Decent Water Clarity?

[Corb90]

Does anyone know of any lake, river or creek close to or in St. Louis county with some decent water clarity? I primarily Fly Fish and would really like to find some place closer to home that has an opportunity to sight fish. Its frustrating going to lakes with the water clarity worse than old toilet water (before you flush) and not being able to actually see fish, see the strike, observe the interest in the fly, or even be able to tell the depth of the water. I know it is probably a lot to ask for living in a place like St. Louis but one has to think that theres gotta be SOMEWHERE around here like that. I'm about to start a really intense paramedic program and wont have time to drive an hour and a half to the Meramec at the drop of a hat anymore but I cant just not fish. That's crazy talk. And I'm not keying in on just bass either. Any and all help is appreciated.

[Ozark Sweetwater]

I don't know of any certain body of water but I'm sure there are great spots to sight fish for some carp. I would look at the lakes on google earth and locate some flats or just explore some nearby streams. The carp should be active on the sunny days especially with the water temps slowly starting to rise. Good luck!

[Jerry Rapp]

Eads Bridge? Good luck in your quest, tit will be a challenge.

[E Green]

What about the stretch of river that runs through st Francois state park on highway 67. 35 minute drive from saint Louis.

[moguy1973]

Depending on the weather and how much rain we get Des Peres Park lake gets pretty clear in the summer. And it's full of bluegill and even a quite a bit of 10-12" bass that would be way more than willing to come up and smack a foam hopper or ant...

[Old plug]

I know of at least one duplex development in St Charles near hwy K that has a bice lake that is rarely fished but they will allow it. some of the sloughs above St Louis are Ok as well. Them there are golf course lakes. rarely muddy.

[joeD]

Do not mistake water clarity for fishing success and/or opportunity.

Your question is too vague for any kind of effective and helpful answer. There is a lack of information as to where you live, how far you want to travel, skill level, desire to be successful, etc.

In other words, be specific, otherwise, rig your rod and go fishing wherever and whenever you want. You'll learn much more than anything we can give you. Figure it out.

[Corb90]

Thanks for the responses. And yeah I know water clarity has nothing to do with catching fish but as I stated before...as someone who ties flies it'd be real nice to see the reaction fish have when it passes by them. Blind casting gets old and even when you don't catch anything, being able to see the fish in the water and pursue them makes it feel more productive. I have thought about golf course ponds but am unsure about which ones allow fishing and which don't. Tappawingo looks like it could be nice...has anyone fished there at all? And old plug, are you talking about the duplex complex with the three lakes and the main one being the one with the fountain?

[Old plug]

Not sure if its the same one. My sister in law lives there and its in back of her condo. thats the only one I know about. There might be more. Its a big square lake

[Muddler4]

It will be some long days of hard work and few casts if you want to only sight fish around St. Louis but of course sometimes fate will put one or more right in your sight. With all the clay in the area a lot of places become glorified mud puddles any time it rains so it really boils down to hitting a lake or pond on the right day with the right water level, sunlight, and clarity. If you want to sight / stalk and put a fly on their nose, probably the best bet for that around here is carp. If you see them mudding, eating cotton seed or mulberries you don’t even need water clarity for that, just some patience, stealth, and good angle on the surface. Busch has some surprisingly clear lakes (most of the winter trout lakes) along with the mud puddles. Don’t discount the city and county parks. I’ve had days when I giggled like a little kid watching bass emerge from a weed bed repeatedly in plain sight to take a fly but all the variables have to come together. That's not really sight fishing (picking out a specific fish and casting to it). So I can’t offer any short cuts, you’ll have to scout what’s in your area and learn the effects of recent precipitation and drainage.