.sf-mo{–ink:#221A2B;–deep:#173F45;–teal:#8A2462;–mist:#F4F1F3;–foam:#FBF9FA;–lure:#8FC9FF;–lure-ink:#10335C;–line:#E3DDE2;–muted:#544A57}.sf-mo .sf-hero{background-color:#11545C;background-image:radial-gradient(820px 480px at 96% 100%,rgba(90,168,240,.34),rgba(90,168,240,0) 62%),radial-gradient(740px 440px at 4% 0%,rgba(242,230,208,.22),rgba(242,230,208,0) 60%),linear-gradient(200deg,#196A67,#11545C 48%,#0A2A33);clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 30px),93.75% calc(100% – 14px),87.5% calc(100% – 8px),81.25% calc(100% – 14px),75% calc(100% – 30px),68.75% calc(100% – 46px),62.5% calc(100% – 52px),56.25% calc(100% – 46px),50% calc(100% – 30px),43.75% calc(100% – 14px),37.5% calc(100% – 8px),31.25% calc(100% – 14px),25% calc(100% – 30px),18.75% calc(100% – 46px),12.5% calc(100% – 52px),6.25% calc(100% – 46px),0% calc(100% – 30px));padding-bottom:96px}.sf-mo .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(34,26,43,.84) 0%,rgba(34,26,43,.52) 52%,rgba(34,26,43,.16) 100%)}.sf-mo .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:999px 0 999px 0;background:#221A2B;color:#DCEEFF;border-bottom:3px solid #8FC9FF;padding:5px 15px 4px 13px;letter-spacing:.07em}.sf-mo .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#EAF3F2}.sf-mo .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(34,26,43,.90) 0%,rgba(34,26,43,.66) 46%,rgba(17,84,92,.32) 80%,rgba(17,84,92,.20) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(14,10,18,.72),rgba(14,10,18,0) 50%)}.sf-mo .sf-bar{background-color:#221A2B;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 96% 0,rgba(90,168,240,.26),rgba(90,168,240,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#221A2B 40%,#11545C)}.sf-mo .sf-bar p{color:#E6EEF0}.sf-mo .sf-band–white,.sf-mo .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 94% 6%,rgba(17,84,92,.15),rgba(17,84,92,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 96%,rgba(143,201,255,.34),rgba(143,201,255,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(214,150,186,.12),rgba(214,150,186,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#FBF9FA,#EFEAEE)}.sf-mo .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 6% 6%,rgba(17,84,92,.15),rgba(17,84,92,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 96%,rgba(143,201,255,.34),rgba(143,201,255,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#FBF9FA,#EFEAEE)}.sf-mo .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F4F1F3;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 10% 8%,rgba(214,150,186,.26),rgba(214,150,186,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(17,84,92,.16),rgba(17,84,92,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#F9F7F8,#F4F1F3,#E8E2E7)}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink{color:#EAF3F2}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep{background-color:#173F45;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(242,230,208,.10),rgba(242,230,208,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 6% 94%,rgba(90,168,240,.18),rgba(90,168,240,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#1D4D53,#173F45,#0F2C31)}.sf-mo .sf-band–ink{background-color:#221A2B;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 8% 6%,rgba(17,84,92,.58),rgba(17,84,92,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(138,36,98,.22),rgba(138,36,98,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#2B2236,#221A2B,#150F1B)}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#CFE0E2}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-mo .sf-cta p{color:#E2EDEE}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#DDE9EA}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#E2EDEE}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#7A1F57}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#4C4350}.sf-mo .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#11545C,#5FA6A3)}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#5AA8F0,#8FC9FF)}.sf-mo .sf-pill{background:#E9E3EA;color:#2A2133}.sf-mo .sf-btn:hover{background:#BEE0FF;border-color:#BEE0FF}.sf-mo .sf-card-img,.sf-mo .sf-tile{background-color:#11545C}.sf-mo .sf-q p{color:#352C3A}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#A9D6FF}.sf-mo .sf-kicker{color:#8A2462}.sf-mo .sf-pf-card h3{color:#0C1F2C!important}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.48);background:rgba(14,10,18,.38)}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#A9D6FF}.sf-mo .sf-tablewrap{color:#221A2B;border-color:#E3DDE2}.sf-mo .sf-table td{color:#221A2B}.sf-mo .sf-table th{background:#11545C;color:#fff}.sf-mo .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F5F2F5}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#7A1F57}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#E6F0F0}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-q h3,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-q h3{color:#FFFFFF}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-pill a{color:#7A1F57}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#BEE0FF}.sf-mo .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-mo .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-mo .sf-note{color:#221A2B}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-note a{color:#7A1F57}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-mo .sf-hero{clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 18px),93.75% calc(100% – 9px),87.5% calc(100% – 5px),81.25% calc(100% – 9px),75% calc(100% – 18px),68.75% calc(100% – 27px),62.5% calc(100% – 31px),56.25% calc(100% – 27px),50% calc(100% – 18px),43.75% calc(100% – 9px),37.5% calc(100% – 5px),31.25% calc(100% – 9px),25% calc(100% – 18px),18.75% calc(100% – 27px),12.5% calc(100% – 31px),6.25% calc(100% – 27px),0% calc(100% – 18px));padding-bottom:64px}}
For the largemouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 $159.99
Meramec River 27 mi
Photo: Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0 
Meramec Spring Park 19 mi
Photo: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 
Huzzah Creek 22 mi
Photo: John Foehner, CC BY 2.0 
Pigeon Creek 26 mi
Photo: mostateparks, Public domain
Missouri lakes and reservoirs
Pick for largemouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 $129.99
Blackwell Lake Fishing
A 26-acre Missouri lake in Dent County.
