Introduction
Lake Taneycomo is in Taney County in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Its clear, cold waters flow from its uppermost portion, by Hollister, the heart of downtown Branson, and Branson Landing on their way into Bull Shoals Lake and down the White River to the Mississippi River, providing one of the best Rainbow and Brown fisheries in the nation.
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What a combination for families: a great Taneycomo experience and Branson, Missouri, America’s most patriotic city whose philosophy of Faith, Family, Flag, and Fun is the foundation of what makes it one of America’s premier vacation travel destinations.
Lake Taneycomo History
Lake Taneycomo is a man-made impoundment of the White River created when the Powersite Dam was finished in 1913 by the Empire Electric Company. Originally, it was a warm water lake throughout its whole length. This changed in 1958 with the completion of Table Rock Dam and the filling of Table Rock Lake about 23 miles upstream from the Powersite Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Table Rock Dam with two goals: flood control and power generation. Although the water temperature drops the further you get downstream from TableRock Dam, for all practical purposes, the average temperature of the water coming from generating power out of the generators at the hydroelectric plant at the foot of the dam controls the depth of the lake, current speed, and an average temperature of about 48 degrees F with the colder water closest to the dam with progressively warmer water as you move downstream from the dam.
What makes Lake Taneycomo Fishing unique among other lakes?
Taneycomo is unique among other lakes due to its cold-water characteristics, created by the release of water from the bottom of Table Rock Lake. This results in ideal conditions for fishing, as the lake is stocked with rainbows and browns, providing a year-round destination for anglers.
Why is Lake Taneycomo Trout Fishing Successful?
Fishing Taneycomo is successful for two reasons. The cool temperature of the water flowing through the generators at Table Rock Dam, an abundance of scuds and midges, and the excellent management program of the Missouri Department of Conservation through its Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery at the foot of Table Rock Dam. In addition, its Trophy Management program, the Closed Zone, is in the uppermost portion of the lake, running from the foot of the dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. The Department stocks about 15,000 Brown and 560,000 Rainbow Trout into the lake annually. This combination of cold, clear water, abundant food supply, and the number of fish makes Lake Taneycomo one of the finest trout fishing destinations in the Nation.
License, Trout Permits, and Special Regulations
License
Unless exempted, a Missouri Fishing License is required to fish anywhere on Lake Taneycomo. For information from the Missouri Department of Conservation and/or to purchase a license online, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
Trout Permit
Whenever fishing the waters of Taneycomo, in addition to the requirement of a Missouri Fishing License, you must consider whether you must have a Trout Permit . You must have it to be in possession of trout at any time and anywhere on the lake. In addition, you MUST have the Permit whenever fishing upstream from the U.S. Highway 65 bridge, whether or not you possess or intend to possess them. Merely fishing in this area triggers the requirement for the Permit. This covers the foot of the dam downstream through the Closed Zone, Fall Creek, Trout Hollow, Lillys Landing, the Cooper Creek Access area, Monkey Island, etc.
Size, Limits, and Special Regulations
Fishing Inside the Closed Zone
The Closed Zone goes from shallow colder water 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Within this zone, there is a slot length limit for Rainbow Trout. Rainbows between 12 to 20 inches must immediately be released, as well as any Brown less than 20 inches. Within the size limitations, a total of four trout may be in possession of which only one may be a Brown. Only artificial lures and flies may be used. Soft plastic baits, bait fishing, and natural and scented baits are prohibited. This prohibition would, among others, exclude the use of Power Bait or Eggs, night crawlers, and soft plastic lures such as the Trout Magnet. Only pole and line fishing, such as fly rod fishing, spin fishing, etc., is permitted. No methods, such as gigging or jug fishing, are permitted. The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.
Fishing Outside of the Closed Zone
There is no slot length limit for Rainbow Trout, and any size may be kept, as well as any Browns 20 inches or more. There is a daily limit of four trout, of which one (1) may be a Brown, and all the general fishing baits, such as power bait and eggs, night crawlers, soft plastic lures such as Trout Magnets, etc., may be used as well as other methods of fishing besides pole and line may be used. The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.
Bait and Lures to Use, Where to Fish, etc.
It changes by the minute
For the best experience, you will want to know where to fish, what they’re “biting on today,” etc. Although volumes could be written on that, it could change in a minute based on the water coming over or through Table Rock Dam, which can change hourly, temperature, cloud cover, and other weather factors.
Guides and Other Sources
The best advice I can give first-time fishermen on Taneycomo is to use the services of a “good guide.” Half a day with a “good guide” will give you a PhD worth of information on how to fish the lake effectively. Getting a guide through one of the trout resorts or marinas on the lake, such as Fall Creek Marina, Trout Hollow Lodge, Lilly’s Landing, Scotty’s Trout Dock, etc., or fly shops near the dam, such as River Run Outfitters or Anglers Outfitters will help get a “good guide” who knows trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo.
Any of the sources in the preceding paragraph will be delighted to answer your question and give you the best current information they have so that you can have a great fishing experience on Lake Taneycomo.
