Wappapello Lake also referred to as Lake Wappapello, built in 1941 by the Army Corps of Engineers on the St. Francis River in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in southeastern Missouri for flood control, provides 8,400 acres of recreational waters during the warmer months. During the winter, the water level is lowered to a conservation pool of 5,200 acres in preparation for receiving spring flood waters.

Wappapello State Park provides opportunities for recreational activities from April through October. These include hiking, biking, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, horseback riding, hunting and wildlife viewing. The park also offers a visitor center, interpretive programs and historic & cultural sites.

Fishing

The most sought after fish in Wappapello Lake include largemouth bass, white bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish.

Fishing is permitted throughout the lake with the exception of areas at or near boat ramps or around the swimming beach. Several underwater fish shelters created with sunken brush around Wappapello Lake are marked with buoys and available for public use.

Wappapello Lake holds the state record for producing two of Missouri's largest fish. In 1989, Mary Yount caught a Black Buffalo that weighed 53 pounds and in 1994, Jerry Cox caught a Brown Bullhead that weighed two-pounds seven-ounces.

  Search Wappapello Lake Resources
     Coordinates:
36.9319N -90.2792W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
8,400 acres
Maximum Depth:
45 ft
Elevation:
360 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
6-10 ft
Major City:
St. Louis
Airport:
St. Louis

Wappapello Lake welcomes all boat and motor types and sizes and provides six marinas around the lake to provide services. The full-service marinas provide boat rentals, boating and fishing supplies, fuel and groceries.

Several public boat launch ramps provide ample and easy access to the lake.

• MO Fishing Licenses
• MO 2012 Statewide Limits and Regulations
• MO Fish Consumption Advisories
• Lake Wappapello State Park
• Missouri Department of Conservation