Fishing Gopher Lake in Jackson County, Missouri

• Overview

  Gopher Lake is one of the Jackson County waters in Missouri. Everything around it is rolling hill. At about 38 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Around 1.1 miles of margin, front to back. It is among the larger waters listed here for Jackson County. 2.2 miles away sits Greenwood, the nearest town. It is 16 miles to East Independence, the nearest city. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Gopher Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Fish documented in Jackson County include bluegill, channel catfish and green sunfish. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Gopher Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 78°F in July and bottom out at 27°F in January. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Plan any trip to Gopher Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. You can park 140 yards away and walk in from there. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. Mapping puts a reserve boundary across this water; check what it allows. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Reed Area Number 9 Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. For Gopher Lake in particular, ask before you travel.