Lakes

The Branson Lakes Area is so known because of its three pristine lakes: Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals. Water sports enthusiasts can swim, water ski, wakeboard, tube, boat, sail, scuba dive, jet ski, parasail, kayak, and of course, fish. The lakes’ waters never freeze, welcoming visitors’ activities year-round. All three lakes offer resort lodging and picnicking facilities and easy access to the water at a number of public marinas and boat docks/launch areas. Several commercial docks offer fishing guide service and a wide range of boat rentals including ski boats, pontoon boats, bass boats and wave runners. Many of the resorts on the three lakes offer guide service, rental boats and private dock facilities for visitors’ boats as well. See Map of area lakes here.

Table Rock Lake
Accessible from multiple public and privately owned locations just minutes to the west of Branson, Table Rock Lake has been delighting visitors and residents alike since it was formed by the damming of the White River in 1959. While visitors can find dozens of places to stay and play along the banks of Table Rock Lake, the area’s commercial developments have placed a high priority on preserving the scenic beauty of the natural shoreline, bluffs, forests and wildlife that inhabit the shoreline. You can also set sail on the 49-passenger Spirit of America Catamaran on Table Rock Lake for an open-air experience – sightseeing tours and private charters available through the State Park Marina.

Fishing Table Rock Lake
Table Rock is nationally recognized as a top bass fishing lake. Large numbers of largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky spotted bass and white bass thrive in its diverse underwater structure and immense forage base. Bass, crappie and large bluegill are caught in abundance. Catfish of all sizes also roam the lake bottom. Many area resorts and marinas can hook you up with an experienced fishing guide to help make the most of your Table Rock Lake fishing experience. If you enjoy tournament fishing, there are hundreds of regional and local tournaments held on Table Rock Lake each year.

Lake Taneycomo
Accessible from Branson Landing in downtown Branson and at multiple points east including the communities of Rockaway Beach, Forsyth and Powersite and south of Hwy. 76 in Hollister and the Fall Creek area, Lake Taneycomo was formed with the completion of Powersite Dam in 1913. It was originally a section of the White River, and although Taneycomo is now technically a lake, it retains the look and feel of a river. When the Table Rock Dam was completed at Taneycomo’s headwaters in 1959, the nature of the lake changed. Taneycomo’s water now comes from the bottom of Table Rock Lake, making it a cold water lake. The cold, clear water, stocked annually with approximately 750,000 rainbow trout, makes Taneycomo a world-class trout fishing lake. Resorts and full-service public marinas offer canoeing, kayaking, fishing boats, motors, guides, tackle, and pontoons for relaxing and fun-filled lake activities.

Fishing Lake Taneycomo
“Lake Taneycomo is one of the best, if not the very best, of all trout streams in the U.S.” – Harold D. Eastman in “Trout Fishing on Lake Taneycomo,” 1987
The uppermost portion of the lake is reserved for artificial lures only such as tiny jigs and crankbaits. These headwaters are also ideal for fly fishing with flies that imitate the freshwater shrimp and other natural bait that the trout feed upon. Below Fall Creek, the locals say that the best way to catch trout is by drifting salmon eggs or angleworms. Affix the eggs or worms to a small hook and cast into holes with an ultra light rod and reel. This method used from a drifting boat or from a dock will yield a nice stringer of trout. Lower Lake Taneycomo harbors a well-kept secret.
The downstream area closer to Forsyth offers considerably warmer water and many other species of fish, making Taneycomo a versatile and challenging destination for anglers who are aware of its changing character from one end to the other. Experienced fishing guides are available to help you make the most of your Lake Taneycomo fishing experience.
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, just below Table Rock Lake dam is the largest trout-rearing facility in Missouri. It produces more than 80 percent of the fish released into Lake Taneycomo. More than 250,000 people visit the hatchery each year. Call (417) 334-4865.

Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals begins where Taneycomo ends and flows eastwardly from Forsyth into Arkansas. Bull Shoals Dam, the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States, is located approximately 7 miles north of Cotter, Arkansas. The lake’s shoreline has gone relatively undeveloped and features steep bluffs and rock ledges. The lake has many areas within 20 feet of the shoreline measuring 50 feet deep or more. Its crystal clear water makes the lake an ideal spot for scuba divers and swimmers. Light tackle and light line are the best choice for anglers. Bull Shoals also offers a variety of public access points and a selection of quaint fishing lodges that offer privacy and a chance to explore Ozark Mountain scenery at its finest.

Fishing Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals Lake is popular for its white, large mouth and spotted bass. It is a popular tournament lake and has a reputation for producing lunker fish of several varieties,
including stripers that weigh in at more than 50 pounds. Record catches on this lake include a 5-pound, 5-ounce white bass, a 13-pound 14-ounce largemouth bass and a 21-pound, 1-ounce walleye. Crappie, bream and catfish of all sizes can be found in Bull Shoals.

Quick Facts

Table Rock Lake

43,000 to 52,300* (approx.) acres of surface area
750+ miles of shoreline
Table Rock Dam and Powerhouse was completed in 1959
The dam is 6,423 feet long and 252 feet high.

Lake Taneycomo

2,000+ acres of surface area
40+ miles of shoreline
58 degrees - average water temperature
750,000 + rainbow and brown trout stocked annually

Bull Shoals Lake

45,440 to 71,240* (approx.) acres of surface area
900+ miles of shoreline
Bull Shoals Dam was created in 1951
The dam is 2,256 feet long and 256 feet high
*depending on the water level

Marina/Boat Docks/Houseboats

Harbor Marina & Boat Sales
363 Harbor Lane
Branson, MO 65616
417.338.2828
www.theharborboatsales.com

Kayak Branson at 165 Marina View
5403 State Hwy. 165
Branson, MO 65616
417-336-2811
866-681-BOAT
kayakbranson@suddenlink.net
kayakbranson.com
Open year round. Kayak and canoe sales and rentals. Tours available. Midwest distributors of Feelfree, world’s fastest growing kayak company. Dealers for Old Town, Necky, etc.

State Park Marina
1 mile south of Table Rock Dam inside State Park
417-334-BOAT
888-993-BOAT
417-334-6113
info@stateparkmarina.com
www.stateparkmarina.com
General store, fuel, restaurant, snack shop, fishing licenses, fishing boats, fishing guides, ski boats, pontoon boats, personal watercraft, diving equipment, slip rental, 600 slips, tour boat, parasailing.

Table Rock Lake Pontoon Rentals, Inc.
308 Nautical Dr
Kimberling City, MO 65686
417-739-2732
800-662-9984
Fax: 417-739-2732
trpontoon@tri-lakes.net
www.pontoonrentals.com
North 36 Degrees 37.781, West 93 Degrees 24.731
Open Apr. – Oct.

Tri-Lakes Houseboat Rentals
50 Marina Way
Kimberling City, MO 65686
417-739-2370
800-982-2628
Fax: 775-227-6190
hseboat@tri-lakeshouseboat.com
www.tri-lakeshouseboat.com
North 36 Degrees 37.737; West 93 Degrees 24.678
Open Mar. – Oct.
Houseboats: Vacation packages, 14 units, sleep capacity 6-12 people, kitchenettes & kitchen equipment available, smoking available, air conditioning/heat, gas grill, radio communication, cell phone 12V, plug-in, water recreation equipment available.