Potosi Lake Fishing in Washington County, Missouri

• Overview

  Washington County in Missouri is where Potosi Lake sits. The land about it is farm and woodlot. It runs to roughly 25 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Nearest place of any size is Terre du Lac, 3.7 miles away. Beyond it, Leadwood at 5 miles and Potosi at 6.8 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Potosi Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. County-wide records name fantail darter, rainbow darter and greenside darter. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Potosi Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 77°F, with January the cold end at about 30°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Plan any trip to Potosi Lake around it. Long dry spells drop the level and concentrate them.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Lac Bourbon, 3.2 miles out. Signs at Potosi Lake carry more weight than any list.