Springfield Lake Help

[Boats n Does]

Hey guys I'm pretty new to Springfield and I've been trying to read around these forums for about a year or so now but I am just having a real hard time trying to find spots at Lake Springfield. Last year I mainly just went up there to catch some cats but I am really trying to find some bank spots to catch bass this year. With the weather getting warm now and then I would like to get out there and do some bass fishing. I see people talking about spots on here a lot but I am unfamiliar with where they are talking about. The only spot I have bass fished is the little cove right before the crossing the darn, I have had some luck there but are there better places to find bass fishing from the shore?

I've explored down at the bottom of the darn trying to find spots to catch catfish last year but the water seems to be about 2ft through that whole stream that runs down from the darn, and trying to tightline there needless to say was a joke with all of the vegetation all over the place in there. I was kind of thinking it could be a decant place to flip for some bass though. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated I would like to get out as soon as we get another warm day here.

Thanks for the time!

[Billyneck]

Your on the most visited cove so far, It lends itself to the minnow forage spinning thru there a lot of times and is a great spot for crappie/bass from Fall to Spring. The hot water outlet currents are warm and spin thru the top basin before the falls. The Spillway(below) is a great fishery especially from Dec. til no water season. It sounds likes cats are still on your menu, but with jigs, all colors, and some minnows, (which you can catch down on the river in the weed beds with a large minnow net or throw net) will produce all the fish you want. A top the lake try in the big bays,(southeast way) I assume your on foot, and throw spinnerbaits,shallow running crkbts and top waters. If nothing is working that well,try throwing a jig/craw set-up with a brush guard. You will be able to attack any nasty looking banks with minimal hang-ups and maximize fish catches. Folks use Spfld. lake as back-up or "I can't afford a trip today to bigger water", or time is a factor, but there are a ton of fish. The slough holds fish all cold season, with a variety of tactics to catch fins. When you have had enough bank fishing, get some waders(check Bass Pro outlet for inexpensive waders) and fish below spillway or invest in a canoe or kayak, and get personal with Spfld. lake. You can rent canoes from the southeastside Boathouse in spring. That one expense to venture out might be worth it. Crappie/bass will be along the bluffs near the walking trail (east/south)side, in April and always keep topwater to chuck at chasing fish all over the place. It is shallow, but (bass) will show up anywhere chasing forage. Good luck!

[Patrick M]

I've fished Lake Springfield many times last summer. I have caught some nice bass along the bluffs east of the Boat house towards the 65 Bridge mainly using crank baits. Is there a place to get minnows in that area around the lake or in Ozark or Nixa?

[Fishinokie1]

I've fished Lake Springfield many times last summer. I have caught some nice bass along the bluffs east of the Boat house towards the 65 Bridge mainly using crank baits. Is there a place to get minnows in that area around the lake or in Ozark or Nixa?

Last year they sold minnows down at the boathouse past the park. I think they were around $2.50/doz or so. I have not found anywhere else to buy them around Ozark or Nixa. The only other place that I know of is up in Springfield.

[Patrick M]

Last year they sold minnows down at the boathouse past the park. I think they were around $2.50/doz or so. I have not found anywhere else to buy them around Ozark or Nixa. The only other place that I know of is up in Springfield.

Which Boathouse past the park. the only one i know of is where Canoes can be rented.

[Fishinokie1]

Which Boathouse past the park. the only one i know of is where Canoes can be rented.

that is the one. last year it was mid-spring before they started selling them though. I don't know if they will sell them again this year. They posted signs up around the warm water outlet last year right before they started selling them. If you find some close to our area, let me know.

[Billyneck]

that is the one. last year it was mid-spring before they started selling them though. I don't know if they will sell them again this year. They posted signs up around the warm water outlet last year right before they started selling them. If you find some close to our area, let me know.

There is a place on Republic Road, west, a mile before FF, that will be selling minnows and says his minnow farmer is solid and supplied them at their store in Willard. Nice folks, it is also a tobacco store with a small hunting/fish sign, they are saying by next week should be into the minnows. The store seemed in order and should be the main supply for minnows for Spfld. lake area.

[Fishinokie1]

There is a place on Republic Road, west, a mile before FF, that will be selling minnows and says his minnow farmer is solid and supplied them at their store in Willard. Nice folks, it is also a tobacco store with a small hunting/fish sign, they are saying by next week should be into the minnows. The store seemed in order and should be the main supply for minnows for Spfld. lake area.

Thanks for the info! Will have to head out there and give them a try.