Ok, so maybe top secret is a little over the top, but these spots are great ones to find some good fishing. Whether you’re an experienced angler or more of the armchair fisherman, you need a sweet spot to find where they’re bitin’. Living in the Ozarks affords us so many great spots to find good fishing. The area is peppered with lakes, ponds, streams and rivers of all different sizes with all different types of fish. We’ll share some of our secret spots with you! Share your best catches with us in the comments section on Facebook!

#1 – Below the Dam at Warsaw

Pay attention to the water release out of Truman Lake into lake of the Ozarks. Try going in the late evening, because you’ll be able to spot some white bass and hybrids. They often start to surface around dusk.

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Bank. Boats are illegal in this spot!

#2 – The Grand River Arm of Truman Lake

Anywhere around striking distance of Bucksaw marina. A little above or a little below the marina will yield some big ones!

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Bank spot

#3 – Patrick Bridge Access

The Patrick Bridge access on the North Fork river is great place to catch Trout. The North Fork makes a great float, too! There are plenty of places to swim, swing and fish all over the place!

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Bank spot

#4 – Peach Orchard Cove

This nice little cove at Cape Fair is perfect for a quiet spot to snatch up a crappie dinner. You’re going to need a boat for this one!

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Boat

#5 – Googer Creek

Googer Creek at Stockton Lake is an awesome spot to find crappie.

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Boat

#6 – The Flats Outside Googer creek

Walleye more your speed? Head to the flats outside Googer Creek and you’ll find them swimming around!

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Boat

#7 – Bear Den Cove

Hang out near the brush piles at Bear Den Cove and you’ll be eating sweet. The crappie are thick in that area!

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Boat

# 8 – The Mouth of Flat Creek

Camp out near the stump at the mouth of Flat Creek at Cape Fair and you’ll get some bites.

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Either one

#9 – Little Indian Creek At Table Rock

A little spot to catch bass is Little Indian Creek on Table Rock Lake.

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Boat

#10 – Cow Creek at Table Rock

Finally, Cow Creek at Table Rock Lake is fantastic place to snare some bass.

What you can catch there:

Bank or boat?

Boat

And here’s Our Ozarks Magazine‘s Jeff Haskins on a few spots he loves to go fishing:

If you’re looking for some serious fishing time on the lake, then hook up the boat and head to Bull Shoals Lake. Away from the heavy boat traffic, Bull Shoals also provides ample opportunity for the lunker bass. Pomme De Terre Lake is north of Springfield and is a quiet retreat from the usual boat traffic and has good fishing.

Some of the best fishing in the Ozarks is on the rivers and they provide family fun as well. If you don’t have your own kayak or canoe, there are a multitude of rental services to get you down the river and pick you up at the end destination. While the James River is just a few minutes outside Springfield and is a favorite among many locals, you can find better fishing and scenery if you head southeast towards the North Fork River in Ozark County, or a bit further east is the ever popular Current, Eleven Point or Jacks Fork Rivers. Cooled by numerous springs, those clear waters are great for floating and for finding a nice smallmouth bass to latch onto. And you can’t beat the side trips available to visit several old mill sites of the Ozarks.

The Niangua River near Lebanon, Missouri is also a nice float and fishing stream. Bennett Spring Park is along the Niangua and allows you a chance to either learn how to fly fish or use normal rod and reel on other stretches down from the trout hatchery. Kid friendly, there are swings and great walking trails.

With the fam

If you are looking to just throw the family and a couple poles in the car, try the parks along Rockaway Beach on Lake Taneycomo to try your hand at catching a few trout. There are nearby restaurants if you come up empty handed and nearby flea markets in the quaint little town or up the road in Forsyth. Or hit the park at Ozark Beach Dam at the lower end of Lake Taneycomo (known to all around as Powersite Dam). This little park is a hidden gem to most and has a beautiful setting and easy access to the banks where you can throw a line in and lean up against a shade tree. Again, family friendly for the little ones.