Any Info On Mid Sized Lakes Like Lower Tom Sauk, Or Bismarck Ca?

[Haris122]

Did any of you check out either of those lakes or any ones of similar size (30-300 acre lakes) within 2 hours of St. Louis? And if so what did you guys think as far as success fishing, what kind of fish, layout/design of the lake and available fish habitat, and things such as most commonly encountered depths of the lake are concerned. And what types of fishing the lake/lakes is suitable for (i.e. if it's a place like Simpson park lake, that's pretty big but is kind of restricted in the amount of shore that can be bank-fished from, cause there's a lot of steep brush/woody banks, how careful you'd have to be in boat or kayak, etc, regarding structure that might cause damage). I went to Perry County Community Lake a few weeks back with some friends with a boat, and I figured I scout out some other potential spots similar to it, where maybe I can come across more luck than I had on that trip to Perry County Community Lake.

[Jerry Rapp]

Bismarck is a weed fishing lake. Very limited bank fishing. Fishing can be pretty good with your typical weed/lily pad fishing techniques. Frogs, punching mats, etc. Taum Sauk is a hit or miss deal. It can fluctuate 20 feet in a day(or night). Mostly rocky banks, usually semi stained as the fluctuating water from the power plant useage keeps it stirred up. Council Bluff is another conservation lake. It is generally very clear, with quite a bit of weeds, and much deeper than the other lakes. None of them are fish factories by any means, but all can have their moments. All are limited to 10 hp, but bigger outboards can be used at idle speed only. All have adequate boat ramps.

[jdmidwest]

He pretty well knocked it in the head. I have only fished Lower Taum Sauk once since it reopened and it was still silted from the washout. I am sure it will settle back down. Years ago there was some good fishing there. They stocked stripers there for a while back in the 60's, long gone now.

Bismark Lake is shallow and has a few fish. Council Bluff has its moments.

[Haris122]

Sweet, good info guys.I thought of checking out Lower Tom Sauk lake the second time I went down to Johnson Shut-ins, but in the end I just kept on exploring them instead. Sometimes it's just a real rush to go road-trip someplace new and more remote, and if I do catch some fish on top of that, it's all the sweeter.