Fishing at Hartel Lakes, Clinton County, Missouri

• Overview

  Hartel Lakes lies within the bounds of Clinton County, Missouri. It lies 955 feet above sea level. You are 3.7 miles from Plattsburg. Then Lathrop, 5.2 miles, and Gower, 11 miles. Also on the doorstep: Hartell Lake within 0.2 miles, Plattsburg Old Reservoir sits 3.2 miles out, Newby Lake within 4.5 miles, Morse Lake sits 9.4 miles out and Lake Allaman within 11 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Hartel Lakes

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Public occurrence data for Clinton County names green sunfish, bluegill, johnny darter, largemouth bass and common carp. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Hartel Lakes gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 77°F in July and bottom out at 25°F in January. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Hartel Lakes runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. There is a launch about 110 yards from the bank. Parking is close: a car park sits 50 yards from the bank. There is a pier recorded roughly 90 yards away. There are toilets half a mile off. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Hartell Lake at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. For Hartel Lakes in particular, ask before you travel.