Lake of the Ozarks / Osage Region
Montrose Conservation Area is a Henry County wildlife draw
Montrose Conservation Area gives Henry County a state-managed wetland and lake for fishing, hunting, and birdwatching, with access and seasons set by the Missouri Department of Conservation rather than the county
Montrose Conservation Area sits in the southern part of Henry County, near the town of Montrose. It is run by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the state agency that cares for fish, forests, and wildlife. The area is built around a lake and wetlands. Places like this are kept open for hunting, fishing, and watching wildlife. Montrose can be a great spot for waterfowl, which are water birds like ducks and geese, and for other birds passing through. Here is the key point: the MDC, not the county, decides who can go in, what you can do, and when seasons open and close. So before you visit, check MDC’s page for this area. Look up the current rules, any permits you need, and any seasonal closures. For Henry County folks, it is a handy patch of public land. It is separate from the bigger Truman Lake to the east.
Where to see it
- Montrose Conservation Area
Use MDC for access, maps, waterfowl procedures, and current area regulations.
References
More from Henry County: browse every local note for the county.
Last checked against the sources above: June 15, 2026.