Hart Lake, Missouri: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Missouri, Hart Lake belongs to Sainte Genevieve County. Elevation runs to 853 feet. Small at around 6 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Some 7.1 miles away sits Farmington, the nearest settlement. Esther lies 10 miles off, Flat River another 11 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water. It goes down as a reservoir on the record.

• Where to Fish on Hart Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. 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. County-wide records name longear sunfish, rainbow darter and bluegill. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Hart Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 77°F and January reads 30°F. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. That is the shape of the year on Hart Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Lake Genevieve is 1.1 miles off. The position on Hart Lake is worth confirming on the day.