Settle Mine Tailings Pond in Washington County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Missouri holds Settle Mine Tailings Pond, in Washington County. Elevation runs to 945 feet. At roughly 8 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Our Washington County list holds plenty of bigger water. Potosi lies 1.2 miles from the water. After that come Terre du Lac at 8.8 miles and Leadwood at 12 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Settle Mine Tailings Pond

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Across Washington County, recorded fish include fantail darter, rainbow darter, greenside darter and orangethroat darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Settle Mine Tailings Pond gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 77°F and January near 30°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Plan any trip to Settle Mine Tailings Pond around it. Late evening often out-fishes the whole afternoon.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, Hornsey Brothers Lake is 4.8 miles distant. Treat access at Settle Mine Tailings Pond as something to verify.