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Missouri Department of
CONSERVATION
 Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area
 Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
Missouri Conservation Home Page
Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area
About This Area
Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area is in the White River Hills of southwestern Taney County just northwest of Branson.
Much of this 1,534-acre area consists of steep hills covered with typical upland oak/hickory forest. The forest is interspersed with a series of scenic glades (open desert-like areas), which make up the White River Balds Natural area.
The area also includes a small section of bottomland forest along a 1/2-mile stretch of Roark Creek, a relatively undisturbed Ozark headwaters stream.
The glades or "balds," as local people refer to them, played an important role in the history and folklore of the region. Because post-Civil war vigilante groups often met on the balds, they became known as "baldknobbers."
Several features of the area were also immortalized in Harold Bell Wright's book, Shepherd of the Hills, including Dewey Bald, Boulder Bald, a portion of the "trail that is nobody knows how old," Sammy Lane's Lookout, The Signal Tree and Little Pete's Cave.
The Conservation Department broadcasts information about the history and folklore of the area on AM radio 1610, which can be picked up by travelers on Highway 76, between Branson and Silver Dollar City.
Things To Do
- Hiking. The 1 2/3-mile long Streamside Trail leads from the parking lot across Boulder Bald and into Dewey Cave, taking one hour to complete. A short, 1-mile loop of this trail is called the Glade Exploration Trail. A shorter, 3/4-mile version leads to an overlook deck in the Natural Area and back. It takes 20-30 minutes to walk.
A 1/2-mile long asphalt trail leads to a 40 foot viewing tower atop Dewey Bald, which provides an excellent view of scenic White River Hills.
- Nature study and birdwatching. A naturalist is on duty at the Henning Conservation Area to answer questions and lead interpretive walks.
- Outdoor photography.
- Informational signs. Full-color interpretive signs are displayed along the rock wall at the scenic overlook. They provide general area information and describe why glades are special Ozark habitats.
- Self-guided nature trails. Many self-guiding trails wind through the forest, providing a variety of scenic views of forest and glade environments.
Rules and Regulations
Area hours: Open daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Gates will be opened at 8 a.m. and closed at dark.
- Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area is a wildlife refuge. No hunting is permitted.
- No littering.
- No fireworks.
- No open fires.
- No free-running pets. Dogs must be leashed or confined.
- Destroying, cutting or removing vegetation is prohibited.
- The collecting of plants, animals or artifacts is not allowed.
- Motor vehicles are restricted to roadways and parking areas.
- No camping permitted.
- Bicycles are allowed only on roads open to vehicles. They are not permitted on hiking trails.
- No target shooting allowed.
- Area is closed to trapping.
Welcome
Missouri is a state rich in history, folklore and natural resources. The Conservation Department encourages you to visit, use and enjoy this area and other Department areas.
Land surrounding Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area belongs to private landowners. The boundaries adjoining private property are clearly marked. Please respect landowners' rights with these simple courtesies: obtain permission before going on private property, pick up all litter, be careful with fire, do not damage property, practice safe hunting.
Nearby Department Areas:
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
Boston Ferry Conservation Area
Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
For local information, contact:
Missouri Department of Conservation
Branson Forestry Office
P.O. Box 491 (Highway 65 N.)
Branson, MO 65616
1-417-334-3324
Your comments and suggestions regarding area
facilities and management are welcome.
(Regulations are from the Wildlife Code of Missouri and selected statutes of the State of Missouri. Special area regulations are from Provision 3CSR 10-4.115 of the Wildlife Code. Free copies of the Wildlife Code and Special Area Regulations are available from the Conservation Degartment.)
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from Programs of the Missouri Department of Conservation is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to the Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 18th and C Street NW, Washington D.C. 20240.
 Back to Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
About This Area
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is the largest trout-rearing facility operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation. lt is located 6 miles southwest of Branson, on Missouri Highway 165 just below Table Rock Dam.
The hatchery includes a visitor center, where the public can learn more about trout culture, aquatic life, fishing, and the Missouri Department of Conservation's role in aquatic resource management. The center is open throughout the year and is free of charge.
Trails are available near the hatchery for hiking and wildlife viewing. They also provide fishing access.
The Hatchery
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery produces between 350,000 and 400,000 pounds of trout each year. Both rainbow and brown trout are raised at the hatchery with 80% of production going into Lake Taneycomo. The remainder of the fish are stocked into other Missouri trout management areas.
Construction of the hatchery began in 1957 and production of trout in 1958 with the completion of Table Rock Dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This dam created a large, deep lake that varies in water temperature from surface to bottom. The water near the bottom stays cool, averaging 48 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. During hydroelectric generation, this cold water is released into Lake Taneycomo. Although the coldwater release caused the loss of the native warm-water fishery, it created the ideal environment for trout, a fish that thrives at lower water temperatures.
Hatchery Facts
- Both rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown (Salmo trutta) trout are raised in the hatchery.
- Approximately 1,200,000 fish are raised each year.
