Fishing Truman Lake

AKA: Truman Reservoir, Harry S Truman Lake

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

Truman Reservoir, MO

Popular Fish Species Truman Lake, MO

Crappie Fishing

Black and white crappie both reside in Truman Lake, with black crappie typically out-weighing white crappie. They often school together, so when you find them you may catch both species. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. 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.

Truman Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Truman Lake offers good fishing for largemouth bass. Lately the fishing here for bass has continued to impress bass fishing enthusiasts. Some big bass roam Truman Lake, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the Missouri Department of Conservation, as well as the availability of extensive cover for both baitfish and bass. 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 Truman Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year, an exceptionally vast population of smaller blue catfish (under 25 pounds) are over-populating the lake and are available to be caught. The Missouri Department of Conservation is encouraging harvest of these smaller sizes to protect the fishery for existence of the larger sizes, in Truman Lake. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 130 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive summer around any kind of structure. 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. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Other catfish in the lake include channel and flathead catfish.

Truman Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass and paddlefish at Truman Reservoir in Missouri.

A sprawling 55,600-acre reservoir, Truman Lake offers camping, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, sightseeing, and many other outdoor recreation activities. Excellent fishing for bass, crappies, white bass, stripers and other species are available virtually year round. It is considered by many to be the best catfish lake in the state.

Multiple marinas and boat launch areas are available to the public. Come visit Truman Lake - bring the whole family and some fishing tackle. For those who enjoy fishing from the bank, there is over 950 miles of shoreline. Those who prefer to fish from a canoe, kayak, bass boat, pontoon or other fishing boats, there is plenty of easy access.

Primary fish species residing in Truman Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Truman Reservoir 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

Long Shoal Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
660 438-2841

Sterett Creek Resort & Marina
Rentals: Bass boats, canoes and pontoon boats
660 438-2280

Truman State Park Marina
Rentals: Bass boats and pontoons
660 438-2423

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Avery Fishing Access Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Road 6, this is a four-lane, gravel ramp with gravel parking.

Bucksaw Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the western arm of the lake, north side, off SE 803 Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Cooper Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the western arm of the lake, south side, off SE 700 Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Crowe's Crossing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, north side, at the north end of the Highway 13 Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Fairfield Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Highway K, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Long Shoal Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Omaha Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Osage Bluff Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Osage Bluff Access Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Osceola Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, south side, off Main Street, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Sparrowfoot Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the western arm of the lake, west side, off SE 450 Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Shawnee Bend Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Shawnee Bend Access Road, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Taley Bend Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, south side, at the east end of the NE State Highway C Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Thibait Point Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, northeast side, off SW 611 BC, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

TT West Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, north side, off W TT Road, this is a two-lane, gravel ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Thorny Ridge Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, in Truman State Park, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Windsor Crossing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, south side, at the south end of the NE Highway PP Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Bucksaw Resort & Marina
670 SE 803 Rd
Clinton, MO 64735
660 477-3900

Long Shoal Marina
12878 Steamboat Rd
Warsaw, MO 65355
660 438-2841

Osage Bluff Marina
17393 Osage Bluff Rd
Warsaw, MO 65355
660 438-2939

Sterett Creek Resort & Marina
18174 Marina Rd
Warsaw, MO 65355
660 438-2280

Truman State Park Marina
Harry S Truman State Park
Warsaw, MO 65355
660 438-2423