Jay Carlson Wildlife Area

Discover Jay Carlson Wildlife Area in Boone

This 156 acre wildlife area is open to public hunting and fishing. There is a boat ramp with access to the Des Moines River.  There is a reconstructed sand prairie, woodlands and 22 acre lake with bluegill, catfish, crappie, bass and rough fish.  The pit is close enough to the Des Moines River, that when the river floods water flows into the ponds. Many of the fish population are then caught in the ponds when the river recedes. Some natural reproduction takes place among the fish.  Annually, waterfowl stop on the ponds during the Spring and Fall migration.  Some nesting of waterfowl takes place. Other wildlife you can find here are deer, upland birds, rabbits and waterfowl.

This USACE owned property is managed by Boone County Conservation. Previously, this land was the Hallett Pit, a sand and gravel quarry before its acquisition in 2002.