Hardeke Lake in Greene County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Greene County, Missouri, is where Hardeke Lake sits. This is mixed woodland ground. At 10 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It sits higher than most water we list in Missouri. Supplies mean a trip to Strafford, 4.2 miles off. The nearest city of size is Springfield, 13 miles away. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Hardeke Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Fish documented in Greene County include rainbow darter, bluegill and longear sunfish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Hardeke Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 77°F; the cold one sits at 31°F. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. It holds true on Hardeke Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Mueller Lake at 3 miles is the nearest alternative. For Hardeke Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.