Upper Table Rock

[CPDG]

The wife and I have finally started to look for a place on the lake. I really like the upper end best because of the relative quiet, but one of the considerations on where to buy is the fishing. I guess I want someone's take on the overall fishing outlook on the upper part of the lake throughout the year. Say around the Eagle Rock area. Shell Knob is about the farthest down I would want to look for a place. Thanks in advance!

[Feathers and Fins]

The best advice I could give you is Search the site for RPS post, Quillback post, and Bill Bablers post. Those three guys post will give you more than enough reading material on the lake with RPS and Quillback heavily fishing the upper end.

For my own perspective, I love the upper end but I target mostly the White River Arm for Walleye and the rare Striper. It is a very quiet area from November to about May 1st and beautiful. Also is always the possibility of catching some nice trout and bass.

[trytofish]

My Uncle lives on the upper Kings, just north of Carr Lane, He can get to about 75% of the lake in less than 30 minutes by land. Works real well for fishing several different sections of the lake. Don't tell him I told you though, or I like you would probably looking for a place too!

[fishingaddiction]

My wife and I have a second home in the mid lake area between Lampe and Baxter. I do most of my fishing around the KC area, and have found it to be very productive throughout the year. Like trytofish mentioned above I can put the boat on the trailer and get to any part of the lake in 30 minutes or less. I can also run by boat up or down lake several miles and have tons of good fishing. The area is very quite, and not over developed. The lake can have more boat traffic than I prefer during the summer months, but not during the spring, fall and winter.

It sure is nice to have only a 10 minute drive to KC, and about 30 minutes to Branson.

[Quillback]

I like the upper end, I'm not going to say it's the best fishing on Table Rock, but there's a healthy bass population and you can catch them all year long. More of a numbers fishery than a big fish fishery, but there are good sized bass in the area. Good walleye fishing, relatively speaking, read RPS posts for some insight. I'd be happy to answer (or at least attempt to answer ) any specific questions you have, feel free to PM me.

[CPDG]

Thanks a lot guys! I guess I just wanted someone to hold my hand and tell me it's not terrible fishing. I'm sure it has its tough periods of the year but I can be content just catching a couple every few outings when times are tough. I'm pretty pumped, having a place on Table Rock is something I've wanted for a long time. I guess I'll have the rest of my life to learn to fish it. Thanks again!

[Ranger Z22]

Before we found the home we are now living, it took a good 2 years (not full time was still working), to find something we liked. It is not as easy as I thought it would be, as far as how close to the grocery store, hardware etc.

You see something on a website, go to the house, and you cannot believe your eyes not even close to the picture!

It is though your decision and I suggest you get what you want.

One thing after we bought this house my friends wanted to know how many bedrooms we had, my reply was 2. They said how come? Told them could not find a house we liked with one, ( not motel 6)

z22

[rps]

Hello CPDG!

I live in Holiday Island, barely in Arkansas. I have my boat at the marina there and I fish from Houseman, way up the White in trout water, to as far down lake as Viney Creek. My wife and I moved here in time for the 2002-2003 school year. In that time I have learned the lake and learned to enjoy its many fishing options. Yes, it took a while to learn, but since I began I have had fishing days beyond belief. Highlights include a 13.75 pound walleye, a 8.5+ largemouth, a 7+ pound brown trout, and a nearly 4 pound meanmouth. Right now I would call the area a buyers market.

I hope you find your dream.

[gitnby]

Obviously, fishing is only one of the considerations as you mentioned. But, remember that you can drag your boat anywhere that the fishing is good, but it's kinda tough to move the house!

Find a place that you like, and maybe is near the other things that are important to you.

And, make sure you get a good, thorough home inspection, and a separate septic inspection if not on city sewer!

[Billfo]

Oh yes, do I have some advice for you... LOL !!! We bought west of Baxter Marina. DO NOT BELIEVE the real estate agent ! Mine told me many many misinformations. Things like "home sales with available "3rd party dock" ? or This is a perfect lot to put your own private dock right in your back yard !!! I chose to buy with my own slip within golf cart distance from my house. Taxes.. Check where the property & tax levys change. Save lots of money there. My yearly tax bill is less than one months house payment ! IF you have a crawl space & you probably will- GET UNDER THERE & LOOK FOR MOLD in the overhead insulation ! While in the crawlspace check for asbestos ductwork. (like I had).Get a radon test. Also check the corp take line. Check the elevation of the ground at your home in relation to the flood line of the last flood. Again, dont believe everything the agent tells you..Not saying they will lie to you, but they may or may not have all the correct information. Depending where you are from........remember regulations- inspections- about anything legal will most likely be slightly laxed depending where you buy. (dont ask how I know this- insert that about anywhere above).. Contractors ? Dont get me started on that.. There are a few that give all the good ones a bad name- just like everywhere.I got extremely lucky on a few things I just as easily could have gotten screwed on.

OH before I forget- I know someone that bought on a cove with the dock at the mouth of the cove. He had a nice water view of the back of the cove.. UNTIL WINTER when the water level goes down & there was NO WATER behind his house...

Good luck..Buy while its cheap.. The area is comming back. There are busnisses comming back, new construction is picking up. The property values should start climbing again soon. The local people are the best !!!

& invite me to a cook out when your settled in !!!!

If I can be of any help, let me know...

* Around the Baxter area, outside of summer vacation people- it would not be uncommon to only see 3-4 other boats all day. I made this youtube video to show how quiet the lake can be...