39 public waters in the Central region — 13 lakes/reservoirs and 26 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Missouri licence.
See every public fishing venue in Missouri on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Lake of the Ozarks (55,000 ac) on the Osage River — the 'Magic Dragon', 1,150 miles of shoreline. A nationally-known largemouth and Spotted Bass lake with a huge Crappie fishery, White Bass and stocked hybrids, Bluegill, and trophy blue and Flathead Catfish, plus a growing Paddlefish snagging fishery on the upper Osage arm. Heavily developed, heavily fished.
Truman Lake (55,000 ac) on the Osage near Warsaw — Missouri's Crappie factory and one of the best white-bass and hybrid-striped-bass lakes in the state, plus largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Bluegill, and trophy blue and Flathead Catfish. Timber-filled arms up the Osage, Sac, Pomme de Terre, Tebo and South Grand. Paddlefish snagging in spring.
In Benton County, Missouri, Truman Lake Tailwaters is a 150-acre lake, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody). Truman Lake (55,000 ac on the Osage) or Stockton Lake (25,000 ac on the Sac) — big, timber-and-brush Corps reservoirs in west-central Missouri. Truman is a nationally-ranked Crappie and white-bass lake; Stockton is Missouri's premier Walleye and sailboat lake. Both hold largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and channel, blue and Flathead Catfish, and Truman has a Paddlefish snagging season.
Junges Lake (41 acres) sits in Benton County, Missouri, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody). Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Benton County, Missouri — Moss Lake is a 30-acre lake, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody): Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Timberline Lake, a 19-acre lake in Benton County, Missouri, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody): Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Benton County, Missouri, Big Buffalo Creek CA (Big Buffalo Lake) is a 6-acre lake, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody). A lake on a Missouri Department of Conservation area — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, managed for quality with length limits on many. Boat access is usually electric-motor-only or car-top; a few allow small outboards.
In Benton County, Missouri, Mora CA (Pond 1) is a 2-acre lake, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody). A lake on a Missouri Department of Conservation area — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, managed for quality with length limits on many. Boat access is usually electric-motor-only or car-top; a few allow small outboards.
In Benton County, Missouri, Big Buffalo Creek CA (Heron Lake) is a 2-acre lake, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody). A lake on a Missouri Department of Conservation area — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, managed for quality with length limits on many. Boat access is usually electric-motor-only or car-top; a few allow small outboards.
Hi Lonesome Prairie CA (Pond 4) (1 acres) sits in Benton County, Missouri, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody). A lake on a Missouri Department of Conservation area — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, managed for quality with length limits on many. Boat access is usually electric-motor-only or car-top; a few allow small outboards.
Hi Lonesome Prairie CA (Pond 3) (1 acres) sits in Benton County, Missouri, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody). A lake on a Missouri Department of Conservation area — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, managed for quality with length limits on many. Boat access is usually electric-motor-only or car-top; a few allow small outboards.
Hi Lonesome Prairie CA (Pond 2), a 1-acre lake in Benton County, Missouri, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody): A lake on a Missouri Department of Conservation area — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, managed for quality with length limits on many. Boat access is usually electric-motor-only or car-top; a few allow small outboards.
Lost Valley Fish Hatchery (Kids Fishing Pond), a 1-acre lake in Benton County, Missouri, managed by Missouri Department of Conservation (managed public waterbody): A lake on a Missouri Department of Conservation area — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, managed for quality with length limits on many. Boat access is usually electric-motor-only or car-top; a few allow small outboards.
Camden, St. Clair, Miller and 3 more counties in Missouri — Osage River is a 448 km stream: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Pomme de Terre River runs 152 km through Polk, Hickory, Benton and 3 more counties in Missouri: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Pettis, Morgan and Benton Counties, Missouri, Flat Creek is a 45 km river or creek. An Ozark smallmouth stream (the upper Gasconade, Big Piney, the Meramec headwaters, Big Sugar and Elk River, the upper Osage Fork, Bryant Creek) — clear, gravel-and-bluff water with wild Smallmouth Bass ('brown bass'), spotted and Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass ('Goggle-Eye'), and Longear Sunfish. Missouri has designated Smallmouth Bass Special Management Areas on many.
Hogles Creek (56 km) flows through Hickory, Benton and St. Clair Counties, Missouri. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Hickory and Benton Counties, Missouri — Little Pomme de Terre River is a 12 km stream: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Haw Creek runs 22 km through Morgan and Benton Counties, Missouri: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Benton County, Missouri, Cole Camp Creek is a 24 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Henry, Benton and Pettis Counties, Missouri, Barker Creek is a 11 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Benton and Henry Counties, Missouri, Brush Creek is a 25 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Pettis, Benton and Morgan Counties, Missouri, Lake Creek is a 29 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Pettis and Benton Counties, Missouri — Spring Fork is a 16 km stream: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Deer Creek (5 km) flows through Benton and Camden Counties, Missouri. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Williams Creek runs 13 km through Benton County, Missouri: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Pettis and Benton Counties, Missouri — Henry Creek is a 13 km stream: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
South Flat Creek (11 km) flows through Pettis and Benton Counties, Missouri. An Ozark smallmouth stream (the upper Gasconade, Big Piney, the Meramec headwaters, Big Sugar and Elk River, the upper Osage Fork, Bryant Creek) — clear, gravel-and-bluff water with wild Smallmouth Bass ('brown bass'), spotted and Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass ('Goggle-Eye'), and Longear Sunfish. Missouri has designated Smallmouth Bass Special Management Areas on many.
In Benton County, Missouri, Little Tebo Creek is a 10 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Benton and Pettis Counties, Missouri, Cheese Creek is a 11 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Duran Creek runs 10 km through Benton County, Missouri: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Morgan and Benton Counties, Missouri, Big Buffalo Creek is a 4 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Duck Creek (12 km) flows through Benton and Henry Counties, Missouri. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Benton County, Missouri — Carman Creek is a 9 km stream: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Camden and Benton Counties, Missouri, Rainy Creek is a 9 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
In Benton County, Missouri, Bauer Branch is a 9 km river or creek. A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Benton County, Missouri — Whig Creek is a 9 km stream: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Ross Creek runs 7 km through Benton County, Missouri: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Benton County, Missouri — P D Creek is a 8 km stream: A warmwater Missouri river or large creek — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Longear Sunfish, and White Bass on the bigger ones. Wade or float; access at MDC river accesses and bridges.
Across its mapped waters, Benton County holds 22 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Flathead Catfish, White Bass and Longear Sunfish.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Missouri map Join PiscaMapsOne Missouri Department of Conservation fishing permit covers every public water in the state, the Corps and MDC reservoirs included — the resident annual is about $13, the non-resident annual about $52, with 1-day and 3-day permits sold. A ~$10 trout permit is required to fish for or keep trout in addition to the fishing permit (a 1-day permit alone is enough for that day), and the four trout parks charge a separate daily trout tag. Missouri residents 65 and older, and anyone 15 or under, need no fishing permit. Buy at mdc.mo.gov.