Boat Size

[rhack]

New to commenting on the OA forums, but have been on them enjoying posts for a while now.

So my question...I am looking to make a weekend trip from KC down to Stockton in a few weeks. I'll be camping and pulling an old 14' semi-v aluminum boat with a 10 hp motor.

Am I undersized? It looks to me like if I got stuck with a windy weekend...I'd still be able to stick to the coves. Where's a good place to launch out of knowing that I top out around 10 mph?

Your opinions/comments are much appreciated, and thanks in advance!

[strat278]

WHAT PART OF THE LAKE YOU CAMPING AT

[rhack]

Was debating the state park, but either that or something on the west side. Tent with electrical campsite...ideally showers. Nothing too rough.

The trip is really a scouting trip....looking for a place to take my dad mid-September...and I wanted to check out the cabins at the state park and see if I can find some fish.

[Dutch]

If you don't have a map, get one. Wind direction can play a big part in what is safe for a small boat on that lake. Listen to the extended forecast and find out what is predicted. 417-869-4491 will get you a weather service recording.

[Ketchup]

Ruark West or East campground fits the bill. Ramp, camping with elec., coves to get away from wind, safe. Your boat will do fine as its not in the main lake.

[Unimog]

The cabins at state park look nice but there's not much fishing right there. The only other lake cabins I'm aware of are the ones at Orleans trail.

[DADAKOTA]

The cabins at Stockton Lake are not on the lake, but are the nicest accommodations down there. Stayed at the place right before the mile long bridge on 215 and it was decent too. I run a 16 foot jonboat down there with a 25 and just look at the wind and weather to determine where I put in. PM me if you need more info.

[zarraspook]

There is a place on the west side between the "mile long" bridge and Hawker point with a big, out of the winds, cove... I have caught A LOT of crappie, bass and walleye out of this cove...

I'm not sure about camping but, here is the link with phone number and info on "Happy O's"....

http://www.happyoresort.com/Amenities.html

[huck1974]

I was fishing out of a 16ft jon with an old 30 on the back. Worked fine. Just upgraded to a 20' fishing pontoon. I like the camping at Ruark, but Im going to start camping at Mutton Creek this weekend for convenience because I rented a slip there. Both campgrounds have electric. Ruark is on the lake. Mutton is just up the hill, but they have a bar and restaurant and marina.

[sixstring531]

It really depends on the wind and where you're at on the lake. When the wind blows out of the south at anything above 10, by the time it hits the dam area it can get pretty dicey in something that small. As has already been pointed out, there are plenty of coves you can duck into. I used to run around in a Tracker Pro 16 (25hp) and got caught in a nasty little storm near Highpoint; I've never seen inland lake whitecaps like that! One came over the whole left rear of the boat and gave the bilge a nice workout. We're now in an 18 1/2' and it's much better.