The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Paris Lions Club have scheduled the Annual Turkey Hunt for disabled persons that will be held at Mark Twain Lake.  The hunt will be held during the 2019 Missouri Spring Turkey season on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, 2019 in the Indian Creek Recreation Area.  The hunt will be restricted to 20 permanently disabled (non-ambulatory, semi-ambulatory) individuals having a valid 2019 Missouri spring season turkey tag and a hunter safety certification card. Qualifying participants must have a physical impairment due to injury or disease, which confines them permanently to the use of wheelchairs, braces, walkers, crutches or canes.
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All hunters must comply with the 2019 Missouri Department of Conservation hunting regulations.  To insure a safe hunting experience, certain procedures will be in effect throughout the two-day hunt.  All hunters will be required to have hunter education.  Hunter must stay in blind at all time while in the field. 
Contact the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at 573-735-4097 to get an application.  Applications must be received before April 1, 2019, to qualify for the hunt.  A drawing to select participants will be held on April 8, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Mark Twain Lake Project Office.               
 

Mark Twain Lake, March 18, 2019, Monroe City, Missouri -The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake announce that infrastructure improvements will occur in the Frank Russell and Ray Behrens Recreation Areas.  These improvements are necessary to enhance campground utility and services in both areas.  The entire Frank Russell campground will be closed for reservations and camping until late June 2019 for 50 amp electrical upgrades in Flint Ridge and water main replacement for the area.  Ray Behrens campground will have a partial camp loop closure in Little Bluestem for water and sewer full service upgrades for sites #53 thru #58 and #61- #65 anticipated to last until late June of 2019.
 
We apologize for any inconveniencies this may cause.  During this time we ask all of our recreation area visitors to follow posted signs in the area.  We greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation during the improvement process to enhance visitor services and system reliability.
 
For further information please contact the Mark Twain Lake Project Office by phone at 573.735.4097 or by email at marktwaininfo@usace.army.mi

Mark Twain Lake, March 15, 2019, Monroe City, Missouri -   With warmer weather finally on the way and Spring right around the corner, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake invites you to make plans to travel and enjoy the many recreational opportunities found at Mark Twain Lake. 
Make plans to visit the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center to get your area travel information.  The Visitor Center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning March 24, 2019. It is located at the south end of Clarence Cannon Dam along Highway J. less than 15 minutes from Monroe City and Perry, 25 minutes from Hannibal, 45 minutes from Quincy.  It's a great place to look at exhibits, pick up travel information, walk a nature trail or visit the Northeast Missouri Vietnam Memorial.
 
If you enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, and camping, come explore Mark Twain Lake.  Our campgrounds will be opening on March 29, 2019 for the upcoming recreation season. Consider taking your family camping at one of over 400 campsites.  If you have a larger group you can reserve the entire John C. "Jack" Briscoe Group Camp for $100 per night.  You get 20 campsites with electric hook-ups, a shower/restroom, a playground, and a large covered picnic shelter. This is a great spot for a family reunion, scout trip or a group of friends.  The Briscoe area opens May 3, 2019 and reservations can be made by calling the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center at 573.565.2112. 

If you are into shooting sports, you can visit the David C. Berti Shooting Range located in the Warren G. See South Spillway.  The range is open daily except during special events or group reservations.  Cost is $2.00 per shooter per day. Also check out the Frank Russell Archery Park which has an accessible seven station archery range with target distances ranging from 10 yards to 50 yards, an accessible four station youth archery range, and an archery trail.
 
 Annual boat launch passes can be picked up at the Visitor Center as well.  They are $40.00 each and work for Corps facilities across the nation.  Daily fees are $5.00 per day and are paid at the launch location.

If you have questions or we can help plan your trip to Mark Twain Lake give us a call at the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center at 573-565-2112 or email us at marktwaininfo@usace.army.mil. We are also on Facebook under Mark Twain Lake - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.   

​Mark Twain Lake, March 11, 2019 - Many Christmas trees have been collected during the annual Christmas tree recycling program.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now seeking volunteers to place the trees at several established sites in Mark Twain Lake.  The John F. Spalding Ramp will be the designated starting point.
Residents of the Mark Twain Lake community willing to contribute their time and equipment to assist in placing the trees can meet at the John F. Spalding boat ramp on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.  The trees will be bundled together and sunk in Mark Twain Lake, developing an underwater habitat.  These structures provide excellent places for fish to forage and offer protection from predators.  Of course, the biggest advantage is they make excellent places to catch fish, and all those volunteering will have first-hand knowledge of these "honey holes". 
Anyone wishing to volunteer or wanting more information should contact Brad Stamp at the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at (573) 735-4097.