Thousand Hills State Park

[ozark trout fisher]

Okay, I've decided to head up to Thousand Hills SP on a total spur of the moment camping/fishing trip tomorrow and Wednesday. Anyone fished up there in Forest Lake? To avoid the trouble of hauling mine up I'm planning on renting a boat from the marina at least for Wednesday, and just doing some bank fishing tomorrow evening after I get up there.

Edit: checked rates at Marina. In totally unrelated news, I will be bank fishing.

[ozark trout fisher]

Just got back. Very, very nice state park and lake that is. Bank fishing was largely unsuccessful, but when I finally sprung for a rental kayak and fished out past the weedlines and along a couple of main-lake points, I got into some good fishing. Bass, crappie, and bluegill were all hooked into. A nice time in general and I really want to go back when I have more time to really explore.

[Richline2258]

Good report! Have you fished at Hazel Creek any? I will be going up to Kirksville soon to fish Hazel Creek and possibly Thousand Hills. Any idea of the structure and if there is any timber in Thousand Hills? Hazel Creek looks good from the bank, with lots of timber and lily pads to throw a frog around for some good bass! I've also heard of Forrest lake but haven't done much research on it. I'm planning a 3 or 4 day weekend to go up there and fish all three lakes if possible! Any advice would be much appreciated!!

[ozark trout fisher]

Haven't fished Hazel Creek at all, though I've heard good things. From my little bit of experience up at Thousand Hills, the banks tend to be pretty rocky. There is some timber, but not a whole lot. In most areas of the lake I saw, there is a thick, 5-10 foot wide weedline about 20-30 feet out from the bank. Midday, I was doing best (for largemouth, primarily, but also some crappie) fishing the outside edge of the weeds with spinnerbaits and jigs. Yesterday, I did okay fishing off the bank working the water inside of the weedbeds, but it wasn't nearly as good. I've heard good things about the walleye fishing if you're into that, but I didn't go after them.

It's a really pretty lake, with not any development except by the marina/kayak rental site. You'll enjoy fishing there, I think.

This is the first time I've ever fished up there and it was a quick (less than) two day run through, so I apologize that I can't be all that helpful.

[Richline2258]

Well that's more information than I knew yesterday! Thanks for posting that info. I do like fishing for walleye, they are delicious! It's kinda fun to learn/ fish these smaller lakes that we have in this area of the world. I live in Springfield, and fish Stockton, Table Rock and Bull Shoals quite a bit, but find it fun to roadtrip to other smaller lakes! Opportunities abound here in the great state of Missouri! Feel free to pm me with other info or please post ANY trips you make to these other awesome lakes. Good Fishing!

[ozark trout fisher]

Well that's about all I know regarding the lakes up in Northern Missouri. Never have spent much time fishing in that part of the state though I find the country itself pretty (and I love the rabbit and bird hunting in some of the conservation areas!). But suffice it to say that if you are ever in the eastern/central part of the state let me know and I might be able to help you out.