Long Branch Lake Fishing
category : Fishing
Long Branch Lake has an excellent reputation for bass fishing, but anglers can cast their lines for catfish, walleye and crappie as well. The lake's 24 miles of shoreline have many small coves that offer good fishing. Statewide fishing regulations apply. Long Branch State Park provides visitors with easy access to the lake with boat ramps in all three areas of the park. There is no fee to launch boats at Long Branch. The park's marina offers boat rentals, slips and a store. A partially covered accessible fishing dock is located near the beach.
During lake construction, trees were left standing in the Long Branch arm of the lake and in the coves along the East Fork arm to provide aquatic habitat when the lake filled. Many of the trees are still standing and will continue to provide habitat for years to come.
The Missouri Department of conservation has stocked the lake with game fish including largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead, blue catfish, bluegill and walleye. The Long Branch Lake fishery is managed on an ongoing basis by the Department of Conservation through regular monitoring of fish populations and management measures to maintain the fishing resource.
Walleye
Periodically, walleye fingerlings are stocked by the Department of Conservation to maintain the population. The most popular time to fish for walleye is during the spring spawn. During spawn, walleye seek out the rock riprap areas of the lake, particularly on the face of the dam. The spring spawn usually occurs over a two week period in late March or early April. The length limits for walleye 18" or longer.
Largemouth Bass
Long Branch is known for good-sized largemouth bass. As a general rule however, anglers usually catch fewer fish. The length limits for bass are 15" or longer.
Striped Bass
40,000 striped bass were stocked by the State Department in 2005.
Catfish
Long Branch is one of the best catfish lakes in the state, particularly for channel and blue catfish.
Crappie
In recent years crappie fishing efforts have usually resulted in relative large crappie with fewer than the limit caught.
Address: Hwy 36, 2 miles W of Macon, MO
Phone: 660 385-2108
Our Email: LongBranch@Nwk02.usace.army.mil
Come visit us in Long Branch Lake, Missouri