Lake Cherokee, Missouri: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  This water sits in Washington County, Missouri. It stands 899 feet above sea level. Leadwood lies 4.5 miles from the water. It is 60 miles to St. Louis, the nearest city. Water in the same corner: Irondale Lake just 1.6 miles, Potosi Lake roughly 3.6 miles, Donald Straus Lake just 3.8 miles, Vineyards Lake roughly 4.8 miles and Lac Marseilles just 5 miles. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Cherokee

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Species logged across Washington County include fantail darter, rainbow darter, greenside darter and orangethroat darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Lake Cherokee responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 30°F to 77°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake Cherokee. A rising level usually fishes better than a falling one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. 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. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Irondale Lake, 1.6 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. The position on Lake Cherokee is worth confirming on the day.