Bismarck Conservation Area
| Bismarck Conservation Area | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
| Location | Iron, St. Francois, and Washington counties, Missouri, United States |
| Nearest city | Bismarck, MO |
| Coordinates | 37°43′25″N 90°38′49″W / 37.723694°N 90.646931°W |
| Area | 1,188 acres (4.8 km2) |
| Established | 1981 |
| Governing body | Missouri Department of Conservation |
| Official website | |
Bismarck Conservation Area consists of 1,188 acres (4.81 km2) southwest of Bismarck, Missouri. The area surrounds 210 acres (85 ha) DiSalvo Lake. The lake was constructed in 1944 by Hanna Mining Company, and the Missouri Department of Conservation acquired the land from Hanna Mining Company in 1981.
Bismarck Conservation Area includes a parking areas, boat ramp, two designated trails, and fishing dock. The area is open to hunting and fishing.[1] It is the only conservation area in St. Francois County.[2]
Geography
The Bismarck Conservation Area contains a bottomland forest just northeast of Buford Mountain in the St. Francois Mountains.[3] The nearest city to the park is Farmington which is located 10 mi (16 km) northeast.[4]
Lake
DiSalvo Lake is the centerpiece of Bismarck conservation area; it impounds the headwaters of the St. Francois River. Its 210 acres was produced by a concrete dam built in the 1940s. The drainage ratio is 47:1. It is a very shallow lake with a maximum depth of 15 ft (4.6 m) and the upper third is only 4 ft (1.2 m) deep.[5]
Recreation
Bismarck Conservation Area offers many forms or recreational activities including: camping, cycling, equestrian, fishing, hiking, and hunting, but the predominant recreation in the park revolves around the Carl DiSalov Lake.[6]
Hunting and Trapping
Permitted hunting is allowed conditioned upon Missouri state Law. Deer hunting is the most prominent variety of game available at Bismarck Conservation Area; portable tree stands, blinds, and decoys are all permitted in the area.[3]
Fishing and Boating
Fishing at Bismarck Conservation Area is only allowed by pole and line. Smaller boats are permitted at no-wake speed. The main varieties of fish present include black bass, catfish, and crappie.[6]
References
- ^ "Bismarck Conservation Area". Missouri Department of Conservation. Archived from the original on June 5, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
- ^ "Google Earth File". Conservation Atlas Online. Missouri Department of Conservation. June 18, 2007. Archived from the original on August 12, 2010.
- ^ a b "Bismarck Conservation Area". Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "St. Francois County Map, 2024" (PDF). MoDOT. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Bismarck Conservation Area Fifteen-Year Area Management Plan FY 2019 - 2033. Missouri Department Conservation. December 7, 2018.
- ^ a b "Bismarck Conservation Area" (PDF). nature.mdc.mo.gov. Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri.