Good Bass Fishing in Missouri?

[AJ Hauser]

Hey fellas! We're thinking about heading south with my folks, and we're currently looking at Missouri. Specifically, the areas surrounding Washington, Warrenton and Troy. Before we go, I have to make sure I'm not making a huge mistake and moving away from good bass fishing. 

 

How are the waters in MO?

 

Any of you live around these areas and know of some good smaller lakes and ponds that are not on the map? 

 

I've come across larger bodies of water like Mark Twain, but I've only seen a lot of muddy water crappie and catfishing videos and that's fun too... but... man I'd love to get into some good bass. Any insight - especially local - would be really appreciated. 

 

For reference, I'm in Northern Illinois currently. Largest bass this year was 4 pounds. 

 

Thanks!

 

[Bluebasser86]

Wrong part of the state for good bass fishing. Southwest and northwest are both really good areas.

[Jig Man]

5 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Wrong part of the state for good bass fishing. Southwest and northwest are both really good areas.

X2

[scaleface]

There are  small conservation lakes all over that offer good bass fishing . The further you get away from st louis the better . Mark Twain is often high and muddy and the bass fishing is usually slow early but it picks up around May and June . Last week a five fish limit of over 19 lbs won a tourney with the largest bass just shy of 7 .Most  people fish for crappie and there are some monster three lb crappie in it. I  use to fish Twain extensively and its good bass fishing for someone willing to put in the time . Now if you get discouraged easily , stay away from Twain and fish some of the numerous small lakes . I live in Hannibal and can name a whole bunch of good public lakes within 50 miles from here .

[AJ Hauser]

@Bluebasser86 and @Jig Man thank you guys for chiming in! What are a few bodies of water or towns in those Southwest and Northwest regions that I should start searching around? Sorry to ask - I'm using Google Maps which shows some things, but I'm flying blind and I can't tell you how much I appreciate even just a bit of direction!

 

@scaleface I marked a lot of the conservation "access areas" but they all look to be on a smaller river or large creek, which could be cool and a nice change of pace once in a while, but what are some of the lakes within that radius from Hannibal that you would hit for bass? This is up in the Northeastern region, yes? 

 

This will really help me "persuade" (aka bribe) my wife to look into the right hospitals to try to get a job with... so I'm not regretting the move!

 

 

[scaleface]

Within 50 miles of me there is Bowling Green , Monroe City ,LaBelle , Ewing , Vandalia and other communities that have lakes to fish . Theres also Deer Ridge , Hunnewell , Henry Sever and  Ted Shanks . Mississippi river , Salt river Fabius river. I know I'm missing some . Branch out further and there is Thomas Hill , Thousand Hill , Hazel Creek , Long Branch . The fishing is here . Look at  this map and search the ones I listed ..https://mdcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=aa720aaaf06b49269b355b5a6e049d28

 

Wakonda is another I forgot about

[scaleface]

Another Sugar Creek at Moberly . 

 

[Jig Man]

I fish Table Rock, Stockton, Pomme de Terre, and sometimes Truman.  The main city in the area is Springfield.

[plawren53202]

Whatever you do don't move to St. Louis. Among other reasons not to move here, this area is a wasteland for good bass fishing. ?

[Bluebasser86]

NW you've got lakes like Mozingo, Bilby Ranch, Happy Holler, Pony Express, Cameron Reservoirs, Paho, Bethany, Smithville, Poosey, lots of little lakes scattered around with good fishing.

[AJ Hauser]

Dang @scaleface what is that handy dandy little tool! Thanks! 

 

@Bluebasser86 and @Jig Man and @plawren53202 thank you guys for the feedback as well! I shared the info with my dad and he has been looking at lakes and properties. We were talking about getting some acreage and sub-dividing to build. 

 

We were also looking at St. James this morning - any of you guys fish around there or have any thoughts on the area? 

 

Thanks again, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help as we try to get a feel for the state!

[Dirtyeggroll]

On 6/24/2020 at 11:34 AM, AJH said:

We were talking about getting some acreage and sub-dividing to build.

