Lake of the Woods Fishing Guide, Saint Louis County, Missouri

• Overview

  Missouri holds Lake of the Woods, in Saint Louis County. It sits in open valley country. About 2 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Saint Louis County. For supplies, Oakville is 1.4 miles out. The big place round here is St. Louis, 12 miles distant. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake of the Woods

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Survey and observation records for Saint Louis County include bluegill, green sunfish and channel catfish. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Read Lake of the Woods before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 79°F, with January the cold end at about 29°F. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. On Lake of the Woods the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Columbia Sportsman Club Lake at 6 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Lake of the Woods before loading the car.