Army Corps reservoir

Mark Twain Lake

Monroe / Ralls, Missouri

Mark Twain Lake is an 18,600-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir impounded by Clarence Cannon Dam on the Salt River in northeast Missouri. It has about 285 miles of shoreline and numerous ramps and two full-service marinas.

Air temp in Stoutsville, MO Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Mark Twain Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area18,600 acres

Max depth85 ft

Shoreline285 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

MDC rates Good; catch rates up since 2023; 15-in minimum

Crappie●●●○○

MDC rates Fair; typically 8-10 in; best late Apr-early May

White Bass●●●○○

MDC notes improved; 12-15 in; spring spawning runs

Channel Catfish●●●●○

MDC rates catfish Good; upper arms productive

Blue Catfish●●●○○

Present; 26-in minimum length limit

Flathead Catfish●●●○○

Present; 26-in minimum length limit

Walleye●○○○○

MDC rates Poor; low abundance; try tributaries in spring

Boat launches

6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Ray Behrens Recreation AreaPublic
Ramp near Blackjack Marina, PerryDirections ↗
Indian Creek Recreation AreaPublic
Ramp near Indian Creek MarinaDirections ↗
Spalding RampPublic
Near Monroe CityDirections ↗
Hunnewell AccessPublic
Ramp near ShelbinaDirections ↗
Route U RampPublic
Near StoutsvilleDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See MDC or the lake manager's website for all rampsDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Mark Twain Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Missouri Department of Conservation ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Missouri Department of Conservation before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Blackjack MarinaNearby
Ray Behrens Recreation Area, PO Box 310, Perry, MO 63462(573) 565-2233 Directions ↗
Indian Creek MarinaNearby
23111 Monroe Road 589, Monroe City, MO 63456(573) 735-4075 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Mark Twain Lake ↗

Local tips

Work points, rocky banks, brush piles, fish attractors and docks for bass.
Fish cut bait on trotlines or jugs in upper North, Middle, South Fork and Indian Creek arms for catfish.
Corps maps show mapped fish attractors.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More Missouri lakes

Lake Wappapello Pomme de Terre Lake Smithville Lake Thomas Hill Reservoir Long Branch Lake Lake Taneycomo Clearwater Lake Mozingo Lake All Missouri lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.