Fishing Seven Springs Lake in Phelps County, Missouri

• Overview

  The Phelps County end of Missouri holds Seven Springs Lake. Elevation runs to 1,056 feet. About 21 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It sits higher than most water we list in Missouri. The nearest town is Salem, 12 miles away. It is 89 miles to Columbia, the nearest city. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Seven Springs Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Phelps County records list rainbow darter, rainbow trout and longear sunfish among the fish reported. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Seven Springs Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 77°F, while January sits near 30°F. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Seven Springs Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Number 113 Reservoir, 6.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Treat access at Seven Springs Lake as something to verify.