Missouri · Fishing

Fishing in Missouri

267 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access

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Fishing · 200 spots

Featured spots

River fishing

Akers

Hartshorn, Missouri

River fishing

Alley Spring

Eminence, Missouri

River fishing

Aunts Creek

Reeds Spring, Missouri

River fishing

Baxter

Lampe, Missouri

Lake fishing

Berry Bend

Warsaw, Missouri

All spots · 200 of 267 spots

Lake fishing

Adkison Lake

Parkville, Missouri

Lake fishing

Agate Lake

La Grange, Missouri

Lake fishing

Allendale Lake

Pleasant Hill, Missouri

Lake fishing

Ash Disposal Pond

Labadie, Missouri

Lake fishing

Atkinson Lake

Schell City, Missouri

Lake fishing

August A Busch Lake Number 16

Defiance, Missouri

Lake fishing

August A Busch Lake Number 31

Defiance, Missouri

River fishing

Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District

Ava, Missouri

Lake fishing

Baker Lake

Auxvasse, Missouri

Lake fishing

BaratHaven Lake

Dardenne Prairie, Missouri

Lake fishing

Barnard Lake

Strafford, Missouri

Lake fishing

Bean Lake

Rushville, Missouri

Lake fishing

Beers Lake

Osceola, Missouri

creek

Fly fishing

Bennett Spring State Park

Bennett Springs, Missouri

rainbow trout

Stocked

Surf fishing

Big M

Cassville, Missouri

Lake fishing

Big Oak Lake

Missouri

River fishing

Big Spring

Van Buren, Missouri

Lake fishing

Bledsoe Ferry

Warsaw, Missouri

Lake fishing

Bloomington

Macon, Missouri

Lake fishing

Blues Pond

Rolla, Missouri

Lake fishing

Bluff Pool

Mound City, Missouri

Lake fishing

Bluff View Marina

Piedmont, Missouri

River fishing

Bluff View(clearwater Lake)

Piedmont, Missouri

Lake fishing

Bo Co Mo Lake

Columbia, Missouri

Missouri puts fishing within reach no matter where you are in the state. The 266 listed spots on Roamze range from small community impoundments like Nodaway County Community Lake near Pickering and Constable Lake near Spickard in the north, to Ozark-edge reservoirs like Mark Twain Lake near Stoutsville and Smithville Lake near Trimble in the west. Down in the Bootheel you have access points like Ransburgh Hole near New Madrid and Bratcher Lake near Charleston, while the St. Louis corridor offers lakes like Clyde Mosley Lake near Wentzville and August A. Busch Lake Number 31 near Defiance. River anglers have options too, including Outlet Park near Wheatland and the Shell Knob Rec Site near Eagle Rock along Table Rock Lake's upper arms. The species mix across these waters leans heavily toward largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill — as reflected at Mark Twain Lake, one of the larger reservoirs on the list at 672 feet elevation. Whether you're after a quiet afternoon at a neighborhood lake like Bo Co Mo Lake near Columbia or a full day on a major impoundment, Missouri's spread of public fishing access is genuinely hard to beat in the Midwest.

Frequently asked questions

What species can I realistically expect to catch at Missouri's public lakes and reservoirs?

Largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill are the most common targets across the listed waters, and Mark Twain Lake near Stoutsville is a good example of a reservoir where all four are present. Smaller community lakes like Gray Lake near Kansas City and Coot Lake near Lee's Summit tend to be stocked with channel catfish and bluegill, making them solid options for casual trips. Check the Missouri Department of Conservation's fishing forecast tool before you go for site-specific stocking and population data.

When is the best time of year to fish in Missouri?

Spring (late March through May) is the most productive window overall, especially for crappie during their pre-spawn staging and largemouth bass moving into shallows. Fall (September through October) is a close second for bass and catfish as water temperatures drop. Summer fishing on lakes like Smithville Lake near Trimble and Lake Tishomingo near Hillsboro is best done early morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid midday heat that pushes fish deep.

Do I need a Missouri fishing license, and are there any site-specific permits?

Yes, a Missouri fishing permit is required for anyone 16 and older at all waters listed here. Some conservation area lakes, including those in the August A. Busch Wildlife Area near Defiance, may have additional area-specific regulations such as gear restrictions or closed seasons on certain sections. Always pull up the current MDC regulations for the specific access point before your trip, since rules can differ even between lakes on the same property.

What gear setup works across most of these spots?

A medium-action spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles the majority of situations you'll encounter at lakes like Junior Lake near Fulton or Allendale Lake near Pleasant Hill. For catfish at river access points like Outlet Park near Wheatland, a heavier medium-heavy rod with 15-20 lb monofilament and a simple slip-sinker rig is standard. Crappie at reservoir sites like Mark Twain Lake respond well to small jigs in the 1/16 to 1/8 oz range fished around brush piles and dock structure.

Are these fishing spots accessible for beginners or families with kids?

Many of the listed sites are specifically designed for easy access. Pier fishing at Peoples Creek near Wappapello and lake fishing at spots like Hideout Lake near Hillsboro and Fishermans Lake near Briarwood Estates involve minimal hiking and are suitable for kids and beginners. Mark Twain Lake's Frank Russell Access is rated easy and has parking and launch infrastructure that makes it manageable for first-timers. Avoid river access points like Shell Knob Rec Site near Eagle Rock if you're new to reading current, as water conditions there vary more than at still-water lakes.