Need Some Smithville Lake help to be safe.

Good morning everyone. I fish Smithville lake quite a bit but pretty much stay between the W bridge and Camp Branch. I want to expand my area but get so damn scared when it comes to timber. I'm used to the MO river and lakes like Lake of the Ozarks. Not much standing timber. The river is a different story but I've been on it since i was a kid some I'm comfortable navigating it. I looked on Navionics and drew some lines that i think would be safe to travel. I'm guessing if i stay out of the dotted areas that say Flooded Timber I can run my boat at a good rate of travel. Inside of those dotted lines i would idle or using my trolling motor. Is this correct? Thanks for your help in being safe.

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Some parts of your routes are ok but I would not trust where it says timber is. The way I learned where to go is to get out in late fall when they have the lake drawn down and mark the stumps near your path. You can also go out on Thursday nights and wait for the bass boats to show you the way north. Problem with that right now the lake is high and the bass boats won’t be taking their normal pool routs.


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Thanks for the reply. I guess i could also slow roll up through there with my finder on and pray.

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Originally Posted by KCcrappie

Some parts of your routes are ok but I would not trust where it says timber is. The way I learned where to go is to get out in late fall when they have the lake drawn down and mark the stumps near your path. You can also go out on Thursday nights and wait for the bass boats to show you the way north. Problem with that right now the lake is high and the bass boats won’t be taking their normal pool routs.


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Lake is down a foot but still 7 foot high. Wait before making any trails.

do you guys thinks its safe for me to just slow roll up through there or just wait and figure it all out this fall?

If you have good electronics then just follow the river channels. You can easily weave in and out through there. I travel north of W often and haven’t encountered any issues. Also if you study your electronics and adjust offsets with water depths you should be ok. When in doubt just slow down and look at your surroundings.

as has been said, learn by following at normal water level. following boats in a bass tournament is how i did it. just copy the guys who know. at least 20 years ago, there was really 1 main trail up both arms. i'll bet its the same trails today...idle speed off the trail until you have been through 20 times...you will be fine.

Thanks guys, I have decent electronics. I have a Lowrance Elite Ti in the rear and a Hook 7 in the front. I will study, study, then just take it slow. You guys are awesome on this site. I follow some western hunting forums and some people can be so mean and not help at all.