Never Fished Taneycomo Before

[Big Brown Trout]

So I am planning to fish at Taneycomo next weekend with my wife, but I have never been there. Are there a lot of public access spots? Also we would like to catch and keep trout, with the slot limit on rainbows and the limit on browns is there really any opportunity for this?

[Feathers and Fins]

Yes and Yes.

Depends on generation is how easy bank access is typically even with generation it can be fished just takes more work. As far as catching and keeping goes there are plenty of trout but you will get looked at very strange if you keep them in the dam area and you keep a Brown you will only wish it was a Missouri Small mouth them trout guys are as crazy about the browns as the smallie guys are. For a first time trip get a guide Like Bill Babler or one of Lillies Landings. Or make the trip and just enjoy exploring but Later in the year get Duane Doty to guide you in the top section.

[chambug]

Go for it!!!

Taney is among the best trout locations in the US.

Fly fishing?

I'd bet you get your six to eat, and 12 if the wife fishes.

I've never caught less than 25 Rainbows per day, and usually a few Browns, but only seldom a 20 incher.

The guide idea is good if you can afford them, but i just go below the dam, south of the hatchery very early in the am and late pm.

Do it like you want to....and keep it legal.

The shop at Lilleys is a good place to visit when you first arrive.

[chambug]

I guess this is as good a place as any to share some appreciation to many that i have met at Taneycomo. I have enjoyed fishing with dozens of men and women in the area below the dam at the No. 1 outlet below the hatchery.

My most notable mis-hap was on a cold day when my hands lost most of their feeling. I was wading about twenty feet off the bank when I hooked a good brown that literally jerked the rod out of my cold fingers. I staggeringly chased the fleeing rod for about 20 feet, lunging to my knees to barely reach the butt of my rod. Luckily, my waders did not dip, and I scrambled back to my feet, but in the process, a slack line let the brown spit my Chambug lure out. About a dozen fly fishermen got a good laugh, but most inquired about my possible need for help.

My health challenges have prevented me from visiting Taney the last couple of years, but this ol' Texas fly nut will not forget the pleasures my family and i have enjoyed there.

I especially want to thank the Lilley family and their employees. Lilley's Landing has always been our "home on Taney" and every occasion has been a pleasant experience.

To all my trout buddies: God bless you and yours!

chambug

[Big Brown Trout]

Yes and Yes.

As far as catching and keeping goes there are plenty of trout but you will get looked at very strange if you keep them in the dam area

i'm used to getting weird looks anyway (on the water and off)

I hope we will get to fish here. really would like to get into some big browns and bows.

I know a lot of fly fishers really push around the catch and release thing hard. I only keep b/c my wife and I eat them for health reasons.

(plus I'm not totally convinced its good for the fish as I see a lot of c/r fish die right after)

[Feathers and Fins]

Big Brown season is more toward October, might be a few 15 to 20'' fish running around right now but they are few and far between and don't forget the size limit on them and possession limit. Rainbows are very numerous but again size restriction must be followed and Taney can be hard for some people to understand Phil has a good information thread on here.

Taney is also an interesting body of water I have seen very few c&r fish have issues dyeing after being caught, I don't have a problem with people keeping their legal limit it is a put and take fishery and it is what the trout are there for.

[laker67]

Here we go again on that thing about all them fish dying from catch and release. Honestly, I see alot more dead fish hanging from a stringer. You can defend your catch and keep methods all you want, but keep one thing in mind. It is just as legal for me to turn them fish loose, as it is for you to string em up.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I would go to Lilley's landing and rent a boat, then fish what the recommend. Taney is over 20 miles long and you don't have to fish the slot area. In fact the waters close to Lilley's can be very productive and a half day rental can give you lots of fishing time.

[Gatorjet]

"I'd bet you get your six to eat, and 12 if the wife fishes." ???

What rules are you looking at? The trout limit is 4 daily, and 8 total possession. Where the heck did you get SIX?

[Gatorjet]

"So I am planning to fish at Taneycomo next weekend with my wife, but I have never been there. Are there a lot of public access spots? Also we would like to catch and keep trout, with the slot limit on rainbows and the limit on browns is there really any opportunity for this?"

There are public fishing docks on Taneycomo. A really nice one at the Cooper Creek Conservation ramp. Another just up lake from Branson Landing.

The slot limit for rainbow trout is only in the trophy area above Fall Creek. There is a lake wide 20" minimum length on brown trout.

The daily limit is four trout, with only one being a Brown. The posession limit (off the lake) is eight so you can take two daily limits home with you if you want to. That is per person.

Most fishermen at the public use areas keep their legal cattch, and most use bait. Night crawlers, or powerbait. Those are also illegal in the trophy area from Table Rock dam to Fall Creek.

If keeping your catch is important, don't even bother going up to the dam.

This information is based on the assumption you don't have, or don't want to rent a boat.

Lots more options, and opportunities when you are on the lake rather than on the bank.