Not sure what sort of acreage is in your budget, but MO farm ponds can produce some massive bass. If you're collecting some acreage, might be worthwhile to assess the capability to build a small reservoir or come across one with a small reservoir that already exists.

 

I would say NW MO is certainly the most dense with popular fishing access.

[AJ Hauser]

Thanks @Dirtyeggroll - I really appreciate the input - it sounds like Northwest MO is the honey hole and I need to be within driving distance of there... this is great it helps narrow my search a bit. Thanks again guys, really really appreciate the help!!

 

Have a great week!

[rangerjockey]

Really depends on how far your willing to drive to go fishin. St. James is about 3 hours from Table Rock/ Bull Shoals.

 It's a easy drive down 44 to 65 south.

I'm on Table Rock and love it but I really believe Bull Shoals is going to get better and better and if your looking for ground both lakes have some. The biggest difference is that Table Rock has more shopping, medical facilities and development in general.

[AJ Hauser]

Hey thanks @rangerjockey !! Much appreciated. This is good info. We haven't decided if we're going to go North or South in the state, but I guess if I had to summarize I'd say I'm looking for a place that has decent water nearby easy morning fishing (even if it's just from shore) without a 45+ minute drive. I'm all for driving a few hours on the weekends to check out bigger lakes though... I guess I'm just trying to not shoot myself in the foot and make it harder to fish than it is now. So input like yours is very helpful - thank you guys again. 

 

If anyone else has any ideas I'm all ears! 

[rangerjockey]

Another thing to mention is I think the winters are a bit easier in the southern part of the state.

I have a home in St.louis and the weather is usually better at the lake . Not that we don't get snow but north Missouiri get's hammered a few times a year.

[AJ Hauser]

Well believe me @rangerjockey we get a fair amount of snow in 'ol Illinois here so we're used to that! HA! I've had my fill though so thank you for the additional tip...

[scaleface]

Kirksville has a hospital and two nearby lakes Hazel creek and Thousand Hills . Macon has a hospital and two nearby lakes Thomas Hill and Long Branch .. 

[AJ Hauser]

Perfect - thank you @scaleface this gives me more to review and look at - much appreciated!!

[AJ Hauser]

@Bluebasser86 and @Jig Man and @plawren53202 and @scaleface and @rangerjockey thank you guys again for all of the feedback! This has been really helpful as we've looked at different areas to relocate to. I have another question for you... we were seriously looking at some property about 20 minutes from Bull Shoals in Arkansas. 

 

Do any of you guys have any experience fishing that body of water, and how would you rate that for bass fishing compared to different locations in Missouri? (Ranger I know you mentioned this body of water.)

Thanks very much for any insight! 

[roadwarrior]

By far my favorite in Missouri/ Arkansas.

 

[AJ Hauser]

4 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

By far my favorite in Missouri/ Arkansas.

Ha! Good shore fishing options as well as boat? I assume yes but I'm just guessing - it looks like a huge body of water like we could never fish all of it...

[rangerjockey]

Bull Shoals is a nice lake. It's been high for 2 years it seems and was 35 ft up this spring but it still fishes great.

Table Rock dumps into Bull Shoals via lake Taneycomo and they catch the water that Table Rock releases.

If you can tell me what town or area of the lake you looking at I may be able to help.

[scaleface]

I visited Bull Shoals one time for several days , under flood conditions and had really good success on Smallmouths . It was the most productive trip I ever had at any of the large southern Missouri reservoirs .

[AJ Hauser]

54 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

Bull Shoals is a nice lake. It's been high for 2 years it seems and was 35 ft up this spring but it still fishes great.

Table Rock dumps into Bull Shoals via lake Taneycomo and they catch the water that Table Rock releases.

If you can tell me what town or area of the lake you looking at I may be able to help.

Thank you - we don't have an area picked out yet - just looking at properties further south now. Actually we're planning to come down in a few weeks so if you guys have any areas that you suggest we visit to check out - I'm all ears! 

Thank you for the feedback as well @scaleface - it really sounds like this is more productive water (I'm speaking in vast generalities of course) than what I would find further north, especially if we moved by Mark Twain reservoir, etc.