Wappapello Lake Fishing
Crappie fishing will continue to be good. Most of the white crappie will be 6-11", with a few up to 14". Only a small percentage of black crappie will be longer than 9”. A 9” minimum length limit began on March 1, 2006. All crappie <9” must be released unharmed immediately after being caught. The daily limit of 30 crappie did not change. Largemouth bass angling should be good and similar to recent years. Most of the bass will be 8-15", with good numbers up to 20”, and an occasional larger bass. There is no size limit for black bass, and anglers are encouraged to harvest ALL bass <11", up to the daily limit of six. This should allow the remaining bass to grow faster, resulting in more larger bass. Bluegill fishing should again be good, with many 6-8" fish. Sunfish anglers can also expect to catch redear sunfish, warmouth, green sunfish, and longear sunfish. Channel catfish are common, especially along the dam. A few large flathead and blue catfish are also present.
Fish Shelter Map
Many species of wildlife thrive at Wappapello Lake on the 44,000 acre project. Deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, coyote, dove, quail, ducks and geese are all abundant here and are perfectly legal to hunt during their respective seasons. Each year food plots are planted and agriculture lessee's leave 10% of their crops in the fields. Through wildlife management activities like these we are able to provide a food source for migrating birds and wintering indigenous wildlife.
Missouri law requires any hunter born after January 1st, 1967 to complete a hunter safety education course before they can obtain a Missouri hunting license.
As you travel across Wappapello Dam, you are likely to see a panorama of water sports in progress - people fishing, boating, waterskiing, and enjoying over 8,400 acres of beautiful water meandering through the Ozark Foothills. The lake's irregular and wooded shoreline provides and almost endless string of secluded coves attractive to boaters from all walks of life. If your interest lies beneath the water, fishing the coves is a delight to avid anglers. Twenty-six boat ramps provide easy access to the lake. Once on the open water, several marinas are available to meet your boating needs. Courtesy docks are also available at Chaonia, Greenville, Peoples Creek, Redman Creek and Rockwood Point boat ramps.
Location of Marinas on the lake
FIREWOOD ALERT!!!!!: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would like for you to be aware of the potential serious threat to our Nation's forest from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The EAB is a small insect that feeds on and kills ash trees and is transported via infested wood products, including firewood. Please visit the following website: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/ , to see if your area of the state has been infected and help us to slow down the progression of this pest by not bringing firewood with you to our campgrounds.
Camping enthusiasts will find that there is truly something for everyone at Wappapello Lake. Traditional and primitive camping are available. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis unless reserved. Facilities, at the campgrounds, differ and may include electrical hookups, showers, restrooms, grills, tables, drinking water and boat mooring facilities. Camping is permitted up to fourteen days in a thirty consecutive day period at Redman Creek, Peoples Creek and Greenville Campgrounds and primitive camping areas.
Chaonia Campground (Snow Creek) has 12 non-electric sites, fire rings, a comfort station and is water accessible. The fee to camp at this facility is $9 per night. A responsible person must register and pay for the site at the honor vault. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Chaonia Campground is open all year with a 14 day limit per stay.
Overflow Camping - Overflow camping at Greenville Special Event Area and below the Dam is only open when all public and private campgrounds in the surrounding area are full. The camping fee when available is $3 per night for primitive sites.
Island Camping - Two large islands in the southern portion of the lake have six campsites. Each campsite has a fire ring, lantern post and picnic table. The fee to camp at these sites is $9 per night. A responsible person must register and pay for the site using the honor vault at Rockwood Point Boat Ramp, the Redman Creek fee booth, or the Project Office. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis. These sites are open all year with a 14 day limit per stay.Download a printable map of the island campsites. Click Here
Primitive Camping
A northern primitive camping zone has been designated on all Corps public lands south of Hwy 34 to PA 34 (access north Greenville) on the east side of the St. Francis River and on all Corps public land on the west side, north of where Hwy FF intersects with Hwy 67. Camping is not allowed in the Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Area north of Hwy 34. Camping in these areas is free and available year round.
The southern primitive camping zone includes:
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Areas within 100 feet of 19 designated parking areas south of U.S. Highway 67 with no facilities.
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Blue Springs and Lost Creek Landing parking areas with grills.
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Sulphur Springs and Possum Creek parking areas with grills and a vault restroom.
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Johnson Tract Natural Area with two backpacking sites with grills.
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Within 100 feet of the Ozark Trail in areas south of Hwy 67.
Primitive campers are required to register at either the Wappapello Lake Project Office, the Greenville or Redman Creek fee booths or honor vaults.
| Three beaches offer swimmers sunshine with plenty of shade only a few yards away on the shore. The beaches, located at Peoples Creek, Redman Creek, and Rockwood Point Recreation Areas, are wonderful places for the entire family to spend an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing. When visiting the beaches at Wappapello Lake, always observe and obey the posted beach rules and regulations. Use the buddy system and wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Also, a responsible person should keep an eye on children. |
Picnic facilities are located around the lake for just about any size picnic you want to put together. Group shelters are ideal for large get-togethers, family reunions and company picnics. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis or may be reserved. Reservations may be made by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777, or by accessing the World Wide Web at http://ReserveUSA.com. A Reservation may be made up to 240 days in advance or as little as 4 days in advance. You will be able to make up to four reservations with one phone call. The reservation fee is $50. In addition, play courts and playground equipment are near these shelters. The large number of individual picnic sites are perfect for family fun. These sites are located to provide pleasant, relaxing settings. Drinking water and restrooms are conveniently available in most picnic areas
Wappapello Lake offers naturalists a variety of scenic trail experiences. Whether you want to take in views of the lake and wildlife on a leisurely stroll or backpack in a primitive setting on a vigorous hike, there are great trails you can use to explore our beautiful woodland areas. Pine Ridge, Lost Creek and Johnson Tract Trails are part of the National Trails System. Greenville Historic Walk, "Memory Lane", is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Ozark Trail is part of a 500-mile trail system. Lake Wappapello State Park also provides backpacking and hiking trails.
More on activities includiing hiking , sightseeing , picnic , areas , playgrounds , hiking trails , and more is available on our Recreation Areas page.
Wappapello Lake
Management Lands
On Highway 34 about 2.5 miles west of Highway 67.
This area has forest, old fields, and cropland. Facilities/features: primitive camping, hiking trail, designated horse trail, and 3 permanent streams (St. Francis River, Logan Creek and Clark Creek). No access to Wappapello Lake from these lands.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bicycling |
On Ozark Trail only. |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Camping along Roads and Parking Lots |
No amenities provided. |
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. White bass during the spring. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. Walleye and goggle-eye |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Hiking |
Ozark Trail and interior access roads and trails. |
| Horseback Riding |
Restricted to the Ozark Trail. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Dove |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Quail |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Waterfowl |
Fair population. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishless Pond |
|
2 |
1.00 acres |
These are small wildlife watering holes. |
| Stream - Permanent |
Logan Creek |
1 |
1.00 miles |
1 mile of frontage |
| Stream - Permanent |
Clark Creek |
1 |
1.00 miles |
1 mile of frontage |
| Stream - Permanent |
St. Francis River |
1 |
4.00 miles |
4 miles of frontage |
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Crop Land |
140.00 |
|
| Forest and Woodland |
1037.00 |
|
| Wetland |
7.00 |
|
| Grassland (non-prairie) |
696.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
1880.00 |
|
