Missouri

Missouri Lake is a small, very shallow water connected to the Poplar River (a desginated trout stream) by its outlet, Missouri Creek. As late as 1995 it supported a small number of naturally-produced Brook Trout, and fairly high numbers of White Sucker. By 1999 Northern Pike had become established in the lake. Since then Brook Trout appear to have been eliminated, and White Sucker numbers have been greatly reduced. This survey was done to check the lake for new species introductions, and to determine whether it still held a remnant Brook Trout population. Northern Pike were abundant and surprisingly large in this lake in 2017. Despite slow growth caused by a lack of forage, several fish larger than 24 inches (up to 30 inches) in length were sampled. Fish as old as eight years were taken. On average they reached a length of just 21.7 inches by the end of their fifth year. No other fish species were found in 2017. Eight minnow traps set around the shoreline caught no fish. White Sucker and Brook Trout appeared to have been eliminated since 1995. Missouri Lake can be tough to find, but for an angler willing to do a little extra work to get there, it could provide some surprisingly good Northern Pike fishing.

Missouri Lake was one of very few lakes in this area that supported natural brook trout populations. Brook trout were last collected in the lake in 1995. In 1999, northern pike were found in the lake for the first time. This assessment is the third in a row to fail to collect brook trout. It is likely that the establishment of northern pike has been the primary reason that brook trout disappeared. Northern pike were not stocked; they probably made their way into the lake from the upper reaches of the Poplar River, via the lake's outlet channel. The northern pike catch in 2007 was just within the lower end of the normal range for a lake of this class. The catch included a few fish over 20 inches, but none larger than 25 inches in length. Growth had been fast compared to growth in similar lakes in the area, despite the apparent lack of forage. Minnow traps set during this assessment collected just a single dace.

The number of northern pike was below normal for lakes of this class. Northern pike of ages two, three, and four years and up to 21 in long were caught in 2003. Northern pike were found during the 1999 survey but not in surveys and assessments previous to 1999. An occasional brook trout occurs in Missouri Lake, probably immigrating from Missouri Creek or the Poplar River.White sucker were not caught during 2003, but have been caught during surveys and assessments before 2003. Missouri Lake fish populations seem to vary greatly in number and age structure from year to year, probably partly because of immigration and harsh winter conditions.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike and Brook Trout in Missouri. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Missouri. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Missouri has a maximum depth of 4 feet and a mean depth of 3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Missouri is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Missouri in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.