Lakes and Rivers

Missouri Department of Conservation maintains the three lakes in our park system.  Since water quality levels are not monitored for aquatics, swimming is not permitted at any of the park lakes.  Fishing is allowed (see specifics below) under the guidelines of Missouri Department of Conservation.

Binder Lake: 5840 Rainbow Dr., is just minutes west of Jefferson City and offers 155 acres of excellent fishing and scenic surroundings.  
Both boat and bank fishing are permitted.  Large mouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, red-ear sunfish and crappie are the most plentiful species with fishing permitted year-round.  
Only poles and rods with attached lines are permissible.  Boats and outboard motors of all sizes are permitted on Binder Lake; however, those motors over 10 h.p. must be operated at no-wake speed.  All Missouri Department of Conservation rules and limits pertaining to fishing apply on Binder Lake.
Water activities such as canoeing and paddle boarding are allowed by Missouri Department of Conservation.

McKay Lake:  1700 Southridge Dr., was built in 1988-1989 as a joint park/stormwater control project of the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation.
Only bank fishing is permitted in McKay Lake.  Large mouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, red-ear sunfish and crappie are the most plentiful species.  Poles and rods with attached lines are permissible.

Hough Lake:  2400 Iven Rd., is located on the south side of Oaks Hills Golf Center.  Lake users are prohibited from crossing the golf course to access the lake.  
Hough Lake is available for fishing bass, sunfish, bluebill and crappie.  Boats are permitted but mush be hand launched and cannot be gasoline powered.  For those who do not want to fish by boat, two trails access the lake from the east and west banks.