Thomas Hill Lake

   Thomas Hill Conservation Area is in Macon and Randolph counties, ten miles northwest of Moberly and ten miles southwest of Macon. Highway C provides access to the east side of the area and Highway 3 to the west side. Both highways run north/south between U.S. 36 and highway 24 The Thomas Hill Conservation Area property is owned by Associated Electric Cooperative of Springfield and managed by the Conservation Department under a multi-year lease. The area consists of a 4,950-acre Thomas Hill Lake, surrounded by 5,550 acres of land, approximately 60 percent open and 40 percent forested. The area has 5.8 miles of stream frontage on the Middle Fork of the Little Chariton, Stinking Creek and the north and south forks of Clay The north end of the lake features several freshwater marshes, created and maintained by beavers, that attract a variety of nesting and migrating birds. Management Of the area includes farming, timber harvest and controlled burns to improve wildlife habitat and increase species diversity. The public is restricted from a small portion of the area near the power plant. The warm water area near the power plant remains ice-free during the winter. Bald eagles are generally present on the lake in January and February and can usually be seen from Highway T. The area has four primitive campgrounds and three overflow camping areas. Four concrete boat ramps are located on the lake. Thomas Hill Lake is managed primarily for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Thomas Hill Lake also provides good flathead catfish and carp fishing. Fishing is permitted under statewide regulations, except in areas designated closed by posting. The following special regulations also apply: On Thomas Hill Lake, all largemouth bass less than 15 inches and all white bass-striped bass hybrids less than 20 inches in total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. In area ponds and strip pits, all largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches in total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. Total length is measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with the fish laid flat, the mouth closed and the tail lobes pressed together. On area ponds and strip pits only poles or rods with attached lines may be used, and not more than three poles or rods may be used by any one person.  See Wildlife Code for complete listing. Fish caught in area ponds and strip pits may not be possessed on Thomas Hill Lake and vice versa. Boating is permitted on Thomas Hill Lake, except houseboats are prohibited.  No horsepower restrictions apply.            (Special Thanks to Chuck De Wolfe for the Information Above!)