MO Boating Destinations???

[Gamonman]

I just aquired my first boat and it's a Jon. I'm in Lincoln County MO. and went to Lake Lincoln in Cuivre River State Park. I was very dissapointed when they told me that I couldn't use my gas engine. <br /><br /> Can anyone tell me of a good place to go where I can use my engine? Like I said I'm in Lincoln County MO. and I'm looking for something semi-local.<br /><br /> Thanks for any help.

 

[fireman57]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

You've got the whole Mississippi river to fish. Try below the lock and dam for catfish, white bass, stripers. Check the inside of the bends for smallmouth and overhanging brush or logjams for spring crappie. Walleye should be spawning now on the gravel bars.

 

[Gamonman]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll hold off on the Mississippi until I get some experience. I've never even operated my boat with the gas engine yet! <br /> Please let me know if you know of any lakes or smaller/milder rivers to get some experience on. I'm still afraid of any type of current.

 

[kenjenmo]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Hey Gamonman...I too am new to boating and have been looking for places as well. It seems that there are a couple of state parks with access to the Meremac River which is a little tamer than the Mississippi. I have been scoping out some places in West Alton to put into the Mississippi, there are some public launches there that launch into sloughs that are pretty calm. Its really beautiful down there as well. Otherwise, You can try Lake Carlyle in Illinois(If its not windy), Lake Wappapello or Mark Twain Lake.<br />By the way, How was it using electric only on Lake Lincoln? Did you fish? I have a 16' Basstracker I was thinking of taking out there sometime.

 

[Gamonman]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

By the way, How was it using electric only on Lake Lincoln? Did you fish? I have a 16' Basstracker I was thinking of taking out there sometime.

You can get around great with a trolling motor on Lake Lincoln in Troy. I just have a 16' Jon boat, but is has a lot of weight in it, and my little 24lb Mini Kota pulled me at a decent speed.<br /><br /> I was out there Sunday for the "Perfect Storm"... that sucked. The trolling motor pulled me even in the storm but it had some trouble in the wind. We just went slow while hail peened us for about 20 minutes. <br /><br /> My problem is that I only have one day off a week, so I can't really go too far from home. I've heard there is access to Cuiver River in Old Monroe, but I don't know where or how deep the river is.<br /><br /> I tried to fish Lake Lincoln but the storm cut me short. I did see some large bass in there but there seemed to be a lack of cover in the lake. The fish are there but I've always tride to fish near cover and brush for more success. Lake Lincoln has a few places with some cover but for the most part is really bare.<br /><br /> Let me know if anyone knows anything about Cuiver River or anywhere else close to me. Thanks!

 

[kenjenmo]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

That doesn't sound like much fun being out there in a hail storm. I have bank fished Lake Lincoln and not had much luck...you are right about cover, there is not much there and what cover there is gets hammered by the weekend campers. How was it getting your boat back on the trailer using just your trolling motor? It is always an adventure with me...<br />I have not heard or seen about access to Cuivre River. The only parts of the river I have seen seem pretty shallow.

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

yea ive fished lake lincolyn and its horrible! go on the cuivre river on cuivre island. Great cat fishing and other. Its off route 79 with a conservation sign on the road to follow. Id tell you another place but its one of those honey holes.

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Lincolyn lake is pretty bare, but if you go straight to the left of the ramp across the lake there is some deep tree cover that is really nice and the back cove is sometimes good. For the most part there are alot of small fish and the rare "nice" fish. Ive taken people up there just to catch fish, not that they cared to catch quality.

 

[Gamonman]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Thanks guys. Skeeterboy, if you can direct me there I might hit that spot you're talking about on Sunday.<br /><br /> You said to go to Cuiver River on Cuiver Island? What kind of setup is it? Is there a ramp? I still have no river experience.<br /><br /> I'm very close to hwy 79, how can I get there from hwy 70? I have to try something besides Lake Lincoln.

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

70 is perpendicular to 79. 79 runs north and south, its like 5miles or so above 70 im guessing. if coming from 70 it will be an exit on the right, but there should be a sign on the left that is brown with the conservation symbol on it. Ive only been there once and never put cause the boat wasnt running yet. Alot of guys were up there when i was there so im sure you can find help to put in and river info.

 

[Gamonman]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Great, thanks Skeeterboy. I'll head that way Sunday and let you guys know what I saw. It's very close to my house!

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

About going to the the river check out this site before you go. <br /> http://weather.lwm.com/ <br />scroll down to Current River Conditions<br /><br />River Forecasts<br />Current Area River Forecasts<br /><br />click on the current area river and look at the cuivre river in troy befor you head down there it might be really high after the rain this weekend. It also has levels for most rivers near by.

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

So gamonman did you hit the river or any other places this weekend?

 

[Gamonman]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

No rivers. I went back to Lake Lincoln and it was windy and cold. After a few hours we headed over to Busch Wildlife and it was the same deal on lake #7. <br /> Tomorrow I am going to try Dardene creek (of all places). I found a place that I can put in and the water is high as far as the eye can see. I'm excited but I think it's been too cold and windy lately. I have my fingers crossed for tomorrow.<br /><br /> Please guys, let me know if you have any more ideas! I mostly like catching panfish, but cats, bass etc. are all welcome at my dinner table!

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Ah there is a place to fish cant use your boat but it just opened up this march. Its called fountain lakes and it is off 370 and elm. you can see the lakes off the road. there are alot and some big bass being taken. Not to bad. Yea it was kinda windy and chilly. I head down to the ozarks all weekend and caught some nice bass around 3lbs. There were two tournies on sat and they brought in about 20lbs of fish, 6.6 being the largest.

 

[kenjenmo]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Gamonman: I did not know that you could use your own boats out at Busch. I thought it was strictly bank fishing or renting their little jon boats out there. Are there lakes at Busch that you can take out your own boats there?<br /><br />Also, has it been crowded out at Lake Lincoln as far as boat traffic goes?

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Lincoln lake is hardly ever crowded if you get there early. There are at times a bunch of bank walkers there during the weekends. I wouldnt go memorial day weekend unless you get there very early so you are the first out.

 

[kenjenmo]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Thanks Skeeterboy. I am thinking about heading over to Illinois this weekend to put in to the Illinois River around Pere Marquette. I have never been on the river before up there but I did check out the Marina at the State Park and it is really nice.

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

let me know where you go during the weekends i might have to meet up with you and help ya out once it gets lil warmer go hit the river and the cats should be going nuts. Im leaving to go to Kentucky lake all next week so that should be fun. Hope my boat runs haha (fingers crossed). Well have fun and let me know how the Ill river goes and the state park is.

 

[kenjenmo]

Re: MO Boating Destinations???

Sure thing, sounds good.