Fishing at Valle Lake, Jefferson County, Missouri

• Overview

  Valle Lake lies within the bounds of Jefferson County, Missouri. The setting is open valley on every side. Surface area is around 42 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. About 1.3 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. It is among the larger waters listed here for Jefferson County. The closest town, De Soto, is 6.5 miles distant. Bonne Terre is 9.1 miles and Terre du Lac 11 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Valle Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. 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 Jefferson County cover orangethroat darter, longear sunfish and rainbow darter. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Valle Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 30°F and July at about 77°F, the water has a wide range to work through. In milder years the surface never sets. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. The season on Valle Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Sunrise Lake at 1.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing here settles the position at Valle Lake for certain.