Lakes in Mark Twain National Forest

[MObassin95]

Hello all! 

So I know the Mark Twain National Forest is mainly known for its rivers, but I'm wondering if there are any hidden gem lakes located in there. I've looked on the USDA site but little detail is given about the lakes. I live in Springfield and would be more than willing to drive an hour and a half or so. If anyone has any information, I would greatly appreciate it! 

[jdmidwest]

There are several, but most are forgotten and neglected. Roads to them blocked, banks grown up.

[MObassin95]

Yeah that's what I gathered. Gotta think a few of them hold some nice fish though. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

4 minutes ago, MObassin95 said:

Yeah that's what I gathered. Gotta think a few of them hold some nice fish though. 

With 63 views already you better hurry. 😁
 

Most I’ve seen are just like JD said plus silted in 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

29 minutes ago, MObassin95 said:

Yeah that's what I gathered. Gotta think a few of them hold some nice fish though. 

It would seem so.  I would also think they would be interested in many things thrown out there.  But also be wary that they could sense you (a person) as you walked to and around the lake, and spook away.  Sounds like a good trip none the less. 

[Gavin]

McCormack and Noblett lake used to have decent numbers of Chain Pickeral. McCormack has free primitive camping. Most of those lakes are not well maintained.

[jdmidwest]

McCormack has run way down over the years.  Good place for a stick up (robbery type, needle type).  Back in the 80's and 90's it was a nice place. 

Then the NFS decided that fishing lakes were just a place for people to go and have fun.  They would have no more of that.  The dams were built before engineers had to adhere to liabilities that occur when they fail.  The disaster at Taum Sauk and the payouts for that made them realize all of those dams are due to failure with age.  Better just to cover them up and let them disappear.

Crane Pond Lake,  Little Scotia Lake, Reynolds County Lake, The Huzzah Fish Pond Lakes by Salem have all went down hill.  They used to have good fishing, but floods and hoods have made them pretty rough.

Council Bluff is still decent, but the Enough primitive campground was closed many years ago.

[96 CHAMP]

We used to fish Fourche lake down near Doniphan and Ripley  county lake also, years back. We would load up on nice bluegill in both lakes, catch a lot of bass, our biggest bass always came from Ripley lake and at night, we had a lot of fun down there then