Personal Kayaks Ok?

[FisherCouple]

I'm new to the O'Fallon, MO, area...seasoned fisherman, but trying to find out some of the better areas I can hit on short notice coming out of the Winghaven area. I wondered if your own kayaks can be used on the lakes over at AB Conservation Area, or if you could only fish from the banks unless you rented one of their boats? Would love to get some feedback and thanks in advance.

[Chris Barclay]

My understanding is that private boats are not allowed there.

[moguy1973]

Yeah unfortunately the only watercraft allowed at Busch Wildlife are the ones they rent for certain lakes.

[FisherCouple]

Thanks for the feedback guys....any other good fishing near O'Fallon where I could use my kayak? River or Lake?

[Chris Barclay]

You'll have to check to make sure but I think you can use your own boat on the Weldon Springs lakes.

[mjk86]

BW is a pretty nice fishery, lots and lots of dink bass, but also a healthy number of 18"+ fish too, lake 33 and 35 are best. Crappie are pretty good too. Also cats/trout are stocked in a put and take style in certain lakes. Boats are only 5$ to rent, but have your own battery/trolling motor. They rent batteries/motors too (dont know the price though).

[moguy1973]

You'll have to check to make sure but I think you can use your own boat on the Weldon Springs lakes.

While I don't see any regulation saying that a small personal watercraft is not allowed at these lakes, I would call to see if it is allowed. The MDC website is very vague on whether it's permitted or not.

Open for public use from 4 a.m. To 10 p.m.; hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, dog training, launching and landing boats is allowed 24 hours a day on areas where these activities are permitted.

[WHARFRAT]

Last year was the first time I saw Kayaks on one of the lakes. I wasn't sure if they changed any regulations or not. When I got back to the outpost, I asked if you could bring in a small kayak or float tube and they said no. I think the same thing holds true for Prairie Lake. No watercraft allowed.

I have seen some people on Kayaks on the sloughs on the lower part of Weldon Springs where we dove hunt.

[Greasy B]

Prairie lake is on the Weldon spring area and it may be permissible to have a private boat on it. Not sure you would need it though it's a pretty small lake. I haven't seen it in a long time but it looked to be leaking or drying up a few years back.

The folks who rent the boats are nice people and do a pretty good job of policing for fishermen who fish out unlocked boats or who bring in their own. Other than being clunky and dirty the $5.00 john boat rentals are a bargin.

[FisherCouple]

Once again, thanks for all the information...will definitely take check into some of the things that have been mentioned.