Matthews Lake Fishing in Audrain County, Missouri

• Overview

  In Missouri, Matthews Lake belongs to Audrain County. The water sits 876 feet up. At 22 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The closest town, Mexico, is 8.6 miles distant. Centralia is 8.9 miles and Hallsville 10 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish. It is easier to fish well than to fish quickly.

• Where to Fish on Matthews Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Records held for Audrain County cover johnny darter, green sunfish, black bullhead and bluegill. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Matthews Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 26°F to 77°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Time your trip to Matthews Lake by conditions rather than dates. A rising level after rain switches things on for a day or two.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Paul Veale Lake, 2.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. For Matthews Lake in particular, ask before you travel.