Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1 (MO): Motor and Boating Rules

Bollinger County · near Puxico · managed by Missouri Department of Conservation

Slow-No-Wake Entire Lake Last verified:
  • Gas outboard YES
  • Electric trolling YES
  • PWC / jet ski NO
  • Bollinger County, MO
  • 1,800 acres
  • Missouri Department of Conservation

Quick answer

Motors are allowed on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1, but the whole lake is slow-no-wake. That means idle speed with no plowing wake, anywhere on the water. Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1 in MO is open to motorboats at slow-no-wake speed only, across the entire lake under Missouri Department of Conservation regulations (verified July 26, 2026). Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Missouri Department of Conservation before you launch.

Rules at a glance

Restriction classSlow-No-Wake Entire Lake
Horsepower limitn/a
Surface area1,800 acres
Electric trolling motorsYES
Gas outboardsYES
PWC / jet skisNO
Wake ruleOutboard motors over 10 hp must be operated at slow, no-wake speed
Hours ruleNone listed for Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1
ZonesAll of Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1, no zones listed
Managing bodyState department of natural resources: Missouri Department of Conservation
Official sourceMissouri Department of Conservation — mdc.mo.gov
Last verified

What this means in practice

Slow-no-wake is a speed behavior, not an equipment rule: any motor is fine, but you must run at the slowest speed that maintains steering — roughly idle — leaving no plowing wake. On Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1 that applies to the entire surface, not just a shoreline buffer. Our guide to no-wake rules covers how officers judge it.

Watch your trim and your stern: the violation officers cite is the wake, not the number on your GPS. A heavy hull plowing at 4 mph throws exactly the wave the rule bans. Level boat, bow down, ripple behind you — that is the picture to keep on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1.

Worth knowing about Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1: Pool 1 is a 1,800-acre manmade reservoir at the heart of the 6,318-acre Duck Creek Conservation Area, which lies in Stoddard, Bollinger, and Wayne counties. Under 3 CSR 10-11.160, outboards of any size may be used but motors over 10 horsepower must be operated at slow, no-wake speed; houseboats, airboats, and personal watercraft are prohibited. Portions of the area are closed October 15 through the end of duck season to protect waterfowl..

Planning options around Missouri? The neighboring pages in our database cover Bushwhacker Lake (No wake, Vernon County) and Fellows Lake (HP limit, Greene County), and the state hub lists all verified Missouri lake motor rules with the official source behind each.

Common mistakes on No wake water

Planning a ski day. The whole surface of Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1 is idle-speed water — towing sports need a different lake, full stop.

Trimming up to go faster "quietly." Trim changes the wake, not the rule. Level hull, minimal ripple is the standard officers apply on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1.

Before you launch — verify

  • Read the current regulation yourself: Missouri Department of Conservation
  • A two-minute call to the Missouri Department of Conservation office for Bollinger County settles anything this page leaves open.
  • This summary was last checked against the source on .

Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Missouri Department of Conservation before you launch.

Frequently asked questions

Are gas motors allowed on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1?

Gas motors are legal on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1. The catch is speed: the whole lake is slow-no-wake, so you will be running at idle. Verified July 26, 2026.

Can I use an electric trolling motor on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1?

Yes. Electric trolling motors are allowed on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1. A transom-mount motor in the 30–55 lb thrust range with a deep-cycle battery is the typical setup for this class of water.

Are jet skis (PWC) allowed on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1?

No. Jet skis and other personal watercraft are effectively prohibited on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1 under the lake's motor restriction.

Who enforces boating rules on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1?

Missouri Department of Conservation (state department of natural resources) sets and enforces the motor rules on Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1, with possible additional ordinances from Bollinger County or local municipalities. State boating officers and local law enforcement both patrol restricted waters.

Where do I verify the current rules for Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1?

The Sources section links the exact regulation we summarized, and Missouri Department of Conservation publishes the live version. This page was last checked against it on July 26, 2026.

Sources

  • This page summarizes a agency web page: Missouri Department of Conservation — mdc.mo.gov
  • Rule-making authority: Missouri Department of Conservation
  • Source re-checked on: