Wappapello
Lake 
Wappapello
Lake About Wappapello Lake Wappapello Lake, located in southeastern Missouri, is a Corps of Engineers lake that was built for flood control. The St. Francis River along with nearby springs and creeks supply the water for Wappapello Lake. The lake is unique in that the water level is held at two pools. During the winter months, Wappapello is lowered to the conservation pool of 5,200 acres in preparation for spring flooding. During the warmer months, the lake is raised to a recreational pool level of 8,400 acres. As the colder months approach, Wappapello Lake is again lowered.
The Wappapello Lake area offers numerous recreational activities which include boating, fishing, water skiing, sailing, camping, hunting, and hiking. Primitive and modern camping facilities are available along with numerous lodging facilities around the lake. For water sports, there are plenty of boat ramps around the lake along with six marinas, Barrett's, Bowman's, Holliday Landing, Lost Creek Lodge, Sundowner, and Wappapello State Park, some of which are full service and provide fuel and boat rentals.
Wappapello Lake is made up of a main lake with small arms and coves. The shoreline is made up of mud, gravel, rock, bluffs, and standing timber during recreational pool levels. The main channel and creek beds are lined with stumps that were left when the lake was created, and can provide excellent fishing all year around. Available fish in Wappapello include Black Bass, White Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Catfish. To help with fishing, fish shelters have been created with sunken brush. These shelters, which are available for public use, are marked with buoys. Maps are available from Wappapello Lake showing the location of the fish shelters.
Detailed Lake Information:
Type of Lake: Hilland
Average Depth of Lake: 15 feet
Average Water Temperature:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:65
85
70
30
Spring Thaw: Late January
Fall Turnover: October
* Lake Wappapello will freeze over during hard winters.Heavy Rains: Affects entire lake with the south end clearing up in 3 days, and the north end clearing up in 7 days.
Winds:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:Windy
Calm
Mild
MildDetailed Lake Characteristics:
This information describes the makeup of the bottom, shoreline, structure, and water color for various parts of Lake Wappapello.
Main lake Area:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Gravel, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps, Falldowns
Clear
Caldwell Creek:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps, Falldowns, Roads, Flats
Stained
Page Branch:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Bluffs, Weeds
Trees, Stumps, Falldowns, Flats
Clear
Perkins Branch:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps, Falldowns
Stained
Lost Creek:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps
Clear
Mule Camp/Spring Hollow:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Falldowns
Clear
Possum Hollow:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Gravel, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps, Falldowns
Clear
Gum Spring Hollow:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Gravel, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps
Clear
State Park Area:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Gravel, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps, Falldowns
Clear
Miliam Hollow:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Gravel, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps, Falldowns
Clear
Strickland Point:
Bottom:
Shoreline:
Structure:
Water Color:-Mud
Mud, Rock, Bluffs, Weeds
Rocks, Bluffs, Trees, Stumps
ClearDetailed Fishing Information:
Main Forage: Shad, Crayfish
Average time of year when fish spawn:
Bass:
Crappie:
Bluegill:
White Bass:
Catfish:
Carp:April-May
April
May-June
March-April
May-June
AprilBest baits to use during seasons:
Bass:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:Crankbaits
Plastic Worms
Spinnerbaits
Crankbaits
Crappie:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:Minnows, Jigs
Minnows
Minnows, Jigs
Minnows
Bluegill:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:Worms
Crickets, Worms
Worms
Worms
White Bass:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:Jigs, Spoons
Spoons
Jigs, Spoons
Spoons
Catfish:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:Cut & Live Bait
Cut & Live Bait
Cut & Live Bait
Worms
Carp:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:Worms
Cotton Seed, Corn
Worms
Worms
Night Fishing Conditions:
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter:Fair
Fair
Fair
FairWappapello Lake Guides:
Joe Blattel
Holliday Landing
Route 1, Box 46
Greenville, MO 63944
314-224-3430For more information contact:
Wappapello Lake Management Office
HC 2, Box 2349
Wappapello, MO 63966
314-222-8562
