Lake Springfield Fishing Prospects From Mdc

[jbooth]

Lake Springfield (Southwest Region) Information: (417) 895-6880 Driving directions: On Highway 65, go west on James River Expressway to National Avenue and turn south. At Briar Street, turn east and continue as Briar becomes Kissick Avenue and tracks south to the dam. Clay Henshaw Memorial Access (on the west side of Lake Springfield) is just past the dam on the left. To reach Southwood Access (on the east side of Lake Springfield just west of the Highway 65 Bridge), take the Evans Road exit off Highway 65; go west on Evans, then north on Southwood. Largemouth bass fishing will be good as the population's size structure has continued to remain relatively consistent since 2003, providing bass in all size ranges. Electrofishing surveys indicate that a good portion of the largemouth bass will be greater than 15 inches. Several largemouth bass will exceed 18 inches. The percentage of bass in the 12 to15-inch protected slot will be similar to 2011, and will continue to provide great catch-and-release fishing opportunities. An abundant population of gizzard shad is providing ample forage, increasing the chances to catch a trophy bass at Lake Springfield. Spotted bass have also been observed in Lake Springfield, and several should be available for harvest. Crappie anglers can continue to expect some fishing success this year. Quality size crappies exist, but are limited in number. White crappie is the dominant crappie species. Several bluegill greater than 6 inches were observed in the 2011 electrofishing surveys, but angling success for bigger bluegill still depends on location as areas that are heavily fished have fewer bluegill greater than 6 inches. The redear sunfish population continues to develop with more and larger redear sunfish being observed in our 2011 sampling efforts. Channel catfish are preferred by many Lake Springfield anglers and should continue to provide excellent fishing. Many 10 to 20-inch channel catfish are present. Favorite baits include nightcrawlers, chicken livers, and prepared dough baits. Anglers also have an opportunity to catch a variety of stream fishes such as golden redhorse suckers, bullheads, common carp, rock bass (goggle-eye), longear sunfish, and green sunfish. Community Assistance Program fishing facilities are available and include a barrier-free fishing jetty, disabled user fishing dock located near the dam, and a boat launching ramp on the east end of the lake. Lake Springfield has a 6-horsepower limit on boat motors. Lake Springfield is also part of the James River Water Trail, and canoes and kayaks are available (seasonally) for rent through the Springfield-Greene County Park Board at Lake Springfield Park.

[Daveinozark]

surprised by the report. Seems like it get fished HARD. I wonder if they do any stocking. There is a ton of shad on that lake, that must be the primary forage