Fishing Atkinson Lake

AKA: Atkinson Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Atkinson Lake Fishing Video
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Popular Fish Species Atkinson Lake, MO

Atkinson Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Atkinson Lake is considered a good bass fishing lake by locals and tournament anglers alike. While fishing success can vary day to day, overall it's a good bass lake. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Bass typically 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.

Atkinson Lake Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

To fish for catfish on Atkinson Lake, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. 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. Atkinson Lake has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 1 to 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. 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

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Atkinson Lake. 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.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, white crappie and white bass at Atkinson Lake in Missouri.

Atkinson Lake Fishing Video

Atkinson Lake, located in the state of Missouri, offers a fantastic fishing experience for anglers of all skill levels. The lake is renowned for its diverse fish population and provides ample opportunities to catch various species. Among the popular fish species in Atkinson Lake are largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, white crappie, and white bass.

Largemouth bass are a prized catch in Atkinson Lake, known for their aggressive strikes and strong fights. Anglers can target these bass using a variety of techniques, such as casting with topwater lures, working plastic worms or jigs along the weed lines, or trolling with crankbaits. The lake's structure and vegetation provide excellent habitat for largemouth bass, making it an ideal spot to reel in these prized game fish.

Catfish enthusiasts will also find plenty of action at Atkinson Lake. The lake is home to channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish, offering anglers the chance to land some impressive specimens. Catfish can be targeted using a variety of baits, including live or cut bait, stink baits, or chicken livers. The lake's deep holes, rocky shorelines, and submerged structures provide favorable habitats for catfish, making it an exciting destination for catfish anglers.

White crappie and white bass are also abundant in Atkinson Lake. Anglers can target white crappie using jigs, small minnows, or crappie nibbles around submerged structures, brush piles, or drop-offs. White bass, known for their schooling behavior, can be targeted using small crankbaits, jigs, or spinners near the lake's points, flats, or rocky shorelines. Anglers can enjoy the fast-paced action and the opportunity to catch a nice stringer of these popular panfish species.

As part of the Schell-Osage Conservation Area, Atkinson Lake is a 450-acre lake in the west-central part of the state at Schell City, MO. The dominant species in the lake is channel catfish. Other catfish, bass, crappie and sunfish also reside here. Kayaks, canoes and small fishing boats are plenty for this relatively small body of water. There are several places around the lake affording access to shoreline fishing. The lake has a considerable number of trees, brush and stumps as cover for the fish populations.

Primary fish species residing in Atkinson Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Atkinson Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: GRAVEL
Campgrounds: NO
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: NO
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: NEARBY

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