St. Louis Area fishing

[rdiemer1010]

I am interested in finding a few (or just one) lake/pond in the close St. Louis area for crappie. Somewhere a person could get off work and go out to for a couple hours. I am in Webster Groves. Thanks

[wharfrat]

Busch wildlife area - lake 33, 35, 34, 6, 32(?), I've had decent success on all those lakes, not big ones, but usually can bring home enough for a meal. Probably about 1/2 hr away from you.

Simpson lake - it's ok, not a great place, next to MSD, not sure if I'd eat anything from there. But at times have caught nice crappie, and nice bass from there. I've already boated 3 bass over 17.5" early this year, and have caught a few small crappie. Need a boat, never caught anything from the banks.

If you know a homeowner at Lake St. Louis, went there a couple of years ago, when a friend used to live there and we caught a bunch around docks early in the year.

If the Meramac is normal, there are places near Geo Winter Park that can be productive. Have only fished it once in the last 10 years and was it was a bust. Years prior, I could catch a few.

I used to have good success near dresser island in west alton years ago, haven't been there for a long time. Actually did well in the fall when building duck blinds. Plus the water is more stable that time of year.

Just across the River, you have Carlyle, and you can fish from the bank below the spillway with success.
Kaskaskia River, you need a boat.
Horseshoe Lake you need a boat.

Also, if you want to bass fish, the park in Des Pere, by Ballas and Manchester, I witnessed a guy throwing a spinner bait and catching a 14" and a 15" bass. He told me it's a great early morning place for bass fishing if you just want to get out for an hour or two. I've never tried it, but I don't live far from there.

Hope that helps.

[polvo]

I was going to chime in, but Wharfrat said exactly what I was going to say. STL is not the best for fishing, unless you learn to fish the rivers.

[Luke77]

Hey, I'm in Kirkwood. The only close lakes I do are Simspon or Creve Couer. Simpson Lake has alot less traffic . Neither are great, but alot of Panfish at Simpson. I have had some luck in deep holes behind various wing dikes on the Missouri river especially when the water is down.

[wharfrat]

I forgot one other place that may be close to you. Last year I was walking in Forest Park, and the big lake closest to Kingshighway. Saw 2 ladies fishing with bobbers and they had a basket full of gills and small crappie. Between them I bet they had 40-50 mix and match. All were on the extreme small side! But, if you like to bank fish, there is an option.

And by the way, WELCOME to the board!

[rdiemer1010]

thank you to all. Very quick responses!!

[crappiemrs]

My neighbors fished a pond at Bush Wildlife on Saturday and kept 20 crappie in the 10 to 11 inch range. If you are interested, I can find out more specifics. If my husband and I do not have much time, we also have done very well with crappie at Whiteside, a MDC Lake (off 40/64) in Lincoln county. Good luck!

[rdiemer1010]

please do. What pond did they fish at Busch Wildlife?