Fishing in Miller County, Missouri
Courthouse in Tuscumbia. MDC manages its fish from the MDC Central Region.
- 1lake pages
- 4ramps
- 2river pages
Pick for striped bassPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake of the Ozarks: Ben Jacobson ( Kranar Drogin ), CC BY-SA 3.0
The fishing picture in Miller County
County offices for Miller County sit in Tuscumbia; 24,722 people lived in the county in 2020. Census mapping puts 593 square miles of land and 7.4 square miles of water inside its lines. MDC manages its fisheries from the MDC Central Region.
1 paged lakes, 51,132 acres, and Lake of the Ozarks at the head of the list by size. Public launching comes down to 4 public ramps, 0 of which MDC rates accessible. Anglers hunting cover can use 368 MDC attractors placed in 1 water.
Census 2020 population and 2023 Gazetteer areas; MDC Managed Public Waterbody outlines, boat ramp/access, dock, jetty and fish attractor layers; USACE ramp layers; retrieved October 2026.
Lake outlines and ramps around Miller County, pinned
MDC boat ramp/access and dock layers, USACE ramps, MDC lake label points and MDC stream access areas. Checked October 2026.
The bigger impoundments of Miller County
| Lake | Acres | Ramps | Motor note | Fish MDC names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake of the Ozarks | 51,132 | 6 | hybrid striped bass, striped bass, largemouth bass |
With few lake pages inside Miller County, the closest ones beyond its line follow, measured from Tuscumbia.
| Lake | From Tuscumbia | Acres | Ramps | Motor note | Fish MDC names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osage Beach City Park Lake | 11 miles southwest | 5 | 0 | ||
| Rinquelin Trail Lake | 20 miles southeast | 26 | 1 | ||
| Painted Rock Lake | 22 miles northeast | 5 | 0 | ||
| Jaycee Park Lake | 25 miles northeast | 8 | 0 | ||
| Binder Community Lake | 26 miles north | 142 | 1 | largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill | |
| McKay Park Lake | 26 miles northeast | 7 | 0 | rainbow trout |
MDC Managed Public Waterbody outlines (GIS acres), MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects species and boating notes; retrieved October 2026.
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Lake pages inside 50 miles of Tuscumbia were tallied by the fish MDC names; channel catfish comes first.
Species named in MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects text, the MDC state record list and MDC trout program waters, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a full survey.
Conservation-area ponds in Miller County
Another 6 MDC waters in Miller County are listed by size until more is published, 2 of them numbered pools or ponds on conservation areas.
| Water | Acres | Attractors | Nearest place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagnell Tailwater | 97 | 0 | Lakeside |
| Kings Bluff Lake | 2 | 0 | Tuscumbia |
| Dunn Lake | 1 | 0 | Tuscumbia |
| Albertsons Lake | 1 | 0 | Tuscumbia |
| Pond 1, Saline Valley Conservation Area | 0 | 0 | Tuscumbia |
| Pond 2, Saline Valley Conservation Area | 0 | 0 | Aurora Springs |
MDC Managed Public Waterbody outlines and fish attractor layer, retrieved October 2026.
Wade and float streams of Miller County
- Osage River7 MDC ramps, 7 access areas, 276 mi in Missouri
- Tavern Creek5 access areas, 55 mi in Missouri
More streams in Miller County (1)
- Shutin Creek1 MDC access area
Stage and flow in Miller County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Osage River At Tuscumbia, Mo | 1,030 cfs, 1.46 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:00 pm |
| Osage River Near Bagnell, Mo | 798 cfs, 1.36 ft gage height | Nov 12 6:15 pm |
| Tavern Creek Below St. Elizabeth, Mo | 13 cfs, 0.49 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
MDC stream access areas and boat ramps, MDC trout and smallmouth management layers, USGS NHD lengths and USGS gauges; retrieved October 2026.
