Fishing At Atkinson Lake

AKA: Atkinson Reservoir

Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

The purpose of this page is to deliver an overview of this lake, the fishing options, and area amenities. Our goal is to provide info to first time visitors, as well as beginner and novice anglers. We gathered details from personal experience, numerous trusted websites, and videos of fishing activity on the lake. These websites include the Missouri Department of Conservation, marinas at the lake, campgrounds, boat rental agencies and others. By consolidating this information to one page it allows visitors to see the entire picture, all in one place.

Atkinson Lake, located in the state of Missouri, offers a fantastic fishing experience for anglers of all skill levels. The lake is renowned for its diverse fish population and provides ample opportunities to catch various species. Among the popular fish species in Atkinson Lake are largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, white crappie, and white bass.

Largemouth bass are a prized catch in Atkinson Lake, known for their aggressive strikes and strong fights. Anglers can target these bass using a variety of techniques, such as casting with topwater lures, working plastic worms or jigs along the weed lines, or trolling with crankbaits. The lake's structure and vegetation provide excellent habitat for largemouth bass, making it an ideal spot to reel in these prized game fish.

Catfish enthusiasts will also find plenty of action at Atkinson Lake. The lake is home to channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish, offering anglers the chance to land some impressive specimens. Catfish can be targeted using a variety of baits, including live or cut bait, stink baits, or chicken livers. The lake's deep holes, rocky shorelines, and submerged structures provide favorable habitats for catfish, making it an exciting destination for catfish anglers.

White crappie and white bass are also abundant in Atkinson Lake. Anglers can target white crappie using jigs, small minnows, or crappie nibbles around submerged structures, brush piles, or drop-offs. White bass, known for their schooling behavior, can be targeted using small crankbaits, jigs, or spinners near the lake's points, flats, or rocky shorelines. Anglers can enjoy the fast-paced action and the opportunity to catch a nice stringer of these popular panfish species.

As part of the Schell-Osage Conservation Area, Atkinson Lake is a 450-acre lake in the west-central part of the state at Schell City, MO. The dominant species in the lake is channel catfish. Other catfish, bass, crappie and sunfish also reside here. Kayaks, canoes and small fishing boats are plenty for this relatively small body of water. There are several places around the lake affording access to shoreline fishing. The lake has a considerable number of trees, brush and stumps as cover for the fish populations.

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

What to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, white crappie and white bass at Atkinson Lake in Missouri.

Primary fish species residing in Atkinson Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Atkinson Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: GRAVEL
Campgrounds: NO
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: NO
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: NEARBY