Road to Missouri Lakes Trailhead
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 02 16th, 2010
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The Best Walleye Fishing Spots In Missouri
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 01 22nd, 2010There are some great walleye fishing spots in Missouri. Lake of the Ozarks, Stockton Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir, Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake and Mark Twain Lake are the top spots. These areas also have bass and panfish besides the walleye. The one thing that is a very well kept secret in Missouri is the ice fishing for walleye. Lake of the Ozarks is the best walleye fishing during the winter. Some anglers get out there and catch some prize trophies. The best thing to use during the winter months is heavier crankbaits while trolling. You might even try the grub on a jig, the weight should be about one eighth.
In October, Bull Shoals Lake is a great place to catch walleye. Many people do not even consider this lake for catching walleye and this is a shame because the action is hot in October. The lake has a great shad population that helps to feed the walleye and make them a good healthy weight. Here you would want to use crankbaits or some shad colored grubs. If you are fishing the rocky areas, a night crawler on a leadhead is great. In most cases, the planer boards work well with spinner rigs. During the spawning season in spring, you want to fish by the rocky areas from Barker Hole to Beaver Creek.
If you want to catch the walleye from shore during the spring spawning months, the Stockton Dam is a great area. However, the best time of day is a few hours before and after sunset. The popular area is by the Rip Rap by the dam. When you are fishing from shore near the riprap, you can use a shallow or floating running bait. Anglers recommend keeping the smaller males and leaving the larger females to spawn for future generations of walleye. On Stockton Lake, you can keep any fish that is fifteen inches or longer and they have a daily catch limit of four.
If you are using a fish locator on Stockton Lake, you will want to find the areas where the shad are in schools. Walleye will follow the shad and you can see the shad while the walleye are like black dots among the schools. The best time for walleye depends on the time of day and year, wind and water temperature. Fishing on Stockton Lake is better at dawn and dusk as well as overcast days. During the winter months, walleye hang out by the springs where the shad prefer to be. The water temperature is warmer than the forty-degree water temperatures away from the springs.
Table Rock Lake has many underwater habitats for walleye. When the lake was built, they never cleared the trees and other deadfall under the water, which has made a nice home for walleye. The shad in the lake allows the walleye to feed and grow to good-sized fish. Many anglers use the drop and sink method in this lake. They sit right above the deadfall and drop right into the middle of the school of shad coming up with a fish. This is a nice resort area and does not have a lot of boat activity, which makes it a nice fishing spot.
Mark Twain Lake is noted as a good place to fish for walleye, but keep in mind that you have to go at the right time and the right season. The best time to fish this lake is during spawning season. The shad population is what keeps the walleye in the lake, but you do need to fish for walleye during the particular time of year. The tributary streams in the spring are the best place to fish the walleye.
Lake of the Ozarks Fishing
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 01 21st, 2010Time spent in the Lake of the Ozarks is not complete without spending a little time out on the water. Some of the best fishing in the Midwest occurs at the Lake of the Ozarks every year. Anglers from throughout the United States and beyond come to the area for the various species located in the waters of Lake of the Ozarks.
From the Catfish to the Largemouth Bass, there truly is something for fishermen of all tastes. Besides Catfish and Largemouth Bass, anglers have the opportunity to catch Crappie, Walleye, White Bass, and Hybrid Striped Bass. The wide variety of fish makes it possible for each fishing trip to be successful and the serene environment adds to the overall experience.
Fishing is an all year sport in the large Missouri lake. The typical fishing season begins (for the most devoted of anglers) on January 1. It extends to December 31, only to start again once a new year has begun. The typical lures used in the spring are either jig-n-frog bait or crankbaits. These lures allow anglers to fish in some of the deeper waters, when the water is cold.
In the warmer months, lures such as plastic worms are used for surface fishing. This type of fishing is some of the most exciting in the Ozarks and many anglers travel here to experience a catch in this breathtaking region. Topwater fishing usually occurs after the bass spawn. This happens in between late April and early May.
In Lake Ozarks, bass are most often found near the deeper waters. They also tend to stay around the boat docks and near drop off points until the fall and early winter months, when they tend to head to shallower waters again.
The limit for the amount of fish you can catch is fifteen. This can be filled in 15-20 casts for the more experienced angler on the lake. White Bass tend to school and swim in the shallower waters while the Black Bass are in the deeper waters. Crappie fishing is also incredibly popular for anglers who fish in Lake of the Ozark waters. There is a length limit for Crappie fish of 9 inches. The best time to fish for Crappie is after spawning which tends to occur from mid to late April. However, this fluctuates depending on the weather. The best indicator of the best time for crappie is when the dogwoods bloom.
