Where/When/How In March/April - NE OK, KS, or MO

[weekend warrior]

Hi fellas. I'm new to the forum today. I live in MN and my best buddy who hooked me on Bassin is turning 40 in March. We're wanting to head South in March or April for a a few days to wet a line and see if we can't catch a piggy. The biggest that we've caught up here is 22" and that's with as much time as two dads can get on the water when we're not coaching our kids. We have no idea though what to expect in weather, which body of water we may want to fish, what presentations may be most effective, and where to stay for a reasonable rate. We're thinking of driving down through a night after work, fishing three days, staying two nights, and then driving back through the night. Any help or suggestions that you can provide would be most appreciated! Happy New Year!!! "brent_muilenburg@uhc.com"

[Long Mike]

WW, a 22" bass is a biggun almost anywhere, and especially at your Latitude.  If you want to go to a place where you have a high probability of catching Big bass then you will have to travel further south.  My recommendation would be Lake Fork in NE Texas.  On the other hand, if you would be content with catching maybe a six pound bass without having to travel so far, then I would recommend a place in NE Missouri called Trophy Country. www.trophycountry.com.  Although it's a six hour drive for me from Tulsa, I fish there three or four times a year.  PM me if you would like further info.

[ring fry]

I would definately drive the extra 6 hours to Fork or many other east Texas lakes.  If not, in NE Ok. Grand Lake of the Cherokees is your best bet.  On the way down here is La Cygne power plant lake just south of Kansas City which can be real good.  In SE Kansas there is Bone Creek, good for #'s and some big fish, Big Hill, can be stingy but some good fish, and a bunch of strip pits in the SE corner of the state that have good #'s and some big fish.

All of the Ozark lakes in Mo. are good.  Too many choices!!

By the way, 

[ValkyrieRider]

definitely drive further south if you've only got a little while to fish. I fish missouri ALOT and there are big fish here, but you really got to put in the time to get to em!

[SDoolittle]

If not, in NE Ok. Grand Lake of the Cherokees is your best bet.

I'd choose Hudson over Grand for trophy sized fish.

[Jon86]

I agree with a couple of the replies. From Minneapolis, it is 640 miles to Grand Lake of the Cherokees or about a 9 hour drive. If you go to Lake Fork, it is another 300 miles past Grand Lake or a 14 hour drive. I guarantee you that Grand Lake will be less crowded. Grand Lake has some great fishing in March and April, but the chance of catching a true hog is at Lake Fork. You may have trouble finding a place to stay at Lake Fork because alot of rooms are already booked up. If you go to Grand, check out accommodations at not only Grove, OK but check out Miami, OK also.

[Bank Beater]

I havent been to many of the lakes father south but Stockton lake is one of my favorites. It is in the middle of nowhere so don't plan on any restraunts bieng open after 0900 and only a few gas stations.  If you want more non fishing stuff to do branson area and table rock can't be beat.  That time of year the lake should be just starting to warm up some and the fishing could be on!!

[Matt Fly]

In 2008, I ventured away from Texas to fish a tournament in that region.  First timer up in Ark/MO.

    I knew the water temp was in the upper 40's, water in that part of the country in most lakes was gonna be clear.   

   I monitored rain and temps.    Any rain meant runoff in backs of the creeks, runoff meant warmer water, warmer water means shad  or bait will find it, and bass will follow.

  Runoff means stain.  Normally, gin waters dicatates 4-6lb test, stain means I can step up line size and baits.

   Just having that game plan before leaving Texas made my searches fast.

    We found runoff, we found stained water, we found bait, and we found a top ten finish in a two day event.

    March and April mean fronts and storms.

   Water temp is one of the most critical factors in finding active fish.