Guide To Excellent Striped Bass & Hybrid Striper Fishing In Missouri

Striped Bass Lakes

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams become the ideal spawning grounds for stripers. Landlocked stripers then populate the lakes.

Missouri offers exciting opportunities for striped bass fishing, particularly with the presence of hybrid stripers. Hybrid stripers, a crossbreed between white bass and striped bass, exhibit the size and fighting spirit of their striped bass parentage while also adapting well to different environments. They are popular among anglers for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights.

Several major lakes in Missouri provide excellent habitats for striped bass and hybrid stripers. Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, and Bull Shoals Lake are renowned destinations for striped bass fishing. These lakes feature deep water, ample forage, and suitable temperatures, creating ideal conditions for striped bass and hybrid stripers to thrive.

Lake of the Ozarks, one of the largest reservoirs in Missouri, boasts a robust population of hybrid stripers. Anglers can target them by trolling deep-diving crankbaits, casting swimbaits, or using live bait such as shad or large minnows. The lake's extensive shoreline and deep channels offer ample opportunities to locate and catch these hard-fighting fish.

Truman Lake is another notable lake for striped bass and hybrid striper fishing in Missouri. Anglers can find success by targeting areas near submerged structure, points, and creek channels. Trolling with umbrella rigs, casting topwater lures, or using live bait can entice these powerful fish. Truman Lake's hybrid striper population provides anglers with thrilling experiences and the chance to land trophy-sized fish.

Bull Shoals Lake, located on the Missouri-Arkansas border, is renowned for its striped bass fishery. The lake offers excellent opportunities to catch trophy-sized striped bass and hybrid stripers. Anglers often target them in deep water near submerged timber, points, and drop-offs. Trolling with large swimbaits or using live bait such as shad can yield successful catches. Bull Shoals Lake's striped bass fishery attracts anglers from far and wide, with the potential to break state records.

Missouri has several impressive state records for striped bass and hybrid stripers. The current state record for striped bass is an impressive fish weighing over 65 pounds, caught in Bull Shoals Lake. For hybrid stripers, the state record stands at over 21 pounds, caught in Lake of the Ozarks. These records showcase the trophy potential and the allure of striped bass and hybrid striper fishing in Missouri.

Anglers seeking the thrill of battling strong and elusive striped bass or hybrid stripers will find Missouri's major lakes to be prime destinations. With their ample forage base, suitable habitats, and experienced fishery management, these lakes provide opportunities for memorable catches and the chance to reel in trophy-sized fish. Missouri's striped bass and hybrid striper fishing experiences are sure to captivate anglers of all skill levels.

Major MO lakes with populations of striped bass

nclude Atkinson Lake, Blue Springs Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Lake of The Ozarks (hybrid striped bass), Long Branch Lake, Table Rock Lake and Thomas Hill Reservoir.

Click the images and links above for species details.

The state record striped bass was caught from Bull Shoals Lake.

The state record hybrid striper was caught from Lake of the Ozarks.

Fishing for Stripers in Missouri

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check Missouri fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill try large topwater baits if you see any surface feeding action. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes.

Striper Fishing Video

Learn the basics for catching striped bass.

Striped bass fishing information, by state.