Mark Twain Lake Links

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Fishing

Mark Twain Lake offers a diverse selection of game fish species as well as a variety of places to catch them. Whether fishing from land or from a boat, there are plenty of opportunities to reel in the big one.

The primary species that are found in Mark Twain Lake are crappie, largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and carp. Be sure to check the fishing catch limits as the lake limit does vary from the state limit on some species.

Fishing

Expand List item 6077Collapse List item 6077  Fishing Ponds
1. Kuhlman Pond

Pond size is 2.2 acres with a maximum depth of 17 feet and is surrounded by oak/hickory forest. There is normally a ring of submerged vegetation around the edge. To access the pond, park at Hunter Fisherman Lot 14 and walk the ¼ mile mowed trail to the pond.

2. Hunter Fisherman 13 Pond

Pond is 2 acres with a maximum depth of 12 feet. Located adjacent to H/F 13, a 100 yard mowed trail will take you to this mostly open pond. A good population of bass and bluegill live in this pond. This pond is ideal for young anglers because of its proximity to the parking lot and the open shoreline.

3. Henderson Lake

Pond size is 3.5 acres and has a maximum depth of 18 feet. It is located within the day use area of the Indian Creek Recreation Area. There is a paved trail to the dam and a mowed path around the entire pond. The pond has a good population of bluegill and bass.

4. Old Route J Pond

Pond size is ½ acre and has a maximum depth of 9 feet. The pond is located west of the Ray Behrens Recreation Area and can be accessed by a mowed trail where Old Route J dead ends at a Corps gate. It has a large population of bass and bluegill.

5. Hunter Fisherman 53 Pond

Pond size is 0.8 acres and has a maximum depth of 8.5 feet. The pond sits in a hay field so access is an easy walk across a the field. There is usually a thin band of vegetation around the edge, providing plenty of cover for bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.

6. Dead Horse Pond

Pond size is 1.35 acres and is located adjacent to the middle fork of Mark Twain Lake which frequently inundates the pond. To access the pond, park at H/F 35 and head west across two fields and two cattle gates. It is about ½ mile from the lot. Due to overtopping by the lake, fish population is uncertain.

7. Quarry Pond

Pond size is 0.76 acres and is located just north of the South Fork Recreation Area entrance. At the gate walk north ¼ mile on the mowed path. At one time this pond was a rock quarry so it is very deep and the sides are very steep. It has a good population of bass and bluegill.

8. Route FF Pond

Pond size is ½ acre and can be accessed by a short walk across a hay field. The pond has a good population of bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.

9. Frank Russell Pond

Pond size is three acres and is located within the Frank Russell Recreation Area. There is a small parking lot from which three wheelchair accessible fishing piers can be reached. There are also several benches and interpretive signs providing details about the area wildlife.

Fishing Pond Map

Title 36 Regulations

Expand List item 6078Collapse List item 6078  ADA Accessible Pond

Located within the Frank Russell Recreation Area, Frank Russell Pond features three accessible fishing piers that can be reached by sidewalk. Each pier is placed in a prime fishing spot around the pond making them some of the most ideal places to catch fish.

This is also an ideal place to see all kinds of wildlife. The pond is surrounded by habitat suitable for everything from quail to whitetail deer. Wild turkey also frequent this area along with Canada geese, several species of ducks, coyotes, and even scavengers such as raccoons and possums.

Expand List item 6079Collapse List item 6079  Bank Fishing

Bank fishing is recommended at the following locations but please exercise caution when moving along, and fishing near, the water’s edge. Remember to wear a life jacket!

  • Bluffview Recreation Area
  • Hunter/Fisherman 70
  • Warren G. See North Spillway
  • Warren G. See South Spillway
  • Duane S. Whelan Recreation Area
  • Hunter/Fisherman 54
Expand List item 6080Collapse List item 6080  Fishing Forecast

Updated weekly from the first Thursday in April through the end of September

NORTHEAST REGION: (660) 785-2420

For an up-to-date fishing forecast go to http://extra.mdc.mo.gov/fish/fishrt/.

Expand List item 36347Collapse List item 36347  Fish Habitat Maps