I would probably recommend Lake of the Ozarks, maybe the Glaize arm if you have a small boat. Sometimes below the dam is good. There are some lakes that are south of you but I'm not familiar with them, Clearwater and Wappapello. Some of the southern boys will have to help you out there. There is a small lake between Rolla and St James that has nice crappie but not quanities as for as I know, Little Prairie lake. I would recommend, just for fun the upper Gasconade River around Gerome. You can rent small boats and canoes I think, and it is good for small mouth bass, largemouth, and google eye or rock bass with some crappie. That would be close for you. Good luck..