Anyone fish Creve Coeur lake?

[MOFishwater]

I've heard this is a good spot for carp and gar fishing, from a decent source. Anyone have any experience fishing here? Any idea how the bass fishing is? Last time I was there the water was quite nasty and had a really terrible chemical smell...probably perfect for carp! LOL. Anyways, just figured I may try it out one lazy weekend day. Would appreciate any info/comments! Thanks in advance. Also, I'll probably be fishing from a canoe, so all of the water would be accessible if that makes any difference. Cheers.

[Kicknbass]

I haven't fished it since they dredged it last year, but the Crappie fishing can be very good at times during the spawn. I have never targeted carp, and have caught some bass, but not many.

Good luck and give a report.

[MOFishwater]

good to know! Hope to check it out soon, waiting for the campershell to come in for my new truck so I can haul the canoe, will try it out ASAP!

[kenjenmo]

The last time I was there was early summer a couple years ago and the gar were almost jumping in my boat they were so active on topwater. Didn't get to fish as long as I would have liked because of electrical problems with my boat. Bass fishing is good around the Northwest part of the lake where the standing timber is.

I would be wary of eating anything out of there because of things I have heard, but a lot of people do so I guess it's up to you. Let us know how it goes if you go out there.

[MOFishwater]

thanks Kenjenmo, I'll keep that in mind. What do you suggest as a topwater bait if one was to target gar specifically? Probably a question that doesnt get asked often! I've only hooked into a few on accident. I assume some sort of leader would be in order as well?

As for consumption, after the smell I caught wind of there last time, you couldnt pay me to eat anything out of there, no idea what the heck that chemical would have been, def something unnatural. Should be checking it out in a week or so, still waiting on that camper to arrive from the factory. I'll be sure to post a report and some pics if I can pull anything out.

[kenjenmo]

I have never targeted gar before but any type of topwater bait that causes a racket should do the trick. You might want to beef up on your line a bit as well. Good Luck.

[jjtroutbum]

I have targeted gar using frayed nylon anchor rope before and it worked well might want to hook it through a buzz bait as a trailer or something of the sort.The bigger issue is the releasing the toothy things. I was beaching them on the river so wasn't trapped in a boat with one

Good luck,

JJ