- Eggs are taken from female rainbow trout during spring and fall spawns. Brown trout eggs are taken during a winter spawn. Milt (sperm) is taken from male trout and mixed with eggs to fertilize them. This process is done in the spawning building, a facility specially designed for this purpose.
- Fertilized eggs are then moved to the hatchery building and placed in egg jars. Eggs are supplied with a continual flow of cold water. In two weeks, eyes will develop and in one month the eggs hatch and are called sac fry.
- Small trout continue to grow and are fed a commercially processed trout food. After 15 months of meticulous care, 10-inch trout are ready for stocking in Lake Taneycomo.
- Water to operate the hatchery flows from the lower level of Table Rock Lake through an 18-inch pipeline, delivering approximately 14 million gallons of water per day. Well water is used to supplement this lake water inside the hatchery building.
Area Features
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery lies in the historic and biologically rich White River Valley. Trails on the hatchery grounds lead visitors through a variety of natural settings, from the shoreline of Lake Taneycomo to the high rocky bluffs overlooking the famed White River.
A wide diversity of plant life can be found near the hatchery. Along the stream bank, bottomland species like sycamore, burr oak, paw paw and spicebush thrive, as do wildflowers such as bluebells, cardinal flowers and violets. The forested area adjacent to the visitor center is mainly oak and hickory trees, with scattered stands of short-leafed pine and red cedar. Springtime offers a colorful display of flowering trees such as wild plum, serviceberry, redbud and dogwood.
The rocky bluffs overlooking Lake Taneycomo support glade species like the rare Ashe juniper, found only in the Ozarks and one other area of the United States, and the smoke tree. Native prairie grasses and broad-leaved plants like coreopsis, black-eyed susan, ox-eye daisy, Missouri primrose and prickly pear cactus cover the glades.
The hatchery area is also home to a variety of wildlife including deer, turkey, squirrel, racoon, fox, mink, muskrat and beaver. On the glades, you might even catch a glimpse of the collared lizard or "Mountain Boomer".
To help protect these wildlife species, habitat improvement projects are ongoing at the hatchery. Wildlife food plots and shelter-producing trees and shrubs have been planted. Brush piles have been established for smaller animals and reptiles. An unused rearing lake is managed to attract waterfowl, and numerous nest boxes have been installed.
Missouri's state bird, the bluebird, is often seen around the hatchery, as are fish predators like the great blue heron, green heron and belted kingfisher. Winter bird visitors include gulls, osprey and eagles. Turkey vultures and beck vultures have a winter roost near the boat launch. Red-shouldered hawks, pileated woodpeckers and numerous songbirds call this area their home.
Things To Do
Exhibits describe trout spawning, egg devdopment and rearing techniques. Other nature-related exhibits are changed seasonally.
Aquariums allow visitors a chance to view trout "eye to eye" and get a close-up look at native Ozark fish.
Multi-media presentations, including the introductory film "White River Rainbows," can be seen in the 60-seat auditorium.
Guided tours of the hatchery facility originate at the visitor center lobby on weekdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tours are given on the hour starting at 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. A self-guided tour is available during the remainder of the year.
Picnicking is allowed and tables are located near Lake Taneycomo.
Trails are available for hiking, nature study, photography and wildlife viewing near the visitor center.
Fishing is permitted year-round in Lake Taneycomo. Fishing access areas and a public boat launch can be found on the area. The daily limit is five trout, only one of which may be a brown trout measuring at least 20 inches. The possession limit is 10 trout. Anglers are required to have a Missouri Fishing Permit, except Missouri residents 65 years of age and older and persons 15 years of age or younger. Trout anglers need an annual trout stamp. Please consult the Wildlife Code Book for further regulations.
Things NOT Allowed
- Fishing is not allowed in the hatchery.
- Hunting and overnight camping are not permitted.
- Please do not litter.
- Fires and fireworks are prohibited.
- Horses, bicycles or motorized vehicles are not allowed off the road.
- Please do not pick the wildflowers.
- Please do not destroy, cut or remove any vegetation, except wild greens, mushrooms, nuts and other fruit for personal use
(Regulations are from the Wildlife Code of Missouri and selected statutes of the State of Missouri. Special area regulations are from Provision 3CSR 10-4.115 of the Wildlife Code. Free copies of the Wildlife Code and Special Area Regulations are available from the Conservation Degartment.)
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from Programs of the Missouri Department of Conservation is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to the Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 18th and C Street NW, Washington D.C. 20240.
Your comments and suggestions regarding
area facilities and management are welcome.
Hatchery Visitor Center Schedule
The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Open hours are extended from Memorial Day until Labor Day and shortened during December, January and February. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Nearby Department Areas:
Busiek State Forest & Wildlife Area
Ruth & Paul Henning Conservation Area
Drury Mincy Conservation Area
Boston Ferry Conservation Area
For local information contact:
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
P.O. Box 427
Branson, MO 65616-0427
Phone 1-417-334-4865
For more information contact:
Fisheries Division
Missouri Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180
Phone 1-314-751-4115
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