Spanish Lake Fishing Guide, Saint Louis County, Missouri

• Overview

  Within Saint Louis County, Missouri, you have Spanish Lake. The surroundings are rolling hill. Roughly 31 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Shoreline comes to about 1.3 miles, small enough to learn in a day. It lies lower than most water we list in Missouri. Spanish Lake at 0.9 miles is the nearest place to stop. For a city, St. Louis is 12 miles off. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Spanish Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Saint Louis County include bluegill, green sunfish, channel catfish, orangethroat darter and shortnose gar. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Spanish Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 79°F, the coldest about 28°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It sets the rhythm of the year at Spanish Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Launch at Spanish Lake, 170 yards from the water. Parking within 150 yards means no long carry with tackle. A pier 120 yards from here gives a platform over deeper water. A toilet block sits half a mile away. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Chouteau Slough is 4.7 miles off. Rules at Spanish Lake are worth checking on the day.