Ponds Near Bunker

[WHARFRAT]

Back a couple yrs ago when I was a kid or maybe a few decades ago is more like it. There used to be a couple of ponds on hwy 72 just west of Bunker. I remember one was pretty nice area, they had camping facilities and the other was pretty primative but larger than the other. Seemed like we always caught fish out of them. The larger lake was shallower and would moss over most of the surface area, but was really good for crappie and bass. The smaller lake was a good bass lake.

I just cant remember the names or if they are still around. I looked on Google Earth but didnt see anything.

Then there was another decent size lake halfway between Salem and Rolla on Hwy 72, it was real close to the highway. My uncle had permission and we went there a couple of times and caught some really nice bass. My uncle caught a couple of 7+ pounders. If I remember it was owned by union electric or some big name corporation in Missouri.

The last lake I used to fish a lot was a pond out of Cherryville on hwy 19. It was owned by a older couple that had 4 or five boats that you could paddle around in. It was small, but was another really good bass lake. The last time we went there, which was around 1980, they quit lettling people fish because someone didn't close the gate and their cattle got out and they had to chase them.

Pond fishing was a great way the cut your teeth on fishing.

let me know if anyone remembers the names of the two ponds west of Bunker

[jdmidwest]

I know the one near Bunker, Little Scotia Pond. They closed the campground in the round of cutbacks of the Clinton years, but you can still drive back the broken road bed to the ponds but the area is in disrepair. Might even find a meth lab or two.

I used to run that are alot years ago and fished and camped there a few times. Never really did much good.

[fisheye]

Loggers Lake is one of many beautiful facilities built throughout Missouri and Arkansas by the Great Depression–era CCC. Constructed in 1939–40 by CCC Company 1730 from nearby Bunker, Loggers Lake is a clear, blue 25-acre pool surrounded by green-forested hills. The campground at this end-of-the-road hideaway is a peaceful Ozarks retreat. It’s a great place to hike, swim, boat, fish, or simply relax.

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGD115-016

[WHARFRAT]

THATS IT! Thanks, Little Scotia Pond! Then there was Big Scotia not too far from it. Thats the one that we'd paddle a little jon boat out in the middle and catch crappie. We used to camp at Little Scotia with a bunch of people. If I remember it was primative camping. No electric at the time. This was in the 60's. I do remember catching bass in there.

I forgot about Loggers Lake. It had nicer facilites. I think this was where I caught my first big bass as a kid. Did they have a concrete structure in the corner of the dam area? Because thats where I caught it.

There was another lake in that general area. People lived there and would charge you a couple bucks to fish. Plus they raised minnows too.

[jdmidwest]

There are several off of 72 before you get to Salem near the Huzzah. They were part of a big fish hatchery system at one time. Forestry service has taken them over long ago and one has camping there, no privies. I think they are simply called Huzzah Ponds.