15 Best Crappie Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Missouri

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You can catch two crappie species across Missouri, with excellent fishing spots ranging from farm ponds to creeks and rivers to large reservoirs. 

Black and white crappie are fun to catch and delicious to eat, and in Missouri, you can often find them holding in the same brush pile.

Black crappie are often much darker than white crappie, with dark specks all over their body. They usually prefer clear water over murky water.

White crappie are lighter and have sometimes-faint vertical lines along their body. You’ll often find white crappie in murkier water more than black crappie.

Now that you can quickly identify between the two, let’s look at the best places to catch crappie in Missouri.

But, of course, you’ll also want to know how to catch them after you know where to look. So stick around, and we’ll share some simple crappie fishing tactics to help fill your cooler with these tasty panfish.

Best Crappie Fishing Locations in Missouri

As I mentioned, both crappie species are found across the Show Me State. You won’t have to travel far to catch dinner. 

Harry S. Truman Lake

A smiling angler holds up a stringer of crappies caught fishing at Truman Lake in Missouri, which appears in the background.
Photo courtesy of Just One Outdoors

This massive reservoir in southwestern Missouri is loaded with black and white crappie. 

To narrow your search on the 55,000-acre Truman Lake, try the Big Tebo Area in the northwestern part of the reservoir. It is often the place to go if you want to catch big crappie.

White and black crappie numbers are doing well here, so not only do you have a shot at big ones, you’ll catch lots of crappie. However, many of them won’t be keeper size.

If you prefer to target one species over the other, the lower portion of the lake tends to be clearer water, so you find more black crappie at that east end. The upper reservoir is murkier, so the white crappie are more prevalent.

Anglers will find some of the best wintertime crappie fishing in shallow water on Truman Lake. 

If you prefer to fish brush piles, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) placed numerous brush piles in the lake where crappie love to hang out.

Most of the land surrounding Harry S. Truman is public and managed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. This status means you’ll be able to fish from the bank just about anywhere.

More: Complete Guide to Truman Lake Fishing

Bull Shoals Lake

With over 1,000 miles of shoreline, Bull Shoals Lake in south-central Missouri offers bank anglers plenty of opportunity to catch crappie. 

Bring the whole family because there’s plenty to do at the campgrounds, marina, and local shops and restaurants.

Crappie are the second most targeted species on the lake, so during the spawn, be prepared for many other anglers on the lake.

The average size crappie is just under 10 inches.

Because this lake sits on the border with Arkansas, there are special regulations you must be aware of before heading to the water. So be sure to look into the local fishing laws.

More: Complete Guide to Bull Shoals Lake Fishing

Norfork Lake

Another lake located mostly in Arkansas, Norfork Lake is an excellent lake to catch 17-inch crappie. 

You read that correctly: Crappies in Norfork Lake get to tremendous sizes.

Fishing here is simple, find the brush piles, and you find the crappie. 

The good news is that the Arkansas Game and Fish and the MDC mark the brush piles, so you won’t have to search for them blindly.

The only time of year that crappie aren’t found in brush piles is during the spawn. When they move shallow in the spring, they’re easy to catch from the shore using minnows or jigs.

There’s plenty of access to the water, but to reach the best areas, you’ll need a boat.

More: Complete Guide to Fishing at Norfork Lake

Table Rock Lake

Located just west of Branson, Table Rock Lake is known for smallmouth bass fishing, but the word is getting out about the incredible crappie fishing during the spring and fall.

The James, Kings, and Long Creek arms are the areas with the highest concentration of crappie, so I would begin fishing in one of these locations.

Small plastic jigs or minnows are the top producers around woody structures such as brush piles.

You’ll catch black and white crappie when fishing at Table Rock, most of them being legal keeping size.

More: Complete Guide to Table Rock Lake Fishing

Lake of the Ozarks

Located in central Missouri, Lake of the Ozarks is a busy spot during the warmer months. 

