In Season Now: St. Louis Fishing · Oct. 30
In peak season
- Black Bass (impoundments) Year-Round
From this page's species calendar. Check current the state wildlife agency size and creel limits before you fish.
HERE St. Louis
St. Louis MO
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, MDC regulations, and community fishing coverage for City of St. Louis lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 3 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌖
Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 73%
66°F
63°F
6 mph
1024
as of 7:40 PM ET
Good — fish activity improving as moonlight decreases. Morning bites pick up.
City of St. Louis • Greater St. Louis MO
Your Local Fishing Resource
St. Louis anglers fish the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and MDC conservation-area lakes nearby. MDC sets the limits; see the seasons below.
Current Conditions • St. Louis Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
ACTIVE
Catfish feeding well in spring and fall. Target deeper holes and channel swings.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for City of St. Louis waters. Always verify MDC regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
66F
Clear
Feels like 66°F
as of 7:40 PM ET
Wind
6 mph E
Humidity
63%
Pressure
1024 hPa
Est. Water Temp
63°F
Moon
Waning Gibbous
Sunrise / Sunset
7:25 am / 6:03 pm
Location
St. Louis, MO
On-the-Water Tips
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
66°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
6 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1024 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌖
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Mostly Cloudy
70° / 60°
5 mph wind
GOOD
SAT
Chance Rain Showers
73° / 60°
6 mph wind
GOOD
SUN
Rain Showers Likely
67° / 57°
7 mph wind
GOOD
MON
Chance Rain Showers
69° / 62°
11 mph wind
GOOD
TUE
Rain Showers
72° / 57°
18 mph wind
FAIR
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
3 fishing waters within City of St. Louis — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Mississippi River
River
Blue Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Channel Catfish
White Bass
Freshwater Drum
The Mississippi runs along the city's eastern edge below the Missouri River confluence. Strong current and barge traffic; fish from public access points.
MDC lists public river accesses in the St. Louis area.
Angler Tip
Fish current breaks and wing dikes for catfish.
Missouri River
River
Blue Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Channel Catfish
The Missouri meets the Mississippi just north of St. Louis.
Public accesses include Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.
Angler Tip
Check river stages before you go.
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area lakes
Lake
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Channel Catfish
An MDC conservation area with a series of fishing lakes.
Managed by MDC; check area rules for boat and motor limits.
Angler Tip
Read the area's posted regulations at the lake.
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a St. Louis-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
No St. Louis-area fishing guides are listed yet.
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Community
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Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from St. Louis anglers.
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Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — St. Louis and Greater St. Louis
Missouri
Official
St. Louis fishing
No new St. Louis-area fishing stories this week. Check current Missouri fishing rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for St. Louis and Greater St. Louis MO
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the St. Louis angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Greater St. Louis MO waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Greater St. Louis MO Waters
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MDC Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for City of St. Louis waters. Always verify current regulations at mdc.mo.gov.
MO Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — St. Louis Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference. Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Missouri Department of Conservation at mdc.mo.gov before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Year-Round
Black Bass (impoundments)
Open all year on impounded lakes; daily limit 6. Ozark streams have a separate season.
Nov 13, 2026 – Feb 8, 2027
Trout: Catch-and-Release (trout parks)
Flies only at Maramec Spring, Bennett Spring, Montauk and Roaring River.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical City of St. Louis water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. MDC trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit mdc.mo.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the St. Louis area, answered.
-
Yes. Anglers need a Missouri fishing license to fish public waters. See MDC at mdc.mo.gov for current license ages, fees and any free fishing days.
-
City of St. Louis has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult MDC for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream.
-
The best crappie fishing in City of St. Louis is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for St. Louis lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult MDC for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near St. Louis typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult MDC for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
MDC stocks select City of St. Louis waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the MDC website at https://mdc.mo.gov/ — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current MDC schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near St. Louis.
FISHING NEWS NEAR ST. LOUIS MO
Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.