Driving directions: Take Highway 50 west from Jefferson City to the Apache Flats/St. Martin's exit, continue west on Bus. 50, turn right (north) at South Binder Lake Rd., left (west) on Rainbow Dr., and right (north) on Binder Lake Rd. This portion of Binder Lake Road winds along the west side of the lake, where you will find the boat ramp, docks, and jetties. Binder Lake (150 acres) is situated on Dickerson Creek in the Ozark border region on 710 acres of Jefferson City parkland. The park (managed by Jefferson City Parks and Recreation; 573-634-6482) contains numerous amenities including an RV campground, pavilions with picnic tables and barbecue grills, hiking trails, and public restrooms. The restrooms are open approximately April to November. The lake (managed by the Department of Conservation) has a concrete boat ramp, a disabled-accessible fishing dock and jetty, and two courtesy docks to assist boaters.
Annual Prospects Report
Binder Lake (150 acres) is situated on Dickerson Creek in the Ozark border region of Missouri on 710 acres of Jefferson City parkland. The park (managed by Jefferson City Parks and Recreation; 573-634-6482) contains numerous amenities including an RV campground, pavilions with picnic tables and barbecue grills, hiking trails, and public restrooms. The restrooms are open approximately April to November. The lake (managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation) has a concrete boat ramp, a disabled-accessible fishing dock and jetty, and two courtesy docks to assist boaters. Largemouth bass fishing should be as good in 2026 as it was in 2025. Electrofishing samples of bass in 2025 resulted in 38% of fish over 15" and 23% over 18". Bluegill fishing will be about the same in 2026 as in 2025. Bluegill populations continue to be concentrated in the 6-8" range. In the fall of 2025, the Missouri Department of Conservation stocked 4,000 additional channel catfish. The fish were 8-12" when stocked, so in 1-2 years these fish will make nice fillets. Spring of 2025 electrofishing sampling showed redear sunfish are numerous in the 7-9". White crappie and black crappie spring and fall sampling resulted in the majority of the fish in the 6-9" range with the largest white crappie measuring 19".
Take Highway 50 west from Jefferson City, MO, to the Apache Flats/St. Martin's exit, continue west on Business 50 for 1.2 miles. Turn right (north) on South Binder Lake Road. Go 0.3 miles and then turn left (west) on Rainbow Drive. Go 0.2 miles, crossing over the upper end of Binder Lake, and then turn right on Binder Park Road. Binder Park Road winds along the west side of the lake where there are docks, a boat ramp, and jetties.
Best Bets
