Scott Lake Fishing Guide, Cole County, Missouri

• Overview

  Within Cole County, Missouri, you have Scott Lake. The surface lies 600 feet up. Small at around 10 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Wardsville is the closest place, 10 miles off. Columbia sits 42 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Scott Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Records held for Cole County cover orangethroat darter, green sunfish and bluegill. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Scott Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 78°F; by January the average is down near 30°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Scott Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Henley Lake, 5.2 miles out. Signs at Scott Lake carry more weight than any list.