Pick for largemouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Meramec River: JDMcGreg, CC BY-SA 3.0
Dent County
Where Blackwell Lake sits and how big it is
The MDC outline gives Blackwell Lake a surface of 26 acres, spread over Dent County. The shortest run to a town is Viburnum, near 11 miles. Biologists of the MDC Ozark Region look after it. MDC lists it as part of Indian Trail Conservation Area.
You can launch at 1 mapped ramp. Shore anglers can use 1 dock or jetty.
26acres
1mapped ramps
1docks and jetties
1counties
MDC Managed Public Waterbody outlines (GIS acres, region, managing area) on gisblue.mdc.mo.gov, Census 2023 places, retrieved October 27, 2026. MDC office phone: 417-256-7161.
Access
Ramps and docks on Blackwell Lake
- Indian Trail Conservation Area on Blackwell Lakeboat ramp; Missouri Department of Conservation
Fishing docks MDC maps at Blackwell Lake
- Indian Trail Conservation Areafishing dock
Boat ramps within reach of Blackwell Lake
- Shawnee Mac Lakes Conservation Area on Macs LakeMacs Lake, 11 miles southwest
- Shawnee Mac Lakes Conservation AreaShawnee Lake, 11 miles southwest
MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Limits
Bag and length rules at Blackwell Lake
| Species | Daily limit and length | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky) | 6 a day | All year |
| Channel catfish | 10 a day | All year |
| Blue catfish | 5 a day | All year |
| Flathead catfish | 5 a day | All year |
| Crappie (black and white) | 30 a day | All year |
| Goggle-eye (Ozark, rock, and shadow bass) and warmouth | 15 a day; 7" minimum | All year |
| Muskellunge | 1 (daily limit is 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike); 36" minimum | All year |
| Northern pike | 1 (daily limit is 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike) | All year |
| Paddlefish (spoonbill) | 2 a day; 32" minimum (eye to fork of tail) | March 15–April 30 |
| Pickerel (chain and grass) | 6 a day | All year |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | 10 a day; 30" maximum (snout to fork of tail) | All year |
| Trout (rainbow and brown) | 4 a day; Rainbow: none; Brown: 15" minimum in streams | All year |
| Walleye and sauger | 4 a day; 15" minimum | All year |
| White, yellow, and striped bass and their hybrids | 15 a day; No more than 4 longer than 18" | All year |
At Blackwell Lake the statewide limits apply, with any listed exception taking priority.
Limits and seasons as printed in A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026 (MDC, effective March 1, 2026), page 20 (booklet PDF); retrieved October 27, 2026.
For the largemouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Compare
MDC lakes near Blackwell Lake, put side by side
For more room to roam, Towell Lake offers 97 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Attractors | Species named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwell Lake | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Macs Lake | 11 miles southwest | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Shawnee Lake | 11 miles southwest | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Scioto Lake | 24 miles northwest | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Towell Lake | 27 miles northwest | 97 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Schuman Park Lake | 29 miles northwest | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Nearby
What else lies close to Blackwell Lake
Lakes to try after Blackwell Lake
- Macs Lake11 miles southwest
- Shawnee Lake11 miles southwest
- Scioto Lake24 miles northwest
- Towell Lake27 miles northwest
- Schuman Park Lake29 miles northwest
Where to sleep before fishing Blackwell Lake
- Salem12 miles
- Steelville17 miles
- Cuba24 miles
Counties sharing Blackwell Lake
- Dent Countyseat: Salem
Piscifun
Line and reels from Piscifun ahead of Blackwell Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photos
Photographs of fishing water by Blackwell Lake
Photo: Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0
Photo: John Foehner, CC BY 2.0
Photo: mostateparks, Public domain
Answers
Before a trip to Blackwell Lake, the common questions
Where in the Show-Me State is Blackwell Lake?
The outline sits in Dent County, the MDC Ozark Region, about 11 miles from Viburnum.
How many acres is Blackwell Lake by MDC mapping?
The outline measures 26 acres.
Where is the nearest ramp to Blackwell Lake?
Yes, 1 mapped ramp, such as Indian Trail Conservation Area on Blackwell Lake.
Which gamefish are named for Blackwell Lake?
MDC publishes no species list for it in this data.
Is there a length limit at Blackwell Lake?
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky): 6 a day; All year.
Can a visitor from another state fish Missouri's Blackwell Lake?
Missouri anglers 16 through 64 carry a fishing permit: $14 a year for residents, $57 for nonresidents, or $9 for a daily permit.
Is there a horsepower limit on Blackwell Lake?
No motor limit is on file; signs on site decide.
Where does a Missouri angler buy bait near Blackwell Lake?
Every listed shop is over 25 miles off.
Give a Missouri weekend to Blackwell Lake
Buy the Missouri permit online before the trip.