Fishing Thomas Hill Reservoir

AKA: Thomas Hill Lake

Popular Fish Species
Thomas Hill Reservoir Fishing Video
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Thomas Hill Reservoir, MO

Popular Fish Species Thomas Hill Reservoir, MO

Thomas Hill Reservoir Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Excellent fisheries management by the Missouri Department of Conservation has maintained a quality bass fishery for some time now in Thomas Hill Reservoir. The lake also has a nice population of larger bass which can give anglers a thrill on any cast. This fertile lake also offers sufficient 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 Thomas Hill Reservoir on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Thomas Hill Reservoir Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

Thomas Hill Reservoir has both black and white crappie available to locals and visitors alike. Both species school together, so when you locate a school of 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. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Thomas Hill Reservoir Popular Fish - Hybrid Striped Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass Fishing

Hybrid striped bass, locally known as wipers, are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Thomas Hill Reservoir. Good fishery management and stockings have ensured they are plentiful, and grow to bragging size. As a hybrid of striped bass and white bass, they have great potential for spawning massive numbers and growing to large sizes. Fishing for hybrid stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and schools of hybrid striped bass are likely to be in the area. Mornings, during Fall, hybrids can be caught on topwater or shallow running lures, as they are feeding on baitfish at the surface. When they move deeper, fish finders improve your odds of locating both bait and schools of wipers. Live bait, spoons and jigs are very very effective here, and these hungry fish can be caught year round.

Thomas Hill Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie and hybrid striped bass at Thomas Hill Reservoir in Missouri.

As a result of the warm-water discharge from the power plant, Thomas Hill Reservoir is a unique, year-round fishery. This 4,500-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, 8 miles north of Clifton Hill, provides anglers with several popular species to pursue.

Largemouth bass is one of the most sought-after fish species here. Channel and flathead catfish are also popular targets for anglers. Both black and white crappie are abundant in the reservoir and provide exciting fishing. Another notable species in Thomas Hill Reservoir is the hybrid striped bass.

White crappie thrive in the warm water and are a favorite target of locals. In winter hybrid striped bass become the number one target. Catfish and bass also reside here, and provide some excellent fishing outings. When the weather turns cold, anglers concentrate around the warm water from the plant. During summer bass and crappie fishermen concentrate on the submerged brush piles, trees and vegetation scattered around the lake. Also fishing around the many boat docks can be productive. Anglers wishing to fish from the bank can use the jetty at the north end of the lake or a hand full of areas with access to the shoreline around the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Thomas Hill Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Thomas Hill Reservoir Amenities

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

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

1177 Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 1177 Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

1180 Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off 1180 Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Glider Avenue Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Glider Avenue, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.