Bean Lake Fishing near Atchison, Missouri

• Overview

  Bean Lake stands in Platte County, Missouri. The setting is open valley. It measures some 420 acres, and wind has room to build across it. Some 5.2 miles of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. It is the biggest water on our Platte County list. The closest town, Atchison, is 7.8 miles distant. Kansas City is the closest city, 33 miles away. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Bean Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Platte County records list bluegill, rainbow smelt and green sunfish among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Bean Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 78°F in July and bottom out at 27°F in January. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. That is the shape of the year on Bean Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. It is recorded as an oxbow, which means still water with a river's shape. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Big Eight Lake sits 5.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Bean Lake.