The Hybrid Stripers and the Striper Bass, which were originally stocked in the Lake back in 1980, are some of the most sought after fish in this area. At this time, the state record for Hybrid Stripers stands at 20.5 lbs. and came from the lake back in 1986. Other state records for fishing in the dragon lake include a 36 lb. 12 oz. Small Mouth Buffalo, a 111 lbs. Paddlefish, a 41 lbs. 2 oz. Muskie, a 40 lbs. Freshwater Drum, and a 91 lbs. Blue Catfish.
Of course, the true catch of the lake is the Paddlefish. Paddlefish, which are also known as Spoonbills, have been around for centuries. In fact, it is believed they date back as far as the dinosaurs. Anglers typically catch Paddlefish by blind snagging. How this is done is the angler will scout the area for Paddlefish using large hooks and heavy lead sinkers. They can also find these rare fish by casting and retrieving hooks through jerking. The only Paddlefish that can be caught, if they will be caught, are 34 inches and longer during the Paddlish season, which is March 15-April 30.
Lake of the Ozarks fits the needs of so many freshwater fishermen. It does not matter whether you are new to fishing or a seasoned professional. If you want to relax and kick back or catch the Bass you have been dreaming about, then you have come to the right place.
If you want to experience fishing with the assistance of a qualified guide, you should consider one of the many fishing charters in Lake of the Ozarks. Some of the most popular charters include Firstmate Fishing Charters, Show Me Guide Service, and Hook-Em Guide Service. To find out more, search online for Fishing Charters in Lake of the Ozarks.
The History of Branson, Missouri
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 01 18th, 2010Today, Branson Missouri is the live music capital of the world and a city bustling with tourism and action. It was not always this way, considering the fact that Branson got its start as a tiny little river town. From its humble start, it quickly grew over the years to one of the top family destinations in the country.
How Branson Began
In 1837, Taney County, the county in which Branson is located was developed. Many years later, in 1882, Reuben Branson built a general store and post office, and the location became known as Branson, Missouri, named after the owner.
The year 1884 saw a great migration of settlers to the Ozark area in search of free land and a better life, allowing Branson to become homesteaded, with each family getting 160 acre lots. In 1912 Branson was officially incorporated with 1,200 residents, and business began to come to the city. The Winch Spoke Company and American Pencil Company were just a few of the companies that set up shop here.
The Birth of Branson Tourism
Throughout the following years, tourism began with the birth of Silver Dollar City and Marvel Cave founded by William Henry Lynch in 1894. As early as 1904 a resort city began to form, with the creation of a new bank, hotel, stable, and resorts, all of which were formed to accommodate the local travelers and workers.
The famous author Harold Bell Wright wrote the book “The Shepherd of the Hills” in 1907, which brought thousands of tourists to the city in order to experience the Ozark country for itself. This spurred Branson tourism even further, and made it a must see destination. His work is now depicted in a theatrical performance, several times weekly in downtown Branson.
The Beginning of Branson Shows
In 1959, an enterprising family began putting on shows in the basement of the Branson City Hall with nothing but folding chairs. The Mabes family entertained visitors with their wit and musical charm, and called themselves, “The Baldknobbers.” They toured the area putting on shows with homemade instruments while their wives stood by the roadside with signs for advertisement. Today, they are one of the most popular Branson shows.
Another entertaining family, the Presleys, started their own show alongside a road, just west of Branson. The erected a small metal building and played each night for anyone who happened to be passing by. It was slow going, but they too also developed into one of the most popular local Branson shows.
Growth and Development in Branson from 1950’s to Present
In 1963 The Table Rock Dam was completed, which created the first major lake for fishing in the area and stopped the constant threat of flooding that had terrorized the waterfront town. In the mid 1970’s a two lane road was blasted through the area to cut down on the driving time to get to Branson, and a short decade later, the amount of shops, shows, and dining options along the newly constructed Highway 76 skyrocketed. A tribute to the rapid growth was evidenced by the fact that in 1959, Baldknobbers was the only area show, and by 1980 there were 16 Branson entertainment options.
Major news publication began to see the potential of Branson Missouri beginning in 1991 when it was featured in Time magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and People magazine. The hit show 60 Minutes also did a spotlight on the town and started a flow of tourism that fed the cities growing tourism market.
