Weldon Springs Lakes

[WHARFRAT]

I was just wondering if anyone fishes any of the lakes in weldon springs besides all the ones in Busch Wildlife area. I used to fish Prairie Lake years and years ago. Never really did that well. Would like to put a little boat in there to fish but I don't think you can. I was just wondering about Fire Lake which is right before the turnoff for Buschs. There are also 4 or 5 smaller lakes and ponds near there. Also has anyone ever fished the sloughs by the Katie Trail access a couple miles down 94. I like to target crappie and panfish, not much for catfish or rough fish. I've walked into a couple of ponds near the lost valley trail with some success, but mainly sunfish, and a few small bass. Fire Lake kind of intrigues me, I duck hunted on there before and I know it drops off pretty quick from the bank, so I would think it would hold some decent fish, just not sure what kind. Those other lakes/ponds east of there seem dead. Not sure if it's worth the hike. Any info would be appreciated.

[stlfisher]

I have fished Fire lake for bass about 5 or 6 times. Always, caught a decent amount but most are pretty small in the 12-14 inch range. It is good lake to catch some Bluegill on a fly rod as well. I actually think the lake itself is kinda shallow, but I could be wrong.

I fished Praire Lake as a kid and once ran into my grade school gym teacher who had two bass over 6 lb's. Caught some nice Catfish as a kid and my dad had his pole and holder yanked out of the ground and into the lake. As a kid my neighbor lost pole as well. He actually cast his line and when he went to change hands the pole just dissapeared into the lake. Probably onc of funniest things I have seen fishing. I fished Praire Lake once a few years ago, but it is my understanding there is a leak in the lake and the water is quite low. It appeared that way when I tried it. My bet is there is still a decent amount of water, but it might be difficult to get to the actual water and it was getting bit overgrown where the water level use to be. The bonus is I bet no one fishes it...might be worth a look...if you can hack your way down to it. I am almost positive you can't take your boat out on that lake....even if you could find a way launch it.

I have fished the Slough maybe once years ago, but haven't been back recently. My old neighbor use to always fish for carp and catfish and catch some monsters. He mentioned catching some nice bass on occasion, but I do think it holds more rough fish. This was a long time ago so I don't know much about the area now, but it has crossed my mind from time to time.

Hope this helps a bit and sorry for rambling...kinda took me down memory lane a bit.

[BredMan]

Kind of late on this subject but I was approached by a gentleman in the BPS parking lot 3-4 weeks ago who asked me to sign a petition to have the MDC add a concrete ramp on Prairie Lake for small boat access. Honestly I had forgotten about Prairie Lake and haven't fished there for many years. He said the lake is fishable but very over populated with small crappie. Occasionally you catch something of some size. I thought about giving it a try this spring with a fly rod (small jigs and poppers). I haven't been out there yet to see what things are like now. One thing for sure, if it is overgrown the ticks will be extremely bad and not worthy to me.

[moguy1973]

It kind of stinks you can't put a small boat, kayak, or canoe in Prairie because it's kind of big to fish from the bank and be able to get to all the water.

[Chris Barclay]

Is Prarie Lake the one with the two jettys? If so, I stopped by last week to take a look. It seems like a good one.

[WHARFRAT]

Prairie Lake is by the commuter parking lot @ 40 and 94. Good size lake. Did stop by Fire Lake a couple of weeks ago. Threw a little 1/16oz blk/chart, grub, did manage about a 13" bass, but nothing else. Walked up one of the paths and found a little pond surrounded by woods. It looked pretty low, and there was a wood duck box on it. Caught a bunch of little bass, nothing over 10". I did see a pretty good size carp in there.

I think the last time I fished Prairie was when they used to close Busch's down for the winter, so that's been quite a few years ago. Might give it a walk around here soon.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I used to fish on the slough Off of DD at a bridge. We would park on the side of the road and walk down to the slough, walk up a bit and fish around the bend. Some channel cat, white carp and a northern hog sucker were caught. Wasn't bad. Never used plastics in those days, just night crawlers. Now they have a no parking sign on the shoulders of that bridge. Being compliant, I have not been back.

[eric1978]

I called about Prairie Lake a year or so ago and inquired about the boat thing. No go. Would be nice to be able to drop the canoe in a local lake around here...I know of none. I wish you could put your canoe in the BW lakes, too. I'd go out there a lot more often if you could...a lot more often than never, that is, which is how often I go now. Overcrowded, overfished sinkholes. But with a canoe you could access some of the lakes no one fishes or only fishes one bank of.

[stlfisher]

Out of curiosity I made the short drive to Prairie Lake during my lunch hour. Looks better than last time I was there and certainly accessable. Might just be a winter thing, but it looks like some of the vegation had been cut along the bank. Looked a bit dingy, but might be worth a shot.

[moguy1973]

I called about Prairie Lake a year or so ago and inquired about the boat thing. No go. Would be nice to be able to drop the canoe in a local lake around here...I know of none. I wish you could put your canoe in the BW lakes, too. I'd go out there a lot more often if you could...a lot more often than never, that is, which is how often I go now. Overcrowded, overfished sinkholes. But with a canoe you could access some of the lakes no one fishes or only fishes one bank of.

You can put in boats at Simpson Park, Unger Park, and Creve Couer. All allow electric motors too...