Palmer, Howell and Parole Lakes

Located approximately 10 miles southwest of Potosi, MO near Palmer, MO, these three lakes were originally built as sources of water and as tailings disposal sites for nearby barite mines, long since played out. Several years ago, Missouri Department of Natural Resources approved the lakes for recreation use. All three lakes -- 100-acre Palmer, 30-acre Howell, and 40-acre Parole (pronounced "Payroll" by the miners who named it) -- are popular camping areas with folks who like "roughing it".

Fishing is generally good in all three lakes, due to ample stock of largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish.

There are no designated boat ramps, but people do launch boats by using 4-wheel-drive trucks. Link at left to more information on boating and canoeing Mark Twain National Forest.