However, crappie and largemouth bass fishing can be incredible during the early spring and late fall when fewer people are on the water.

Finding brush piles near or on points is best when the spawn isn’t taking place. 

The Niangua Arm is the place to begin if you’re looking for keeper-size crappie. Minnows and small 1/32 or ⅛ ounce jigs in natural colors work best.

More: Complete Guide to Lake of the Ozarks Fishing

Mark Twain Lake

Some of the best crappie fishing within a reasonable drive of St. Louis and Columbia happens at this lake during late April and early May when the crappie spawn close to the shore. 

Jigs and minnows are the best lures and baits on this large reservoir. There’s lots of access by boat or bank, so you’ll have room to get away from other anglers.

If the crappie are slow to bite, try some catfishing, as Mark Twain is one of the best catfish fishing lakes in Missouri.

There are plenty of other activities to do at the state park, such as hiking, disc golfing, picnicking, and wildlife watching.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better crappie fishing destination in the northeast part of the Show Me State.

More: Complete Guide to Fishing at Mark Twain Lake

Wappapello Lake

As I write this article, crappie numbers are high at Wappapello Lake in southeastern Missouri. 

So good, in fact, anglers are encouraged to keep smaller fish to help lower the population so the remaining crappie can grow larger.

Black and white crappie are in the 8,400-acre reservoir.

In the spring, the crappie move to shallow areas to spawn. In the summer, they move deeper to cooler waters.

In the fall and winter, look for crappie near transition areas to flats with brush piles.

The best place to begin searching for crappie for much of the year is along the large flats near the old St. Francis River channel.

Smithville Lake

Smithville Lake is known for great crappie fishing in the northwest part of the state, just north of Kansas City.

Crappie numbers are outstanding and should continue to be so for many years, with the special crappie fishing regulations.

Both species of crappie are present in the lake. You’ll catch more black crappie, but the white crappie likely will be bigger. 

As usual, jigs and minnows are the best ways to get a bite. 

Fish shallow during the spring, deep brush piles during the summer, and near transition areas with standing timber through the fall and winter.

Smithville Lake also has some of the best walleye fishing in this part of Missouri.

Stockton Lake

You’re more likely to catch white crappie at Stockton Lake, but both species are present in healthy numbers and sizes at this reservoir northwest of Springfield.

You’ll find many brush piles around the lake that attract crappie, making them an excellent place to start your day if the spawn isn’t taking place.

Some of the brush piles are marked with signs, so you don’t have to have a GPS to find them. You also can search for unmarked piles in 20 feet of water using sonar to find some less-pressured fish.

The best way to catch crappie here is the same as everywhere else, use jigs or minnows. Try various depths until you locate a school.

The Corps of Engineers manages this lake in southwest Missouri, so plenty of public access locations exist. 

More: Complete Guide to Stockton Lake Fishing

Osage River

The Osage River in central Missouri is a tributary of the Missouri River that flows out of the Lake of the Ozarks.

There are many species of fish to be caught in the Osage River, but crappie are one of the best-tasting.

Look for brush piles and deep holes. The best holes for crappie will typically be 10-15 feet deep.

If there’s a good amount of current, look for areas where crappies can hunker down behind structure or in slack water.

Minnows and jigs still work well when river fishing. Try a Rooster Tail or Super Duper if the fish prefer your bait moving or you want to cover more area until you locate a good holding spot.

Missouri River

The Missouri River nearly splits the Show Me State into northern and southern halves. 

This is not a small river, so if you plan to fish it from a boat, be prepared for the challenges of fishing a bigger river.

I would begin my search for crappie around current breaks, especially in deep holes with brush piles. 

A small crappie jig is my go-to lure for river fishing, followed by a Super Duper or RoosterTail.

The best places to begin are in the mouths of its tributaries during the spring; otherwise, crappie fishing on this big river can be challenging.

