Missouri Life October 2023

REEL ’EM IN Abundant bass, crappie, and catfish populate Truman Lake. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) controls more than 55,000 acres for wildlife and fish management. Approximately 8,800 acres of submerged oak and hickory forest improve fish habitat, facilitating spawning, feeding, and cover. As a result, the lake has earned a reputation as one of the best bass and crappie fishing lakes in the country. Naturally, fishing tournaments fill the calendar from spring through fall. Among the many tournaments hosted at Truman Lake each year is Fishing for Freedom , which takes place October 6–8 in 2023. This tournament pairs military veterans with volunteer boaters for three days of companionship and recreation. There are trophies for the top finishers, although it’s the camaraderie, not the competition, that draws anglers to this event. On any given day, hundreds of anglers will be meandering around the lake in their boats, searching for the most bountiful spots to cast their fishing lines in the hope of landing a whopper. But landlubbers should not be deterred. According to the MDC, one of the most overlooked hot spots for Truman Lake fishing is its shallow water areas. Especially during the temperature extremes of summer and winter, crappie may be found within casting dis tance from the shore in water eight feet deep or shallower.

FLOAT YOUR BOAT The hum of boat motors has become part of the soundscape of the region, and many of those boats are moored at marinas that encircle the lake. Among the most popular is Beyonder Marina at Sterett Creek . No boat? No problem. This marina offers boat rentals, a motel and campground, fishing gear, groceries, and a helpful staff. Osage Bluff Marina holds the distinction of being Truman Lake has evolved into an angler’s paradise. Marinas and ramps located around the lake make it easy to launch a boat. The Harry S. Truman Dam was completed in 1979 after 25 years of planning, land acquisition, and construction. It produces power from six turbines.

MISSOURI STATE PARKS, LISA WATERMAN GRAY

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