Branson Missouri Fishing

The three main Lakes in the Branson Tri-Lakes area combine to offer a combination of fishing boating, and water activities that is unsurpassed anywhere else in the world. Whether its fishing for "warm water" fish such as Large Mouth Bass or "cold water" fish such as Rainbow and Brown Trout, swimming, boating, water skiing, dinner and entertainment cruises, dinner on a "floating gourmet restaurant" or just a relaxing stroll on a nature trail or along the lake front in beautiful historic down town Branson, it is available for you to enjoy.

Long before Branson, Missouri became known as the live music capitol of the world, visitors have been flocking to the White River Basin in the scenic Ozark Mountains for some of the best trout and bass fishing in the country. The creation of Powersite Dam, Bull Shoals Dam and then Table Rock Dam changed the area of the White River rapids to 3 very individual fishing and recreational areas: Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals Lake where visitors can enjoy the open waters of the lakes all year round.

Visitors to Branson will find some of the best top sport freshwater fishing in the country at any of our 3 lakes with a variety of fish - great for eating and for trophies. Various species are found in our lakes but trout and bass fishing are the very best. The lakes continue to be a haven for professional sportsmen and week-end anglers alike aided by cooperative aggressive measures to preserve the natural environment of the lakes area and well managed stocking programs. More than 200 species of fish can be found in Missouri's lakes and in the Branson/Lakes Area trout and bass fishing are the very best. Anyone who fishes must have the appropriate lifetime, annual or daily fishing permit, or qualify for an exemption. (Exemptions include anyone fishing on their own land, a Missouri resident 65 years or older or a resident or non-resident 15 years old or younger.)

TABLE ROCK LAKE

The completion of Table Rock Dam in 1958 created today’s 52,300 acre lake with 857 miles of shoreline. Table Rock Lake has attained national recognition as a top bass fishing lake. Largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky spotted bass, white bass, and rock bass provide fast and furious action at the spring spawning. Early spring and late fall are the best times for lunker bass. 15 inch or larger crappie can be caught at these times also. The summer months are best for bass, crappie and large bluegill. The crappie spawn in April and May is a good time to find them around the brush piles, stumps and down trees. Catfish can be found in the coves and creeks.

Table Rock Lake is a fisherman's dream come true. From novice to expert anglers, Table Rock Lake is a fisherman’s dream come true and a great fishing experience. This lake is nationally recognized as a top bass fishing lake. The action in this lake is fast and furious with the large numbers of Kentucky spotted bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and white bass. Early spring and late fall are the best times to catch what is known as a lunker bass. Crappie of about 15 inches can also be caught during these seasons.

During the summer months, bass, crappie and large bluegill are found in abundance. Catfish of all sizes also roam the lake bottom looking for food. The consistent action and variety of catches will thrill anglers of all ages and skill levels.

LAKE TANEYCOMO

Lake Taneycomo changed from a warm water to a cold water fishery with the completion of Table Rock Dam, creating a perfect habitat for trout. Fishing patterns change throughout the seasons for these beautiful fish but catching is active all year round. There are several species of bass and panfish available in Lake Taneycomo as well as the trout.

Lake Taneycomo is the ideal habitat to grow record sized trout (rainbow and brown variety in particular), in September, 1998 a local to the area caught a whopping world record 25-pound brown trout in this very lake! Word of mouth around here is that the best way to catch trout is by drifting angle worms or salmon eggs. The headwaters in the uppermost section of the lake are ideal for fly fishing, this section of the lake is also reserved for artificial lures such as tiny jigs and crankbaits. This lake is an absolute must for any avid fisherman, keep the camera handy, you just may snag yourself into the records books too! What a vacation that would be!

The locals say that the best way to catch trout is by drifting salmon eggs or angle worms. Affix the eggs or worms to a small hook and cast into holes with an ultralight rod and reel. This method used from a drifting boat or from a dock or the shore will yield a nice stringer of trout.

Note: You must purchase a Missouri Trout Stamp in addition to a fishing license when trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo. Also, be sure to bring your camera because the next catch to land in the record books may be yours!

BULL SHOALS LAKE

Bull Shoals Lake flows from Forsyth into Arkansas and features a rugged undeveloped shoreline. It is a perfect place to slow down and escape from everyday life. Bull Shoals offers a variety of water activities and public access points to the lake for fishing and recreation. Houseboats rentals are available for a truly relaxing getaway.

This lake is a really popular as a tournament lake and has a reputation for producing huge fish of several varieties. Smallmouth and spotted bass, along with crappie bream and catfish of all sizes can be found in Bull Shoals Lake. Make sure you check fishing requirements first, some portions of this lake are located both in Missouri and Arkansas, each state’s law governs the section of lake that falls within their territory. The last thing you want is a huge fish you hooked in Missouri to tow right into Arkansas where you can be fined for fishing illegally!

Record catches on this lake include a 5-pound, 5-ounce white bass, a 13-pound 14-ounce largemouth bass and a 21-pound, 1-ounce walleye. Scrappy largemouth, spotted and white bass abound in the lake along with crappie, channel cat, bream and walleye. Below the dam in the cold water of the White River, live the pole-bending rainbow and brown trout.

Be sure to check fishing permit requirements. Since portions of Bull Shoals and Table Rock Lake are located in both Missouri and Arkansas, each of those state's laws govern the corresponding sections of the lake. That lunker that you hook in Missouri might just tow your boat all the way into Arkansas!