Accesses listed for Miller County
- Bagnell Dam Access on Bagnell TailwaterBagnell Tailwater, boat ramp, parking, privy nearby
- Kings Bluff Access on Osage RiverOsage River, boat ramp, parking
- Osage-Tavern Access on Osage RiverOsage River, boat ramp, parking, privy nearby
- Tuscumbia Access on Osage RiverOsage River, boat ramp
MDC boat ramp/access, fishing dock, jetty and cleaning station layers; USACE Little Rock District ramp layers; retrieved October 2026.
What may be kept from Miller County water
Unless the booklet names a water, Miller County lakes and streams follow the statewide rows below.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky) | 6 a day | All year |
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky) (Ozark streams) | 6 a day; 12" minimum | May 23, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Channel catfish | 10 a day | All year |
| Blue catfish | 5 a day | All year |
| Flathead catfish | 5 a day | All year |
| Crappie (black and white) | 30 a day | All year |
| Goggle-eye (Ozark, rock, and shadow bass) and warmouth | 15 a day; 7" minimum | All year |
| Muskellunge | 1 (daily limit is 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike); 36" minimum | All year |
| Northern pike | 1 (daily limit is 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike) | All year |
| Paddlefish (spoonbill) | 2 a day; 32" minimum (eye to fork of tail) | March 15–April 30 |
| Pickerel (chain and grass) | 6 a day | All year |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | 10 a day; 30" maximum (snout to fork of tail) | All year |
| Trout (rainbow and brown) | 4 a day; Rainbow: none; Brown: 15" minimum in streams | All year |
| Walleye and sauger | 4 a day; 15" minimum | All year |
| White, yellow, and striped bass and their hybrids | 15 a day; No more than 4 longer than 18" | All year |
Miller County waters with their own MDC rules (14)
| Water | Where | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lake of the Ozarks | Lakewide | Black bass — 15" minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass; 12" minimum length limit on spotted bass |
| Lake of the Ozarks | Lakewide | Crappie — 9" minimum length limit; 15 fish daily limit |
| Lake of the Ozarks | Lakewide | Nongame fish — Snagging, snaring, and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only. |
| Lake of the Ozarks | On the lake and its tributaries | Paddlefish — 34" minimum body length, measured from eye to fork of tail |
| Lake of the Ozarks | On the lake and its tributaries | No person shall continue to snag, snare, or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish. |
| Lake of the Ozarks | On the lake and its tributaries | Blue catfish — 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34". |
| Lake of the Ozarks | Within a boundary beginning from the face of Truman Dam downstream along the left descending bank to the no-fishing zone sign at the East Bl | No fishing is allowed. |
| Lake of the Ozarks | From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam throughout the no-boating zone (look for signs and buoys) | Paddlefish may not be possessed. |
| Lake of the Ozarks | From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam to U.S. Highway 65 | Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, jug lines, snagging, snaring, and grabbing are prohibited. |
| Osage River | Within 225 feet below Bagnell Dam | No fishing is allowed, except live bait may be taken by dip net and throw net only. |
| Osage River | From the no-fishing zone below Bagnell Dam to U.S. Highway 54 | Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, snagging, snaring, and grabbing are prohibited. |
| Osage River | From the no fishing zone below Bagnell Dam to its confluence with the Missouri River | Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day. |
| Osage River | From U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River | Nongame fish — Snagging, snaring, and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only. |
| Osage River | From U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River | No person shall continue to snag, snare, or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish. |
Limits and seasons as printed in A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026 (MDC, effective March 1, 2026), page 20 (booklet PDF); retrieved October 27, 2026. Rules as printed in A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026 (MDC, effective March 1, 2026) (booklet PDF, Special Regulations on Large Lakes and on Rivers and Streams); checked against the current Wildlife Code October 27, 2026.