Pomme de Terre Reservoir

If you want to catch a lot of crappie, head to Pomme de Terre Reservoir in southwestern Missouri, a little over an hour north of Springfield.

You’ll have a great chance of catching a limit of keeper-sized crappie as the population has grown in number and size over the last few years.

If you’re fishing in the spring, stick close to the shore with jigs and minnows.

During the rest of the year, search for brush piles. Many of these fish condos are marked by signs on the lake.

You’ll have ample opportunity to catch both crappie species at this 7,800-acre lake.

Mozingo Lake

There are 26 miles of shoreline to fish at Mozingo Lake during the spring, with plenty of standing timber and brush piles to attract crappie the rest of the year.

The lake has a 30-crappie limit, but only 15 can be over 9 inches. This rule is in place to help the population stay in check.

Don’t be surprised if you run into a lot of other anglers on the water, as this is a top-rated bass fishing lake in the northwestern corner of Missouri, about an hour and a half from Kansas City.

Lake Jacomo

You’ll catch black and white crappie while fishing at Lake Jacomo in the Kansas City area. 

Most will be around 10 inches long, an excellent keeper size.

The north marina boat dock has good crappie fishing during the spawn.

Also, two disabled-accessible fishing docks have brush piles under them set deep enough that make them great places to crappie fish during the summer and winter.

If you have a boat, you’ll also find brush piles scattered around the lake.

The typical lures still work best here. However, sometimes switching up the colors helps trigger a bite, especially in heavily pressured areas, including around docks.

Private Farm Ponds

If you’re looking to catch big crappie, private ponds are the best place to begin, as both state record black and white crappie came from private ponds.

You’ll need permission before fishing on someone else’s property, but you won’t have to deal with other anglers once you get consent.

Fishing in a pond is very similar to bank fishing at a lake.

During the spring, fish shallow areas, especially around cover.

During the summer, fish deeper around woody structures. If there is no structure, just cast towards the middle until you find the crappie school. 

How to Catch Crappie

Crappie fishing is so popular because it is easy to get started and have a successful day. It doesn’t take a lot of gear or complicated techniques. 

Knowing where and when to go are the most critical aspects of crappie fishing once you have the needed gear.

The Gear You Need

To get started crappie fishing, you’ll want an ultralight rod and reel to feel the soft bites on a 4lb test line. Bring a small tackle box with crappie jigs, soft plastics, small bobbers, minnow hooks, and split shot weights.

You’ll also need a minnow bucket if you use live minnows as bait. 

A boat or kayak helps you reach the “hard-to-get-to” areas; however, there are many days throughout the year when you can catch crappie from the shore.

Where to Find Crappie

Now that you have the necessary gear, it’s time to pick a place to go. Just because the lake has crappie doesn’t mean you’ll catch them everywhere you go on the lake.

Crappie prefer to spend most of their time around structure or cover. So submerged trees, cliff banks, and docks are some of the best places to begin looking for crappie.

Transition areas, or places where the water depth changes from shallow to deep, are some of my favorite places to crappie fish, especially if you can find structure nearby.

If you’re fishing from the shore, try to get as close as possible to the transition areas, as you’ll be able to determine if the fish are shallow or deep that day.

When to Go

Ask any crappie angler when the best time to go fishing is, and they better tell you the spring during the spawn. 

Crappie are much more aggressive during this time, and they move shallow, so it’s much easier for bank anglers to catch a limit for dinner.

However, this also means there are A LOT more anglers trying to catch them. If you prefer solitude, try crappie fishing during the fall or winter.

Crappie feed heavily before winter, so fall is the next best time to catch them. Some panfish fans might say it’s the best time because there are not as many anglers on the water.

Catch More Crappie

If you’d like more detail on the techniques and tips to catch more slabs, read our simple crappie fishing guide.

Now you know where and when to go, along with some crappie-catching tactics. All that’s left is to get to one of the above waterways and start catching dinner.