Lake Viking, Missouri: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake Viking is one of the Daviess County waters in Missouri. The water sits 860 feet up. At some 553 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The perimeter runs near 9.5 miles, so plan the walk before you start. By size it stands out even at Missouri level. For a base, Gallatin sits 5.6 miles out. East Independence sits 60 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Viking

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Across Daviess County, recorded fish include channel catfish, bluegill and common carp. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Lake Viking the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 77°F, the coldest about 25°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Break-up comes around early March, and the run that follows is short and strong. Averages place the thaw at early March and the freeze at late December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. On Lake Viking the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. A toilet block sits half a mile away. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Hamilton Reservoir sits 12 miles off and takes the overflow. For Lake Viking in particular, ask before you travel.