Prairie Lake

Prairie Lake. . , Prairies, Prairies once covered much of North America from the Rocky Mountains to Indiana, with scattered prairies extending to the eastern seaboard. Tallgrass prairies once dominated much of Missouri. These unique and valuable ecosystems are home to more than 300 different kinds of grasses and flowering plants as well as an abundance of birds, insects, and other wildlife., Some prairie plants have root systems that can travel as deep as 15 feet. These complex roots can absorb and retain water and nutrients much better than the shallow roots of cool season grasses, making the plants better adapted to survive droughts and fire. In fact, many prairie plants need fire to reproduce and stay healthy. In the past, Native Americans and early settlers have used fire to manage prairies, as do the current conservation managers today. , More than 99 percent of Missouri's original prairies have been destroyed. They have been converted to agriculture due to their rich soil, become forested due to the lack of fire needed to maintain the open landscape, or have been developed by man. The rarity of these vanishing prairies makes the effort to protect them all the more important. , New Lakes, The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area and the Weldon Spring Conservation Area offer 30 man-made fishing lakes that were constructed between the early 1950s through the early 2000s by building dams along small creeks and ravines. Howell Trail travels over the dam of Prairie Lake. Fire Lake is also seen along the Howell Trial. , The Missouri Department of Conservation constructed the lakes for year-round enjoyment and fishing opportunities for Missouri residents and visitors alike. They stock and manage these lakes to provide anglers with Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Rainbow Trout, and Muskelluge. , Recreation for anglers and hunters, The Department manages the August A. Busch Memorial and Weldon Spring Conservation Areas to provide quality habitat for all Missouri plant, fish, and wildlife species. Hunting is both a tradition and a useful tool in helping manage wildlife populations. Hunting for deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, dove, waterfowl, and other small game is allowed on these conservation areas. Please be advised that there is no hunting on the trail. All hunters must be licensed and obtain permits to hunt on these grounds.