Lac Bourbon in Saint Francois County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lac Bourbon falls in Saint Francois County, part of Missouri. The country here is open valley. The water measures roughly 7 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. The closest town, Terre du Lac, is 0.5 miles away. Leadwood lies 3.6 miles off, Bonne Terre another 4.4 miles. What else is close: Lac Darcie at 0.2 miles, 0.4 miles away is Lac Michel, Lac Bergerac at 0.4 miles, 0.5 miles away is Lac Catalina and Lac Capri at 0.6 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Lac Bourbon

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Records held for Saint Francois County cover rainbow darter, greenside darter and fantail darter. The county list is broader than any single water. On Lac Bourbon a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 77°F for July and 30°F for January. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Lac Bourbon runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Lac Darcie is 0.2 miles off. The position on Lac Bourbon is worth confirming on the day.