Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Lake Taneycomo Fishing Guides For Anglers In The Ozarks

By Kenya Campos


A trip to the Ozark Mountains by anglers usually means a visit to Branson, Missouri. The dam on the White River built here in 1913 created the incredibly large and manmade Lake Taneycomo, which has since become a tourist magnet that attracts nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts by the boatload. The first thing that all Lake Taneycomo fishing guides mention is that this is without any doubt one of the top trout and bass fishing locations in the country.

Tourists usually prefer the direct access to the lake provided from downtown Branson. Anglers feeling out good spots may like Branson Landing, or head further east to communities at Powersite, Forsyth or Rockaway Beach. There's plenty of room for trout fishing all year round, with the water stretching for 22 miles from the Table Rock Dam to the Powersite Dam.

The cold and clear water is stocked with a bounty of around 750,000 trout each year. These are huge trophy rainbow and brown trout, raised at the amazing Shepherd of the Hills hatchery which produces around 1.25 million catchable trout annually. Anglers need to follow state license regulations here, and there are additional rules for the upper end of this lake which is a restricted area.

The abundance and quality of the catch at the upper end make it ideal for both fly as well as spin fishing. The artificial area regulations and slot limits make it a bit harder, but that just enhances the challenge of the experience. Anyway, the remaining 19 miles of water between the dams has no such lure and length restrictions.

Every trout permit has a limit of four fish per day. Daily permits costing $7 are valid just for that one day, but anglers who plan to come back can apply for an annual or lifetime permit. These can be obtained at a Walmart or any sporting goods store in the state.

The restricted artificial area runs for about three miles from the mouth of Fall Creek to the Table Rock Dam. No bait may be used here, and even catch and release expeditions need to have a trout permit. The slot limits in this zone applies to 12-20" rainbow trout and also for brown trout which are smaller than 20 inches.

In simple terms, what this means is that rainbow trout in between 12 to 20 inches must be released back after being caught, and only those that are smaller than 12 inches or bigger than 20 inches may be kept. Any brown trout which are smaller than 20 inches also cannot be kept, and must be released back into the water immediately after they are caught. The normal possession limits will also need to be followed.

The secret to a successful day of boating or wading in these waters is to know the spots where the fish are biting, but which are as yet largely unknown to most anglers and visitors. This is far easier with guided fishing tours led by local experts. The best Lake Taneycomo fishing spots vary all the time, and only the expert guides who are intimately familiar with the White River know where these magnificent trophy fish abound on an any day of the year.




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