Harry S Truman Reservoir Fishing near Warsaw, Missouri

• Overview

  Missouri holds Harry S Truman Reservoir, in Benton County. It sits in open valley. It covers about 72.1 sq miles, which means weather matters as much as tactics. The water reaches back into a network of arms, each one worth a session of its own. Across our Missouri listings, few waters are bigger. 2.5 miles away sits Warsaw, the nearest town. Springfield is the closest city, 71 miles away. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Harry S Truman Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Records held for Benton County cover green sunfish, longear sunfish and paddlefish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Harry S Truman Reservoir responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 29°F and July at about 78°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Harry S Truman Reservoir runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public ownership means the bank is normally open to anglers. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. 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. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Timberline Lake at 12 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Harry S Truman Reservoir carry more weight than any list.