StL Carp Spots

[ILangler]

After hearing all about carp this winter I have to give it a try. The problem is I'm having trouble finding a good spot in the greater St. Louis area, preferably across the river in IL or to the north but beggers can't be choosers. The issue is finding clear enough water to sight fish for them. I know there are plenty in the big rivers and side waters but visibilty is inches. Anyone feeling generous and willing to share their spot? What I'm looking for is a small, clear river that they are in or a clear lake with some shallow areas.

[Kayser]

Creve Couer Lake has a bunch. I hear there are creeks feeding into the MO river around St. Charles that hold decent numbers.

[Fishingmill]

I think you will have a hard time finding the kind of water you are describing in St. Louis. There's a guy in St. Louis that seems to know the secret formula to catching carp: http://missouriflies.com/

I've been focusing on carp in St. Louis for a year without much luck. A lot of the carp I find are the Asian carp, which I hear won't take a fly. Finding common and grass carp has been a little difficult but not impossible. I think we are pretty close to the carp spawn for some areas, so you may have some luck catching one then. I did catch an Asian carp last week on a creek feeding off the Meramec river; however, I didn't see it and it didn't eat my fly, so it was more blind luck than anything.

[Big Brown Trout]

A lot of the carp I find are the Asian carp, which I hear won't take a fly.

i doubt that. i'm sure Asian Carp would bite a fly just like any other fish.

[fishinwrench]

They don't "bite it" but it isn't hard to drift a fly in their mouth if you can see them.

Let's call it elite snagging.

[Big Brown Trout]

i suppose, but i assume that they will "eat" it. teeth or no i don't think we have to result to unconscious snagging..

[Fishingmill]

Most of the waters where you can catch asian carp are not very clear and I haven't found any information on fly fishing for them.

Check out some of the youtube video from the website I posted. That will give you an idea of what you need to do to fish for carp in St. Louis.

[ILangler]

Thanks for all the tips. I may give Creve Couer Lake a shot. I hadn't come acroos that website yet, thanks for sharing. From what I understand, the problem with fishing for asian carp is that they are more of a filter feeder. I think if the water was clear enough some dry fly fishing, similar to grass carp fishing, might do the trick.

[moguy1973]

The lake behind Creve Couer lake (Mallard lake) has a lot of grass carp in it. And a lot of short nose gar. The carp I've seen there tend to congregate near the small levee that separates Mallard from the channel that runs over to Creve Couer Lake.

[Geoff]

Asian carp are filter feeders, so the chance of you hooking one on a fly is slim, unless you start snagging them in the face.

That being said, there are lots of carp around. Anywhere that flows into the Meremec, Missouri or Mississippi has them in there. I tend to keep the small creeks I know of with them in it under wraps just so the bowfishers stay out and dont toss them all on the banks.