Branson Missouri Lakes

Lakes

Before Branson became the live music capital of the world it was already known as one of the most popular fishing spots in the United States. The White River Basin in the Ozark Mountains is home to the best bass and trout fishing in the country. When the Powersite Dam and the Table Rock Dam were constructed, it changed the White River rapids into three unique fishing and of course recreational areas, which include Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals Lake, and Table Rock Lake. This gave visitors and vacationers year round enjoyable for fishing and the pleasure of pristine lakes with the Ozarks Mountain countryside.

Any of the three lakes in the Branson area will give you an adventure that you are not going to forget anytime soon, whether you wish to have a quiet picnic, scuba dive, parasail, water ski, swim, kayak, or just sit and fish you will have your choice of lakes.

Not only will you enjoy the activities on and around the Branson lakes but you will get a glimpse of the natural surroundings that have visitors coming back year after year such as deer, cranes, ducks, bald eagles, and of course the beautiful flora and Ozark Mountains. No other place in the US can offer such serene and magnificent surroundings for a day at the lake.

All three lakes have many wonderful recreational activities available where you can bring your own gear or rent it at one of the many rental offices along the lakes. You will enjoy the services that are available such as supplies, fuel, rentals including pontoon boats, bass boats, ski equipment, parasail, paddleboats, wave runners, scuba diving gear, sailboats, and houseboats. There are also many public beaches along the lakes at the resorts and even some wonderful campgrounds if you would rather camp. These spots are great and out of the way for anyone wishing for a swim.

Lake Taneycomo was a warm water lake until the construction of the Table Rock Dam; today it is a cold-water fishery, which is the perfect home for trout. Here you will find rainbow and brown trout, the kind you take home and mount on your wall. In 1998, one resident of Branson caught a world record brown trout in this very lake. The trout was 25 pounds and was 23.5 inches long.

Lake Taneycomo begins at Table Rock Dam and winds through downtown Branson and afar with many wonderful water activities along the way as well, such as swimming, fishing, boating and sight seeing cruises. One favorite cruise is the Sammy Lane Pirate Cruise, which departs from downtown Branson. It is a 70-minute cruise filled with folklore and a surprise pirate attack. Another unique cruise is the Lake Queen Cruise, which departs from downtown Branson and includes three delectable meals along with the sightseeing.

After Table Rock Dam was completed in 1958, Table Rock Lake was turned into a 52,300-acre lake with 857 miles of unique shoreline where each visitor can find many things to do from fishing to swimming. Table Rock Lake has national recognition for being one of the best bass fishing lakes in the entire US where you can find your fill of smallmouth, Kentucky spotted bass, largemouth, rock bass and white bass during their spring spawning. Early spring and late fall is also a great time for lunker bass. Summer months you will find crappie, bass, and large bluegill. April and May is the time of the year that the crappie spawn and their favorite places are around stumps, downed trees, and brush piles. Catfish are also spotted in creeks and coves.

Table Rock Lake offers many other activities such as cruises with breakfast, lunch or dinner of the Showboat Branson Belle with 2 hours of dining and entertainment. Enjoy a cruise on the Spirit of America at the State Park Marina. The American Star also offers wonderful cruises with meals and nostalgia.

Bull Shoals Lake is the host to many lunker fish tournaments throughout the year, which has produced stripers weighing over 50 pounds. Other record catches on Bull Shoals include a 21 lb., 1oz. walleye, a 5 lb., 5 oz. white bass and a 13 lb., 14 oz. largemouth bass. Other fish that you may find at the end of your line are small mouth bass, spotted bass, bream, catfish and crappie.

Bull Shoals Lake is known for its rugged and unique shoreline from Forsyth traveling all the way into Arkansas. A very quiet and serene atmosphere with many unique water activities including houseboat rentals can be enjoyed year round.

The Branson area lakes give you a family vacation where you will enjoy all that the Ozark Mountains have to offer for swimming, fishing, and relaxing along with a family vacation to remember. Choose your favorite lake from Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Taneycomo, or Table Rock Lake and spend the entire week or spread your days among the three and enjoy an entirely new experience.