After the public media attention many big name stars began to see the potential of this booming waterfront town. Ray Stevens, Moe Brandy, Mel Tillis, and Andy Williams are just some of the stars who began to bring their business and attention to Branson.
In recent years Branson’s tourism industries have continued to grow, with the addition of the massive Branson Landing with its rows of huge outlet stores, fine dining, and entertainment options. Championship golf courses have formed vacation resort destinations, and a new convention center has brought in big businesses looking for convenient meeting facilities. In 2009 ground was broken on the brand new Branson Airport, which will be sure to bring even more traffic to this booming city.
Even though it started off as only a humble river town, Branson Missouri has grown in an exciting city full of entertainment choices and activities. With more than 100 live shows, 12 golf courses, and three large fishing lakes, it is easy to see why Branson is now considered one of the premier vacation destinations.
Top 10 reasons to Visit Bull Shoals Lake
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 11 23rd, 2009We recently added a new video to the site entitled “top 10 reasons to visit Bull Shoals Lake and where to stay“. You can watch this video by clicking on the previous link or by going to [http://www.showmelakes.com/bullshoals.php]
Additionally you can also view the video below:
Planning Your Next Trip To The Missouri Ozakrs
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 10 25th, 2009If you have never taken a trip to the Missouri Ozarks this region of the country really has some great lakes to offer. You are probably familiar with Lake of the Ozarks but there are many lesser known bodies of water that can really provide you and your family with a great trip. If you are looking to get away from the crowds then you might want to check out Lake Pomme De Terre, Truman Lake, or Stockton Lake. All three of these lakes are about the same distance from St. Louis as Lake of the Ozarks but are much more “off the beaten path”. All three of these lakes are fueled by water from the Osage River and will provided you with a destination that is far different from the party atmosphere of the Ozarks.
Lake Pomme De Terre is located in Southwestern Missouri and was originally made as part of a large flood controll project. Locally Pomme De Terre is famous to fishermen for one main reason, the lake is stocked with Muskie. This is done by the Lost Valley Fish hatchery, who stock the lake with up to 10,000 Muskie every year. Pomme De Terre is not only popular for fishing, the lake has very little commercial development and therefore is very popular with nature enthusiasts. A very neat aspect of Pomme De Terre is that there are two state parks around the lake with a total of over 650 campsites! These sites are not just typical campsites either, many have electric hook ups for RV’s and all of them are really well kept. Another really cool feature of the lake is that there are two public beaches that have imported sand so they are a lot nicer than the typical sand bars that can be found around waterways in Missouri. Overall if you are looking to take a relaxing vacation or weekend getaway and enjoy the beautiful Missouri Ozarks then Lake Pomme De Terre is sure to provide you with everything you are looking for.
Truman Lake is located in Central Missouri about 45 minutes from Columbia. A little known fact about Truman is that it is actually the largest man made lake in the entire United States. Truman is located very close to Lake of the Ozarks and is a very popular tourist destination. The lake is great for all types of boating activities due to its large size. Another great aspect about visiting Truman is that there is minimal boating traffic on the lake, this is great for finding smooth water to ski on or a secluded cove to catch a few fish in. Truman has a little more commercial development than Pomme De Terre but there is still a really nice mix of resorts and campsites all along the shores of this huge lake.
Stockton lake is located in south western Missouri somewhat near Springfield. This lake is somewhat famous locally and throughout the United States with a select group of people, sailing enthusiasts. The reason is that the lake is constantly battered by strong winds that sweep across the lake from west to east. There is even a large sailing club on Stockton Lake that holds several races each year with large turnouts. In general Stockton is a great lake to visit if you want to enjoy a relaxing vacation away from any large crowds but still stay at a nice resort. Stockton is typically not very crowded, in fact it is not unusual for to spend a day out on the lake and see only a few boats out on the water! Even though the lake is not very crowded there are about 15 – 20 real nice resorts spread throughout the lake as well as numerous campgrounds.
I hope you enjoyed this small review on each of these three lakes, and more importantly I hope you find some time to get out and take a weekend trip to one of these lakes, I promise you wont regret it.
I was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks and currently help opperate a tourism website in the State of Missouri Called Show-me-Lakes. If you are looking for places to stay on any of the three lakes mentioned in this article I encourage you to check out out pages on:
This article can also be found on our E-zine page at: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sam_L_Bell