Big-fish records connected to Miller County
| Species | Weight | Method | Water | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 9 lbs. 1 oz. | jug line | Lake of the Ozarks | Oct. 31, 2016 | MDC record list |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 21 lbs. 11 oz. | pole and line | Lake of the Ozarks | May 19, 2019 | MDC record list |
| Striped Bass | 39 lbs. 8 oz. | jug line | Lake of the Ozarks | Oct. 11, 2002 | MDC record list |
MDC State Record Fish list (first page of 135 records readable) and MDC news releases, retrieved October 2026.
Tournaments launching in Miller County
Organizer pages show 3 events tied to Miller County, with 3 still ahead.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 31, 2026 | Alhonna Resort The Fall Classic (2026) | Lake of the Ozarks | Alhonna Resort |
| March 13, 2027 | Alhonna Resort The Early Bird (Spring Tournament) (2027) | Lake of the Ozarks | Alhonna Resort |
| Oct. 30, 2027 | Alhonna Resort Fall Classic (2027 save the date) (2027) | Lake of the Ozarks | Alhonna Resort |
Organizer schedule and results pages (MDC publishes no tournament calendar), checked October 2026.
Tackle counters and marinas in Miller County
Where Miller County anglers buy gear
- Rippin Lips Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Osage Beach
- Barnes Marine, Inc.marina, Kaiser
- Dock Realtymarina, Lake Ozark
- Lampe Marine Maintenance, 150 Manor Drmarina, Eldon
- Marine & Motor Servicesmarina, Rocky Mount
- MarineMax Lake Ozarkmarina, Lake Ozark
- Mid American Docksmarina, Eldon
- Mike Fink's Marinamarina, Lake Ozark
- PDQ Marine Servicemarina, Lake Ozark
- Village Marina & Yacht Clubmarina, Eldon
Guided trips from Miller County
- Big Ed’s Guide Servicefishing guide, Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Ozark, (573) 692-6710
- Lake Ozark Fishing Guide Servicefishing guide, Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Ozark, (573) 465-3810
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide listings (county of business); retrieved October 2026.
Within a few miles of Miller County
Town pages inside Miller County
- Eldonpop. 4,416
- Lake Ozarkpop. 2,077
Counties that surround Miller County
- Cole County21 miles north
- Camden County22 miles southwest
- Maries County28 miles east
- Morgan County28 miles northwest
Line and reels from Piscifun ahead of Miller County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs of fishing water by Miller County
Photo: Jason Chung, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Heath Cajandig, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Mike Trinastich, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Karen Blaha, CC BY-SA 2.0
Answers for anglers working Miller County
Where does a trailered boat slide in across Miller County?
There are 4 public ramps, of which 0 carry the accessible flag.
Which impoundment is the giant of Miller County?
Lake of the Ozarks, at 51,132 acres on its MDC outline.
What do anglers catch around Miller County?
Channel catfish lead the count of lake pages within 50 miles that MDC reports name, followed by crappie, largemouth bass and redear sunfish.
Which Miller County counters stock lures and line?
10 listings, such as Rippin Lips Bait & Tackle.
Which guide businesses keep an office in Miller County?
2 guides and charters name this area as home.
Which Missouri town runs the business of Miller County?
Officials meet in Tuscumbia.
How much does an MDC fishing permit cost for Miller County?
Residents pay $14 and nonresidents $57 for a year of fishing in Missouri, and a daily permit is $9.
Which counties border Miller County?
Cole County, Camden County and Maries County lie closest.
Which region of MDC serves Miller County?
MDC maps place it under the MDC Central Region.
Which weigh-in is next on the Miller County calendar?
3 events on file; next is Alhonna Resort The Fall Classic (2026) on Lake of the Ozarks, Oct. 31, 2026.
Are there special limits in Miller County?
The 2026 booklet prints 14 special-regulation bullets naming this area, starting with Lake of the Ozarks; the table above shows each.
Which state records were caught in Miller County?
Hybrid Striped Bass, 9 lbs. 1 oz., from Lake of the Ozarks.
Spend a morning on Miller County lakes
Ramp pages show parking, privies and directions.