SRV1990 Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 It doesn't appear this particular forum gets much action, but thought I'd give it a shot anyway. My girlfriend and I are wanting to take a day trip this weekend (from St. Louis) to MTL. What public access/ramps would you recommend? Also, any insight and tips on fishing for bass or crappie would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!! trouty mouth 1 "You can always justify putting off a decision... but you can't put off the results of indecision." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverickpro201 Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 It will be crazy up there this week end. Way to many big big boats. Parking lots will be full of some of the most stupidest people and I mean FULL. Good luck even finding a room some where. Probably need your head examined if you go this week end. snagged in outlet 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdmidwest Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 Its a big lake. How big of a boat do you have? Little boat may be a problem. I would think the upper ends in the skinny stuff would be ok for fishing, or the river below. Boat ramps tend to get crowded fast there from what I have seen. I was there for a weekend for a few years ago, and found that there is not alot of online info around. But it is always worth the trip to explore. My rule of thumb, if its a holiday weekend, find something secluded and hide from the ones that only do it on a holiday any more. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 If I was going up there I'd put in at Shell branch......and I wouldn't leave Shell branch. There's plenty of fish right there within a mile of the ramp. And it likely won't be overly crowded. snagged in outlet 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snagged in outlet 3 Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 10 hours ago, jdmidwest said: My rule of thumb, if its a holiday weekend, find something secluded and hide from the ones that only do it on a holiday any more. Tough to find anymore. Unfortunate for us that just want a quiet place to fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdmidwest Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 2 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said: Tough to find anymore. Unfortunate for us that just want a quiet place to fish. My vacations are weekend before or after a summer holiday, or off season before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. That time in August between school start and Labor Day is good. Last weekend on Spring River, one other RV and 6 or 8 campsites. Memorial weekend was booked solid. I will be on MDC ponds this weekend for bluegill. Looks like solid rain all week anyway and everything is muddy. snagged in outlet 3 1 "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV1990 Posted May 30 Author Share Posted May 30 On 5/20/2024 at 6:16 PM, Maverickpro201 said: It will be crazy up there this week end. Way to many big big boats. Parking lots will be full of some of the most stupidest people and I mean FULL. Good luck even finding a room some where. Probably need your head examined if you go this week end. Well, I missed my head examination appointment, so gave it a go anyway. Up and back on Memorial Day. Put in at the Hwy 107 ramp about 9:30am. Lot was maybe 1/4 full. One other boat launching while I was, two others pulling out when I was. Saw very few big boats, mostly fishing boats, pontoons and jet skiers. I've experienced worse on Table Rock. Overall, and until the rain it, it was a great day on the water. snagged in outlet 3 1 "You can always justify putting off a decision... but you can't put off the results of indecision." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV1990 Posted May 30 Author Share Posted May 30 On 5/20/2024 at 7:39 PM, jdmidwest said: Its a big lake. How big of a boat do you have? Little boat may be a problem. I would think the upper ends in the skinny stuff would be ok for fishing, or the river below. Boat ramps tend to get crowded fast there from what I have seen. I was there for a weekend for a few years ago, and found that there is not alot of online info around. But it is always worth the trip to explore. My rule of thumb, if its a holiday weekend, find something secluded and hide from the ones that only do it on a holiday any more. I have an 18' G3 Gator Tough with a 90hp Yamaha. Put in around 9:30am at the Hwy 107 ramp. Very little activity on the ramp at that time, and the lot was maybe 1/4 full. Water was a bit choppy, but not bad until the rains hit around 3pm'ish. Being so new to MTL I really didn't have a feel for where to fish. So didn't do too well. Caught a couple whites and a couple short bass, all on a crank bait. All in all, a great day on the water! snagged in outlet 3 1 "You can always justify putting off a decision... but you can't put off the results of indecision." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV1990 Posted May 30 Author Share Posted May 30 On 5/20/2024 at 8:37 PM, fishinwrench said: If I was going up there I'd put in at Shell branch......and I wouldn't leave Shell branch. There's plenty of fish right there within a mile of the ramp. And it likely won't be overly crowded. I put in at the Hwy 107 ramp, which according to my map looks to be very close to Shell Branch. Did a little pleasure cruising with the girlfriend first, and then put lines in the water. Wasn't nearly as crowded as I was expecting, so that was good! Despite not catching much, it was a great day on the water... at least until the rains came! 😉 fishinwrench and snagged in outlet 3 2 "You can always justify putting off a decision... but you can't put off the results of indecision." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverickpro201 Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 Was up at Mark Twain 28th and 29th. All I can say is the lake was muddy. I usually do not do well in muddy water. Weds. and Thursday was a different story. Put in at 107, Had double limits both days. 30 to 40 fish a day. Best weights wed and thurs, little over 16lbs on Wed and over 20 lbs on Thursday. All I can say is we sore mouthed a lot of fish for the tournament guys this weekend. Had a great 2 days, Thursday we had 3 over 4lbs and one almost 6lbs @ 5.82lbs. The fish were stacked up in some areas and if you found them was fish on. snagged in outlet 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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