end before it closes up.”

During waterfowl season, several roads and areas are closed to traffic, so Marshall suggests visitors look for closure signs and check with area staff.