Short answer: For most Missouri lakes, start with a 6 ft 6 in medium spinning combo, 8 to 10 lb line, a box of soft plastics, jigs, a crankbait and a spinnerbait, plus pliers and a valid Missouri fishing permit. Add a light rod for crappie and a heavy 7 to 8 ft rod if you want catfish. Clear Ozark lakes like Table Rock and Bull Shoals reward lighter line and finesse baits, while stained lakes like Truman and Mark Twain favor bigger, brighter baits.
Below we go lake by lake, then species by species, so you pack the right stuff for a weekend at the lake. For permits and limits we just link to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) since those numbers change. Fishing a river? See Fishing Missouri Rivers.
Before you go: permits and rules
- Buy a Missouri fishing permit on the MDC Fishing Permits page or the MO Fishing app. Age rules and exemptions are there too.
- Check MDC fishing regulations for lake-specific length and creel limits before you keep fish.
- Table Rock and Bull Shoals reach into Arkansas. If you fish the Arkansas side, check Arkansas rules too.
- Read the MDC Fishing Prospects page for the lake you are visiting. It lists best-bet species and the local office number.
Table Rock Lake (southwest Missouri)
MDC best bets: largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass, bluegill and paddlefish (MDC Fishing Prospects). Table Rock is deep and clear, so think light line, natural colors and finesse baits. Bass come shallow on points and docks in spring and fall. In summer, go deeper, fish early and late, or try nights.
Quick gear:
- Spinning combo, 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft medium, like the Lew's American Hero 6 ft 6 in spinning combo
- 6 to 10 lb fluorocarbon line for clear water
- Ned rigs and small soft plastics from Z-Man
- Finesse worms and craws from Zoom
- Shaky-head and drop-shot hooks, crawfish-color jigs
Lake of the Ozarks (central Missouri)
MDC best bets: largemouth bass, white crappie, blue and channel catfish, paddlefish, walleye and white bass (MDC Fishing Prospects). Lake of the Ozarks has miles of docks, and fishing them is the classic way to find bass and crappie. Summer weekends get busy with boats, so fish early or on a weekday.
Quick gear:
- Casting rod, 7 ft medium-heavy, for jigs and spinnerbaits (Fishing Rods)
- Spinnerbaits and jigs from Strike King
- Light spinning rod and 1/16 oz jigs for crappie under docks
- Catfish rig: 8 ft medium-heavy rod like the Eagle Claw Cat Claw 8 ft MH casting rod, circle hooks and sinkers
- Bait-casting or large spinning reel with 20 lb or heavier line for cats
Truman Lake (west-central Missouri)
MDC best bets: white and black crappie, blue and flathead catfish, paddlefish and hybrid striped bass (MDC Fishing Prospects). Truman means standing timber and stained water. Crappie folks work the timber with jigs and minnows, usually on long jig poles. Bass guys throw crankbaits and spinnerbaits along ledges and brush.
Quick gear:
- 10 to 12 ft jig pole, like the B'n'M Bucks Graphite Jig Pole 10 ft
- Hi-vis 4 to 6 lb line for crappie, plus jig heads from Eagle Claw
- Squarebill crankbaits and a crankbait rod like the Lew's TP2 6 ft 10 in squarebill casting rod
- Bright or chartreuse baits for stained water
- Heavy catfish rod, cut bait rig and a rod holder
Bull Shoals Lake (south-central Missouri)
MDC best bets: largemouth and spotted bass, walleye, black and white crappie (MDC Fishing Prospects). Bull Shoals is another clear, rocky Ozark lake that crosses into Arkansas. Your Table Rock bass gear works here. Walleye anglers fish points and flats, often at night in summer.
Quick gear:
- Medium spinning combo with 8 lb fluorocarbon (Rod & Reel Combos)
- Jerkbaits and crankbaits from Rapala
- Finesse plastics and tubes
- Bottom-bouncer or jig-and-crawler setups for walleye
- Headlamp if you fish after dark
Mark Twain Lake (northeast Missouri)
MDC best bets: white and black crappie, blue and channel catfish (MDC Fishing Prospects). Mark Twain is a crappie and catfish lake with flooded timber and brushy coves. Spring crappie in shallow cover draws a crowd.
Quick gear:
- Light crappie combo, like the Lew's Wally Marshall Speed Shooter 6 ft ML combo
- 1/32 to 1/8 oz jig heads and 2 in. soft plastics
- Slip bobbers and minnow hooks
- Catfish rods, circle hooks and 20 to 30 lb line (Fishing Line)
- Live-bait bucket and aerator for minnows
Stockton Lake (southwest Missouri)
MDC best bets: white and black crappie, walleye, white bass and largemouth bass (MDC Fishing Prospects). At Stockton, walleye, crappie and white bass share top billing. Try wind-blown points and flats for walleye and white bass.
Quick gear:
- Medium spinning combo for jigs and crankbaits (Rod & Reel Combos)
- Small swimbaits and spoons for white bass
- Jig-and-minnow or crawler rigs for walleye
- Crankbaits from Rapala for trolling or casting points
- A landing net
Pomme de Terre Lake (southwest Missouri)
MDC best bets: black and white crappie and muskellunge (MDC Fishing Prospects). Pomme de Terre is one of the few Missouri lakes where MDC lists muskie as a best bet. Most folks come for crappie, though.
