Stockton Lake Management Lands: hunting and access
Stockton Lake Management Lands is 17,023 acres of MDC land in Dade, Polk and Cedar counties, next to Aldrich. MDC lists deer hunting here (muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 1,702 deer in Dade County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: MDC's conservation area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: MDC deer harvest summaries, 2021 to 2025.
MDC conservation areasFederal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakesState parks and historic sitesCounty, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landStockton Lake Management LandsCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 17,023 acres in 13 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Dade County, Polk County and Cedar County |
| Deer harvest unit | Dade County, Polk County, Cedar County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel, Dove and Quail |
| MDC area number | 7701 |
| MDC region | Southwest |
| Nearest towns | Aldrich (next to it), Arcola (next to it) and Dadeville (2 mi) |
What is Stockton Lake Management Lands like?
Stockton Lake, located on the Sac River, is nestled among the rolling, tree covered hills at the western edge of the Missouri Ozarks. This area was historically controlled by the Osage Indians. Construction of the 24,900 acre lake began in 1963, and was completed in 1969. Over 16,000 acres of the wildlife area surrounding Stockton Lake is leased to the Missouri Department of Conservation for management and public use. The MDC managed portion has a diverse mix of open grasslands, timbered areas, glades, and old fields. A variety of opportunities exist for all outdoor enthusiasts. Hunting opportunities are available for turkey, deer, doves, quail, rabbit, squirrel, and waterfowl as well as other species. Bank fishing opportunities are available at the end of many of the gravel roads. Mushroom hunters find Stockton Lake appealing as well. Bird watchers will find an abundance of Bald Eagles during the winter months. A waterfowl and shorebird viewing blind is located in the Aldrich Refuge. A multi-use trail is available for horseback/bicycling/hiking on the Big Sac Arm of the Lake.
In MDC's words, from the Stockton Lake Management Lands page.
What can you hunt on Stockton Lake Management Lands?
MDC's page for Stockton Lake Management Lands lists: Deer: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel; Dove; Quail.
What are the rules on Stockton Lake Management Lands?
Closings: Portions of this department area are closed to protect waterfowl from October 15 through the end of the last segment of the appropriate zone's duck season.
Every conservation area also follows MDC's standard rules in Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code; the area's full rules are on MDC's site.
How many deer are taken around Stockton Lake Management Lands?
Stockton Lake Management Lands lies in 3 counties. Hunters checked 1,702 deer in Dade County in 2025, against 1,593 in 2024.
| County | Stockton Lake Management Lands acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dade County | 12,185 | 1,702 | 1,593 | 1,787 |
| Polk County | 4,125 | 3,152 | 2,959 | 3,379 |
| Cedar County | 713 | 2,334 | 2,191 | 2,658 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Stockton Lake Management Lands?
MDC's directions: This 24,900-acre lake extends into Cedar, Dade, and Polk Counties and has many accesses. Please see map. For specific information, contact MDC's Southwest Regional Office, 2630 N. Mayfair, Springfield, MO 65803, (417) 895-6880.
Nearest towns: Aldrich (next to it), Arcola (next to it), Dadeville (2 miles) and Greenfield (3 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 215, US 160, MO 245, MO 123 and MO 39.
What other public land is near Stockton Lake Management Lands?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Corry Flatrocks Conservation Area: 143 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Fiddlers Ford Access: 53 acres, 1.6 miles away
- Wade and June Shelton Memorial Conservation Area: 322 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Niawathe Prairie Conservation Area: 316 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Dr. O. E. and Eloise Sloan Conservation Area: 314 acres, 5 miles away
- Sons Creek Conservation Area: 299 acres, 6.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Stockton Lake Management Lands
Counting Stockton Lake Management Lands itself, 40,252 of the 192,237 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (20.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| Federal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakes | 23,032 |
| MDC conservation areas | 17,219 |
| State parks and historic sites | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Stockton Lake Management Lands?
In Dade, Polk and Cedar counties, next to Aldrich.
Can you deer hunt on Stockton Lake Management Lands?
Yes, by MDC's page: muzzleloader and archery, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Stockton Lake Management Lands?
40,252 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Stockton Lake Management Lands included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Corry Flatrocks Conservation Area (0.6 miles).
Get a Missouri hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Missouri are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Missouri included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Stockton Lake Management Lands; MDC conservation area boundaries.
- Boundary and acres: MDC's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and MDC conservation area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Check MDC's rules and posted signs before you go.