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Fishing in Missouri

Click a region to explore top fishing spots, species, and local tips.

Missouri has 2,727 lakes — mostly man-made reservoirs with excellent fishing access including many managed fishing lakes with fishing docks and shore fishing facilities. From the massive Lake of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake to the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the Show-Me State offers world-class bass, crappie, catfish, and trout fishing across six distinct regions.

Topographic map — click to view full size

Northwest MO & Kansas City

Smithville Lake, Truman Lake, Missouri River, Longview Lake -- Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Walleye, White Bass

North Missouri

Mark Twain Lake, Thousand Hills, Hunnewell Lake -- Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Walleye

Central MO & Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks, Osage River, Pomme de Terre, Niangua River -- Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, White Bass, Walleye

Southwest MO & Ozarks

Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Stockton Lake, Springfield -- Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Crappie, Rainbow Trout, Walleye

Southeast MO & Bootheel

Mississippi River, Wappapello Lake, Duck Creek, Otter Creek -- Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Blue Catfish, Redear Sunfish

Eastern MO & St. Louis Area

Mississippi River, Meramec River, Busch Conservation, Cuivre River -- Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Crappie