Springfield is perfectly positioned for days on the water. Whether you want to fish for trophy bass, cruise on a pontoon with the family, or cast a fly rod into a trout stream, there is a lake or river nearby that fits. Here is your guide to the best boating and fishing near Springfield, MO within day-trip distance.
Fishing Licenses
Anyone 16 and older needs a valid Missouri fishing license. You can purchase one online, by phone at 1-800-392-4115, or at most sporting goods stores and bait shops in the Springfield area. A daily permit for residents and non-residents costs $9. Trout fishing requires an additional trout permit.
Buy Your Missouri Fishing License
In-Town Fishing (10 to 20 Minutes)
Lake Springfield
- Best for: Largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill
- Kayak and canoe rentals available at the boathouse during warmer months. Motors limited to 6 HP or less. Fishing docks and boat ramps on site. A solid option for a quick morning or evening fishing session without a long drive.
- Phone: (417) 895-6880
Fellows Lake
- Best for: Largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, crappie, channel catfish
- An 820-acre reservoir with boat rentals at the marina. Motors limited to 40 HP, which keeps the lake calm and the fishing productive. Fishing docks available. A City Utilities permit is required to launch your own boat.
- Phone: (417) 895-6880
Big Lake Boating and Fishing (45 Minutes to 1.5 Hours)
Table Rock Lake
- Distance from Cherry St House: About 1 hour south
- Best for: Bass fishing (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth), boating, water sports
- Over 43,000 acres of clear water with more than 40 marinas and nine public boat ramps. This is the premier lake in the region for both fishing and recreational boating. Rent a bass boat, pontoon, ski boat, or jet ski from any of the lakeside marinas. Guide services are widely available for bass fishing trips. Table Rock consistently ranks among the top bass fishing lakes in the country.
- State Park Marina: (417) 334-3069
Lake Taneycomo
- Distance from Cherry St House: About 50 minutes south
- Best for: Trout fishing (rainbow and brown trout)
- Cold water released from Table Rock Dam creates one of the best trout fisheries in the Midwest. Over 750,000 rainbow trout stocked annually. Fishing from docks, boats, or wading is all productive. Multiple guide services and boat rental options in the Branson and Forsyth area. The upper lake near the dam is the coldest and most productive for trout.
Stockton Lake
- Distance from Cherry St House: About 1 hour northwest
- Best for: Walleye, crappie, bass, catfish, sailing
- Nearly 25,000 acres of clear water with 300 miles of unspoiled shoreline. Stockton has become one of the best walleye lakes in the Midwest. Three marinas, multiple boat ramps, and guide services available. The persistent southwest breeze makes it a favorite for sailing. Stockton State Park marina offers boat rentals.
- Stockton State Park Marina: (417) 276-5329
Bull Shoals Lake
- Distance from Cherry St House: About 1.5 hours south
- Best for: Trophy striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie
- The big-fish lake. Stripers over 50 pounds and bass in the 5 to 15 pound range are caught here regularly. Over 45,000 acres with 1,200 miles of shoreline. The least developed and most rugged of the big Ozark lakes. Multiple marinas and guide services on both the Missouri and Arkansas sides.
Pomme de Terre Lake
- Distance from Cherry St House: About 1 hour north
- Best for: Muskie fishing, bass, crappie
- The go-to lake in the region for muskie. Also strong for bass and crappie. Quieter atmosphere than Table Rock with two marinas, boat ramps, and campgrounds. Pomme de Terre State Park offers boat rentals and lake access.
- Phone: (417) 852-4291
River Fishing
The Ozarks are ribboned with clear, fishable rivers. The James River runs through the Springfield metro area and offers smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish in accessible stretches near Ozark and Nixa. For guided river fishing trips, float trips, and kayak fishing, several local outfitters run trips on the James, Finley, and other nearby rivers.
Guided Fishing Trips
If you want a guide to put you on the fish, several services operate on the major lakes and rivers near Springfield. Guided trips typically include the boat, gear, tackle, and fish cleaning. Most guides can accommodate beginners and families as well as experienced anglers.
- Branson Guided Fishing Trips operates on Stockton Lake, Table Rock, Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals
Pro tip: For a quick fishing fix, Fellows Lake is your best bet close to town. For a full boat day with the family, Table Rock is hard to beat for sheer options and accessibility. If you are a serious angler chasing trophy fish, Bull Shoals for stripers or Pomme de Terre for muskie should be on your list.
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