Mark Twain Lake is a great place for anglers to spend some time. The lake is briming with a veriety of species and there have been some large fish taken from the lake.

Bass

Largemouth bass are abundant throughout Mark Twain Lake. There is a high density of bass over 15" long, and some fish over 20" have been caught. The largest caught in 2000 was 21 1/2 inches long and wieghed 7 lbs. One out of every three bass caught should be over the legal length of 15".

Catfish

There are three verieties of catfish in Mark Twain Lake. Channel catfish, flathead catfish and blue catfish are all available in good numbers. Flathead and blue catfish that top 50 pounds are not uncommon in the lake. Pole and line, jugs and trotlines are all acceptable forms of catching these fish.

Crappie

Slab crappie numbers in Mark Twain Lake have been phenomenal in recent years. In the spring, the lake is one of the hottest places in the midwest to catch these fish. Since 1998, the numbers of crappie over 9" has incresased by 60-percent. Biologists said that anglers in 2000 caught one 9" or longer crappie for every 5 or 6 caught, that more than doubled the numbers from 1999. 2001 should bring more of the same.

Walleye

There are walleye in the lake. Their numbers are not as large as the other fish that call Mark Twain Lake their home, but fish exceeding 22" are present. The best area to fish for these large fish is the Indian Creek area. There is a minimum length limit for walleye, which is 15", it is possible to find several fish larger than that in the lake.

White Bass

White bass numbers in Mark Twain Lake have stabilized. Open water action should be fast at times in the lake while the fish feed on schooling shad or congregate over underwater humps. White bass numbers are so good, that they draw close to 200 tournaments each year.

These are the main species that live in Mark Twain Lake. There are others, such as carp that can be caught as well. Bowfishermen are also welcome at the lake, and each year they are able to get carp, buffalo and gar weighing more the 15 pounds. Fishing in the lake begins to get going when the water teperatuees get into the upper 40s. This ususally happens in late March.