Fishing at Derbey Lake, Moniteau County, Missouri

• Overview

  You will find Derbey Lake in Moniteau County, Missouri. The bank is 827 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 5 acres — small enough to read in one session. California sits 7.2 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The big place round here is Columbia, 32 miles distant. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Derbey Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Fish documented in Moniteau County include white sucker, channel catfish, fantail darter, johnny darter and logperch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. At Derbey Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 29°F to 78°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Derbey Lake. The first warm week of the year changes everything here.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Railroad Lake sits 6.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Derbey Lake locally before you travel.