Annual Prospects Report
Mark Twain Lake (18,600 acres) is located in Ralls and Monroe counties in northeast Missouri.
The St. Louis US Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the Missouri Department of Conservation, have placed numerous fish attractors in portions of Mark Twain Lake. A map of these locations is available by visiting the following web links: https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Mark-Twain-Lake/Maps/. Fish attractors have been added to both deep and shallow water. Some fish attractor locations can be accessed by shore. Bass and crappie anglers have reported success from targeting fish at the attractors. In 2025, fish attractors were added in Lick Creek and near the State Park in South Fork.
In 2025, on average, drought conditions continued at Mark Twain Lake and ranged from abnormally dry to severe drought, with water levels peaking at 613 ft for only a few days in April and July. From April to June water levels ranged from 613 to 605 ft.
Largemouth bass electrofishing surveys conducted in 2025 showed a 72 percent increase in overall bass catch rates compared to 2023. This increase is likely attributed to stable and higher water levels (above 615 ft) from April to the end of May in 2024. Notably, no electrofishing surveys were carried out in 2024 due to these elevated water levels. The catch rates observed in 2025 are comparable to those from 2018. While the catch rates have improved since 2023, bass anglers may find that only 18 percent of the bass caught are 15 inches or greater, with just 3 percent of those measuring between 20 to 22 inches. Historically, recruitment has been low, but our 2025 survey indicated the highest catch rate of young-of-the-year bass we have seen in five years. This suggests a strong year class of bass is developing in Mark Twain Lake, which could provide good fishing for several years. The best opportunities for bass fishing will occur in the spring and fall, particularly around points, rocky banks, brush piles, fish attractors, and docks.
White crappie and black crappie fishing on Mark Twain Lake is expected to be fair in 2026. The fall survey of 2025 revealed a decrease in catch rates for both white and black crappie. Over 60 percent of the crappies measured between 5 to 8 inches, which is a decline compared to the 2024 survey. In 2024, capture rates for young-of-the-year crappie were higher than they had been in several years, contributing to the increased catch rates of up to 8-inch crappie for 2026. Anglers can expect to catch more crappie measuring 8 to 10 inches in the spring of 2026 compared to 2025. However, less than one percent of the catches will be 12 inches or larger. The best fishing is anticipated to occur in late April and early May, when crappie can be found in shallow waters and caught using jigs or minnows.
This year, there has been a significant increase in white bass caught in our crappie trap nets, averaging around 12 to 15 inches. The best opportunities for white bass angling can be found by targeting windy points, submerged islands, and long-sloping points using artificial lures or shad. Anglers will have the most success during early spring when these fish are spawning on riffles in tributary streams, as well as in the summer when they feed on schooling shad or gather over underwater humps and mud flats. Walleye abundance remains low in the lake; however, anglers have reported catches higher than average in the past several years. Although a walleye fish kill occurred in 2025, anglers continue to report catches in the lake following this event. It is advisable for anglers to consider walleye fishing in the lake's tributary streams during early spring, where recently conducted tributary stream stockings have increased the walleye population. Catfish anglers can expect good fishing to continue this year. Channel catfish are abundant, and many blue and flathead catfish exceeding 25 pounds are caught each year using trotlines, bank lines, and jugs. In recent years, anglers have had significant success capturing blue catfish on trotlines and jugs baited with cut shad or herring. Catfish anglers tend to do best in the upper sections of North Fork, Middle Fork, South Fork, and Indian Creek arms.
