Best Fishing Spots In Missouri

Your fishing boat gives you access to summer recreation and relaxation, no matter where you take it. Here in the Show Me State, we’ve got no shortage of great lakes and rivers for fishing enthusiasts everywhere. From man-made reservoirs to our amazing natural rivers, you’re bound to find the fish you’re looking for in every corner of the state. This list of top fishing spots in Missouri comes to you courtesy of your friends here at White’s Marine Center in Pittsburg. Check out one or more of these amazing locations and let us know how it went!

Lake of the Ozarks (Village of Four Seasons, MO)

This man-made reservoir on the Osage River is one of the stand-out features of central Missouri. A popular tourist destination since its creation in the 1930s, Lake of the Ozarks has so much to offer the recreational fisher. Trailer up your boat and tow it to any one of the amazing towns along the 1,150 miles of shoreline. The lake covers over 14,000 square miles total and is referred to as “The Magic Dragon” because of its serpentine shape.

In the Lake of the Ozarks, you’ll find a huge variety of fish waiting for you to cast your line. Seek out largemouth and spotted bass, black and white crappie, catfish, walleye, paddlefish and bluegill, among other species. The springtime is the best time for bass fishing. Use one of the two boat ramps along the shore to launch your craft into the water and enjoy a full afternoon on this beautiful reservoir until you’ve filled your livewell.

Pomme de Terre Lake (Pittsburg, MO)

Look at that! You don’t even have to leave the city of Pittsburg to find great fishing in Missouri! Pomme de Terre (that’s French for “apple of the earth,” which translates to “potato”) Lake is another man-made reservoir that’s stocked up with plenty of different types of fish. The fishing pier is here in Pittsburg, but you can fish anywhere along the lake’s 113 miles of shore length. You’ll be able to find crappie, bass, walleye and muskellunge here. Pomme de Terre Lake has one of the best catch ratios in the United States!

Busch Conservation Area (St. Charles, MO)

Just outside of the St. Louis metro area is a cache of 28 lakes that are perfect for fishing. Covering nearly 7,000 acres, this family-friendly area has something for everyone. There’s even a kids-only fishing pond for your under-15 anglers who want a chance at catching a sunfish or a bluegill all on their own. Some of the fish you can find in the many lakes here include catfish, big bass, rainbow trout and white crappie.

Lake Taneycomo (Forsyth, MO)

Yet another man-made reservoir just northeast of Branson, this lake was created by the Powersite Dam in 1913. It began as a warm water lake, but the completion of Table Rock Dam in 1958 drew in water from the White River, turning it cold. Its brisk waters make it one of the best trout-fishing lakes in the United States, fishable all the year round. Seek out rainbow or big brown trout, or go for bass fishing in the lower portion of the lake near Rockaway Beach, where the water warms up. Smallmouth, largemouth and white bass can all be found there, as well as walleye, bluegill and black crappie.

Fleming Park (Blue Springs, MO)

With almost 8,000 acres of area to its name, this recreational spot grants you access to a number of small fishing ponds as well as the larger Blue Springs Lake. Flathead catfish, hybrid striped bass are only two of the types of fish you can catch here. A disability-friendly fishing dock ensures everyone can have a great time! The boat launch lets you push your fishing boat into the water so you can explore the depths easily.

This list isn’t exhaustive by any means, since Missouri has far more state parks, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and rivers stocked with fish than we can possibly cover here. We hope you’ve found a place that sounds worthy of a weekend fishing trip, though! Still don’t have the right craft? Come on by our Pittsburg dealership to check out our selection of new and used fishing boats for sale. White’s Marine Center proudly serves both Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri.