I can only say keep at it. I am south of you in Festus. I haven't been able to get to the creeks, my local pond has a dock I can fish off of, and my only catch was on new years day. Busch's has a great reputation, but I've never really left there feeling like I made a great decision to make the drive. I prefer streams to lakes anyhow.
Keep your head up, we have a few members out your way, and west along I-44 They may have additional information.