Harris Lake Fishing in Pike County, Missouri

• Overview

  Harris Lake falls in Pike County, part of Missouri. The bank is 751 feet above sea level. Small at around 6 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. For supplies, Vandalia is 3.9 miles out. For a city, Columbia is 55 miles off. Others worth noting: Kohl Lake West at 1 mile, Kohl Irrigation Lake North 3.7 miles, Deigel Lake at 3.7 miles, Kohl Irrigation Lake South 3.8 miles and Vandalia Lake at 7.6 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Harris Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Species logged across Pike County include orangethroat darter, bluegill, green sunfish and red shiner. The county list is broader than any single water. At Harris Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 77°F and January about 26°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Expect Harris Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Kohl Lake West, 1 mile away, makes the obvious fallback. What applies at Harris Lake may have changed since it was mapped.