The area is open to fishing and hunting , subject to special area regulations. The area is normally open to the public daily from April 1st through October 14th from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. No overnight camping is allowed. Since this is first and foremost a waterfowl management area, provisions for recreation are limited. However, visitors can enjoy fishing, picnicking, nature observation, wildlife photography and hiking. Other less common activities include horseback riding, archery and mushroom hunting.
Fishing is the primary summer sport.
Catfishermen particularly like the confluence of the Platte and Missouri rivers. In addition, some 14 rock levees extend into the deep channel of the Missouri and provide ideal haunts for both fish and fishermen. Each fall, thousands of migrating waterfowl use the Schilling Area during their flight between their nesting and wintering grounds. Waterfowl populations sometimes peak in excess of 200,000 birds. Lesser snow geese are the most abundant migrants to use the area, but Canada , whitefronted and Ross' geese, along with several species of ducks, may also be observed.