Quick gear:
- Crappie jig pole or light spinning combo
- Small jigs, bobbers and minnow hooks
- Heavy rod and reel with heavy line and a leader if you target muskie
- Long-nose pliers and a large net for muskie
Smithville Lake (north of Kansas City, near Excelsior Springs)
MDC best bets: channel and flathead catfish, walleye and white crappie (MDC Fishing Prospects). Smithville is the closest big lake for a lot of Kansas City, Liberty and Excelsior Springs anglers. It's an easy weekday or after-work run for catfish, crappie and walleye.
Quick gear:
- Catfish setup: 8 to 9 ft medium-heavy rod, like the Okuma Tundra 9 ft MH spinning rod for long casts from the bank
- Circle hooks, swivels and egg sinkers
- Light spinning combo for crappie
- Jig-and-minnow or crankbaits for walleye
- Rod holder and bank chair
Season-by-season gear and technique
- Spring (March to May): Crappie and bass go shallow to spawn and white bass run the tributaries. Fish jigs, minnows, spinnerbaits and plastics around shallow cover.
- Summer (June to August): Fish early, late or at night. Go deeper with drop shots, deep crankbaits and jigs. Cut bait for cats.
- Fall (September to November): Fish follow shad into the creeks, so throw shad-looking topwater, spinnerbaits, swimbaits and crankbaits.
- Winter (December to February): Slow down. Jigs, blade baits and spoons over deep structure, light line for crappie.
Rod and reel by target species
| Species | Rod | Reel | Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and spotted bass | 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft 3 in, medium to medium-heavy | Spinning (finesse) or baitcasting (jigs, spinnerbaits) | 8 to 12 lb fluorocarbon, 30 to 50 lb braid |
| Crappie | 10 to 12 ft jig pole, or 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft 6 in light spinning | Small spinning or spincast | 4 to 6 lb mono, hi-vis helps |
| Catfish | 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy or heavy | Baitcasting or large spinning | 20 to 30 lb mono or 50 lb braid |
| Walleye | 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft medium-light or medium | Spinning, 2500 size | 6 to 10 lb mono or fluorocarbon |
| White bass and hybrids | 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft medium | Spinning | 8 to 12 lb mono |
Shop Fishing Rods, Reels and Rod & Reel Combos, or browse Lew's and Okuma combos.
Starter tackle box checklist
- Soft plastics: worms, craws and creature baits (Zoom, Berkley)
- Bladed jigs like the Z-Man ChatterBait Jackhammer 3/8 oz
- Spinnerbaits and squarebill crankbaits (Strike King)
- Jerkbait and a shallow crankbait (Rapala)
- Crappie jigs, jig heads and hooks (Eagle Claw)
- Bobbers, split shot, egg sinkers and swivels
- Spare line in the weights you fish (Fishing Line)
- Pliers, line cutters and a hook remover
- Measuring tape or bump board for MDC length limits
- Sunscreen, polarized sunglasses and a headlamp
- Your Missouri fishing permit, on your phone or on paper
Find more in Lures, Baits & Attractants and the full Fishing shop. Want it all in one box? Grab the Lake Fishing Day Kit.
Missouri lake fishing FAQ
What is the best all-around rod and reel for Missouri lakes?
A 6 ft 6 in medium, fast-action spinning rod with a 2500-size reel and 8 to 10 lb line covers most Missouri lake fishing. It handles soft plastics and small crankbaits for bass, jigs for crappie and live bait for white bass. Add a longer, heavier rod later if you get into catfish.
What lures work best for bass on Table Rock Lake?
Table Rock is clear, so anglers lean on finesse baits like Ned rigs, shaky-head worms and drop shots on light line, plus jigs and crankbaits that imitate crawfish and shad. Use darker or natural colors and lighter fluorocarbon line when the water is clear.
What do I need to catch crappie in Missouri?
A light spinning combo or a 10 to 12 ft jig pole, 4 to 6 lb line, 1/32 to 1/8 oz jig heads with small soft plastics, a few bobbers and minnow hooks. Fish brush piles, docks and standing timber. Go shallower in spring, deeper in summer and winter.
Do I need a fishing permit to fish Missouri lakes?
Most anglers 16 and older need a Missouri fishing permit, with some exceptions. Rules, prices and exemptions change, so check the MDC Fishing Permits page before you go. You can buy online or in the MO Fishing app.
Where can I find current length and creel limits for a Missouri lake?
Use the Missouri Department of Conservation's fishing regulations pages. Some lakes have their own length and creel limits for bass, crappie, walleye and catfish, and they can change from year to year, so check before you keep fish.
What gear do I need for catfish on Truman or Lake of the Ozarks?
A 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy rod, a baitcasting or large spinning reel spooled with 20 to 30 lb line, circle hooks, egg or no-roll sinkers, swivels, a rod holder and good pliers. Cut shad is a common bait for blue catfish, while flatheads favor live bait.
When is the best time to fish Missouri lakes?
Spring is the busiest season, when crappie and bass move shallow to spawn and white bass run up tributaries. Fall is also strong as fish chase shad. Summer fishing is best early, late and at night, and winter rewards slow jigging over deep structure.
