The lake goes around the Desoto National Wildlife Refuge. It is closed from October 15th through April 14th to not disturb the birds. The refuge is home for hundreds of thousands of aquatic birds during spring and fall. The speed limit for motor vessels here is 5mph. You may do this trip as it is mapped here with 2 portages and going into the Missouri River for part of it or you can use the shuttle from the boat ramp at the other end of the lake to come back to where you started.