Missouri/Arkansas Lakes

[El and Bill]

Anyone do any fishing or cruising on the lakes in Missouri/Arkansas? How about Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Bull Shoals, Lake of the Ozarks, Beaver Lake, the Arkansas River??
Since the Corps has shut down the Missouri River, El and I are thinking of heading to Missouri/Arkansas for some fall color lake cruising and we're looking for any ideas from folks who know that area.

[Coastie Dory]

Hi El and Bill,

I can give you a little insight on the Missouri lakes. Lake of the Ozarks has gotten very commercialized but would probably be quite nice in the fall months. Much of the boating there runs from May to September. There are a lot of "go fast" boats there with some skippers who are not in tune with the rules of the road or responsible alcohol consumption. Most problems would occur during summer weekends and usually within 20 miles of Bagnell Dam. There are multiple arms of the lake with well over a thousand miles of shoreline to see.

Truman resivior is just up the Osage from Lake of the Ozarks. It is more of a fishing lake. I have never been to it so I am not much of an authority.

Mark Twain lake is a Corps of Engineers impound of the Salt river. There is not much commercial activity and the fishermen flock to it. I have only been on a part of the lake, but I think it would be quite pretty when the the leaves change.

The Arkansas/Southern Missouri lakes are spectacular. They have not been overrun yet by the general public and are enjoyed by fishermen. There is enough distance in latitude between all of these lakes that you could catch the fall peak on all of them. There is a 16 Cruiser on Bull Shoals.

Rend lake in southern Illinois is another small lake that might be worth taking in if you have extra time.

Best Wishes, Randy Sheehy.

[El and Bill]

Thanks for the ideas, Randy. Another couple of questions:
Would it be advisable to buy the Garmin Fishing Hot Spots Central Region chip to put into our Garmin 2006 chartplotter to navigate those lakes, or would buying the l(cheaper) ocal Fishing Maps be fine.
We have just heard the Missouri is closed to navigation by the Corps and that the water release will be greatly reduced from upstream dams. Also, that marinas will be closing so gas will be (even) harder to find. We have decided to make a rain check on our Missouri River cruise -- from your local experience, is that a wise choice and subsititute the MO/AR lakes instead?
Any experience on the Arkansas River you could share? Thanks

[Coastie Dory]

Hi El and Bill,

I have no experience with the Garmin Hot Spots version and I do not know the cost. The Fishing Hot Spots paper charts are very nice and not a lot of money(about $11 each I think). You will need two charts for Lake of the Ozarks and at least one for every other lake you plan to explore. In the end it may cost no more to buy the chip. I have used the paper charts on the Mississippi and found them to be very good. The paper is treated so it stands up to the elements excellent.

I have not checked in on the status of the Missouri river, but usually when the Corp closes the river it is to commercial traffic. The Coast Guard will close the river to all traffic in floods to prevent wake damage to levees and flooded structures. Low water closures should apply to barges because of their drafts and not a shallow draft recreational vessel.

Gasoline is an issue on the Missouri as well as any type of dock to tie up to. I think your plan to explore some of our lakes here is a nice alternative to the river cruise, especially if you can do the cruise at a later date. One alternative would be to launch at Jefferson City and go to St. Charles, St. Louis, or up into the Alton pool where Duane Erwin keeps Plan B. I would volunteer for any logistical issues you might have.

I have not been on the Arkansas, but it looks beautiful when I have crossed over it on the road. You could start up at Mark Twain Lake and move progressively south as the leaves change. You could finish up on the Arkansas river.

I missed meeting the two of you the last time you came through town. I would be delighted to get together for an evening. I'm sure Duane would be up for that as well.

Randy.

[El and Bill]

Thanks for the info Randy and the offer to be an assist with logistics, if necessary. We'd love to share a glass of an evening and swap tales. If we get up toward St. Louis we'll sure get in touch. Now, it appears that the lakes and the Arkansas River have the greatest appeal. Thanks again for the quick comeback.

[El and Bill]

Heading to the Arkansas River, hoping to launch on Friday and (with a slight mid-voyage weekend hiatus) cruise through the fall colors down to the Mississippi. Then, we hope to pull out of the Rivers and cruise gradually southerly through the lakes of Missouri and Arkansas (Lake of the Ozarks, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Mark Twain Lake, Norfolk Lake, Bull Shoals, Beaver Lake, Lake Ouachita) - some or all as time and weather permits. We have read that fall progresses southerly at 15 miles a day, so we ought to be able to keep up with the color for awhile.
There will be two C-Dorys on the Arkansas, and if others wish to join on the river or the lakes, it would be great!

[El and Bill]

An update on the Arkansas -- we launched at Sallisaw, OK and did a day cruise with DrJohn from Wichita area -- nice cruise together and good visiting. Then, the next day, we headed up the Arkansas to Three Rivers where we met Bruce (on SeeSaw) and his friend Larry. We, then made a U-turn and started down the river toward the Mississippi. We are now both tied off at Clarksville, AR for the weekend - he to do some looking at his property, we to visit ol' friends up on Harry S. Truman Reservoir. We are now in Joplin, MO returning to Clarksville. Hope to set off again tomorrow (or the next day) with Bruce on SeeSaw for for a tandem cruise down the last 230 miles to the Miss. Fall colors turning real nice here in MO-AR.

After reaching the Miss, El and I plan to haul out and do some lake cruising on Bull Shoals, Table Mtn., and Beaver Lakes.

El and Bill on Halcyon