Fishing Fishermans Lake in Jefferson County, Missouri

• Overview

  Fishermans Lake sits in Jefferson County, out in Missouri. The country round it is open valley from end to end. Surface area runs to about 12 acres — small enough to read in one session. The town to know is De Soto, 2.5 miles out. St. Louis is the closest city, 39 miles away. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Fishermans Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Species logged across Jefferson County include orangethroat darter, longear sunfish and rainbow darter. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Treat Fishermans Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 30°F in January to roughly 77°F in July. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Anyone fishing Fishermans Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lake Briarwood at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat Fishermans Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.