Fishing Mark Twain Lake

AKA: Mark Twain Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Mark Twain Lake Fishing Video
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Mark Twain Lake, mo

Popular Fish Species Mark Twain Lake, MO

Crappie Fishing

White crappie reside in good numbers in Mark Twain Lake. Crappie fishing is slowly on the rise after prior-year droughts. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Mark Twain Lake offers decent fishing for largemouth bass. Bass populations suffered due to drought conditions at Mark Twain Lake in prior years. Thanks to diligent fisheries management by the Missouri Department of Conservation, improved prospects are on the horizon. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Mark Twain Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

White Bass Fishing

Despite poor water conditions in prior years, white bass are holding their own in Mark Twain Lake and anglers should expect some decent fishing this year. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Mark Twain Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, white crappie, walleye, bluegill and white bass at Mark Twain Lake in Missouri.

The largest reservoir in northern Missouri, Mark Twain Lake has over 275 miles of shoreline and 18,000 surface acres. Created in 1984 with the creation of Clarence Cannon Dam it offers abundant water-sport recreation opportunities. Enjoy water skiing, fishing, camping and hiking. Click here for a current appraisal of fishing conditions at Mark Twain Lake.

Largemouth bass are highly sought after in Mark Twain Lake. Catfish anglers will also find plenty of action as the lake is home to channel, blue and flathead catfish, which can grow to impressive sizes. Crappie are another popular species in Mark Twain Lake. Bluegill can also be found in abundance here.

Fishing Report

Primary fish species residing in Mark Twain Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Mark Twain Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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