Fishing Table Rock Lake, MO

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 3, 2026.

Popular Fish Species
Table Rock Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Table Rock Lake, MO

Popular Fish Species

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Table Rock Lake is a world-renown bass tournament lake. Weekend and tournament anglers find the fishing to be fair to good year round. Fishing for bass here can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 7 pounds being caught. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass and spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Careful fisheries management by the Missouri Department of Conservation has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers, as well as for catfish and bluegill.

Channel Catfish Fishing

To fish for catfish on Table Rock Lake, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. Flathead catfish also reside in the lake and they grow to giant size. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Table Rock Lake has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. The state record channel catfish is over 29 pounds. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Bluegill Fishing

Bluegill are a prime element in the fisheries ecosystem at Table Rock Lake. Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition here. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available.

Lake & Fishing Video

Fishing tips for boat or bank fishing

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, longear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, striped bass and paddlefish at Table Rock Lake in Missouri.

Come visit Table Rock Lake for the outdoor experiences of a lifetime. Beautiful scenery surrounds this 745 miles of shoreline known for some of the best largemouth bass and Kentucky bass fishing anywhere. Crappie, catfish, striped bass, sunfish and other species also lurk in these waters to thrill your angling spirit.

Table Rock Lake, located in southwestern Missouri, is renowned for its exceptional fishing opportunities. Spanning over 43,000 acres, this expansive lake offers anglers a chance to catch a variety of popular fish species.

Bass fishing is a major draw at Table Rock Lake, with largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass being the primary targets. The lake's healthy bass population, plus the potential for trophy-sized catches, make it a favorite bass fishing lake. Whether you're targeting bass, striped bass, walleye, catfish, or panfish, the lake offers excellent fishing. With plenty of boat docks and marinas, this is a great lake for bass boats, canoes, kayaks, pontoons, fishing boats and water-sport craft. If you prefer to fish from the bank, there is plenty of accessible shoreline at various places around the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Table Rock Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Table Rock Lake

Table Rock 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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Aunts Creek Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Aunts Creek Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Aunts Creek Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Aunts Creek Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Clevenger Cove Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, north side, off Clevenger Cove Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Dale Avenue Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the northeast side of the lake, off Dale Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Joe Bald Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Joe Bald Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Kimberling Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Nautical Circle, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Mill Creek Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Mill Creek Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Moonshine Beach Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Highway 265, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Roaring River Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Park Drive, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Table Rock Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, at the south end of the Highway 39 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Click here for marinas.

Fishing License

Click here for a Missouri Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Viney Creek Campground - 417 271-1001

Campbell Point Campground - 417 858-3903

Cape Fair Campground - 417 538-2220

Aunt's Creek Store & RV Park - 417 739-5267

Table Rock Lake RV Resort & Marina - 417 739-4627

Lakeview Campground - 417 338-5211

Indian Point Park Campground - 417 338-2121