Stl County Park Lakes been any good recently?

[Lewis Farmer]

20 hours ago, sms_alum said:

Depending on where you live in STL there are some great river access points and creeks to fish. You are right about the neighborhood ponds and lakes. I put a lot of time walking in South County and there are good places if you search hard enough. Don't get discouraged, one day you'll have a boat and the resources to fish anywhere but not the time. Enjoy the searching, it makes the reward of catching nice fish that much better.

What creeks and river access points? I live in Clayton, but if it means good fishing I don't mind driving 30 minutes. I tried to fish some spots on the meremac with my friend, but we were on foot and had to fish near the boat ramps at pacific palisades and allenton access. Didn't catch much.

[moguy1973]

The problem with Unger is that it's a flood lake.  The river comes up, the fish go into the river and I don't think much stays behind in the lake when the river goes back down.  I've fished it once out of my kayak and a couple times from the bank and I only saw carp, both Asian and common carp, and a few gar.  Also It's really not that deep and it heats up pretty quick in the summer. The good thing about Unger is unless you have a kayak or jon boat most of the lake isn't easily accessed from the bank so it's not beat on by local fishermen. 

[Haris122]

Actually the last few years, most of the time the water has been low enough, and most of the bank sandy/gravelly enough that you can walk it easily. It's a long walk though, to make it all around it.

[sms_alum]

Lewis, if you search through some of the Meramec threads there is a lot of good info on the lower part of the river in Fenton, Eureka, Pacific. Most creeks in the south and West part of the county lead that direction. These creeks are always changing so look at google maps, its been 20 years since I have walked them.

[David Unnerstall]

Whenever I have enough time to get out for a few hours but not enough to get out of town I head to Spanish Lake with my cedar stripper.  I have caught decent numbers in the past but not recently.  Two weeks ago I launched in North/Sunfish Lake(s) just next to Spanish Lake.  I have never had much success, there, but that is close to a wilderness experience whereas Spanish Lake is CONSTANT noise.  I caught three LM that were just born in a couple hours.  It does mean that bass are spawning and maybe, down the road, there will be a stable population.

[jpb2187]

Has anyone been to Jefferson Lake in Forest Park lately. Stopped by after work yesterday... it looks like it might have been dredged or something. The water was really stained compared to how I remember it and all the grass mats were gone. Anyone have any info? 

[snagged in outlet 3]

It might of gotten washed out last with the heavy rain.  I fish a local pond and last week the high water mark was 8' up in the trees.  You could see the mud stain on the tree leaves that high.  About 1" visibility even 4 days after the rain.

[jpb2187]

No, I had been there a month ago as well and it looked pretty similar. Used to be tons of grass and moss all over the lake, now its just muddy with no grass to be found. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Bummer

[Haris122]

Anyone catch anything consistently at Unger lake last year?