Fishing in Taney County, Missouri
Courthouse in Forsyth. MDC manages its fish from the MDC Southwest Region.
- 3lake pages
- 11ramps
- 1river pages
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What Taney County offers a rod and reel
Taney County is run from Forsyth, and the 2020 Census counted 56,066 residents across the county. By Census measure the area holds 632 square miles of land and 19.3 of water. MDC data file this area under the MDC Southwest Region. Arkansas holds part of Table Rock Lake and Bull Shoals Lake, one of the White River border lakes.
The largest of 3 lake pages is Table Rock Lake, and they total 96,796 acres of MDC-mapped water. 11 public ramps serve this water; MDC marks 1 as accessible. 2 local lakes hold 1,955 MDC fish attractors between them. MDC maps 6 fishing docks and 0 jetties here, plus 1 cleaning station. Trout water here includes Lake Taneycomo.
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.
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MDC boat ramp/access and dock layers, USACE ramps, MDC lake label points and MDC stream access areas. Checked October 2026.
MDC lake pages in Taney County, largest down
| Lake | Acres | Ramps | Motor note | Fish MDC names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table Rock Lake | 49,720 | 33 | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass | |
| Bull Shoals Lake | 44,944 | 9 | largemouth bass, striped bass | |
| Lake Taneycomo | 2,131 | 3 | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass |
Past the Taney County boundary, these lake pages lie closest to Forsyth.
| Lake | From Forsyth | Acres | Ramps | Motor note | Fish MDC names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Water Mill Lake | 41 miles north | 14 | 0 | largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill | |
| Fellows Lake | 44 miles north | 800 | 1 | 40 hp limit | largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie |
| Norfork Lake | 46 miles east | 18,798 | 4 | largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass |
MDC Managed Public Waterbody outlines (GIS acres), MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects species and boating notes; retrieved October 2026.
Fish MDC names near Taney County
Within 50 miles of Forsyth, largemouth bass turns up on more lake pages than any other species.
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.
Ponds and pools of Taney County on the MDC map
MDC manages 1 more named lakes, ponds and pools in Taney County with too few published facts for a page.
| Water | Acres | Attractors | Nearest place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bateman Pond | 2 | 0 | Taneyville |
MDC Managed Public Waterbody outlines and fish attractor layer, retrieved October 2026.
Taney County rivers with MDC accesses
- Lake TaneycomoLake Taneycomo trout area, 32 mi in Missouri
Live gauge numbers for Taney County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek At Bradleyville, Mo | 29 cfs, 2.26 ft gage height | Nov 11 7:15 pm |
| Bull Creek Near Walnut Shade, Mo | 7 cfs, 0.90 ft gage height | Nov 11 7:25 pm |
| Turkey Creek Near Hollister, Mo | 1 cfs, 2.63 ft gage height | Nov 11 7:25 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 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.
Ribbon areas, parks and winter lakes in Taney County
Keeping trout takes a Missouri trout permit on top of the fishing permit: $12 for residents and $24 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Taney County trout areas and their rules
| Area | Water and segment | Length | Daily | Lures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large trout lake (no ribbon class) | Lake Taneycomo and its tributaries: From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek — 3 miles | Rainbows: less than 12" or greater than 20"; Browns: at least 20" | 4 (only 1 brown) | Artificial lures and flies |
| Large trout lake (no ribbon class) | Lake Taneycomo: Mouth of Fall Creek to Powersite Dam and tributaries to Lake Taneycomo — 19.7 miles | Rainbows: none; Browns: at least 20" | 4 (only 1 brown) | All |
- Lake TaneycomoRainbow Trout and Brown Trout, Lake Taneycomo is stocked monthly with rainbow trout and annually with brown trout.
MDC trout program statements (2026 regulations booklet, MDC news releases and area pages); MDC publishes no per-water stocking table; trout areas and trout parks as printed in the 2026 regulations booklet pp. 24 to 27.
Where Taney County water is open to the public
- Cooper Creek Access on Lake TaneycomoLake Taneycomo, boat ramp, accessible, parking, privy nearby
- Rockaway Beach Access on Lake TaneycomoLake Taneycomo, boat ramp, parking, privy nearby
- Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery access on Lake TaneycomoLake Taneycomo, boat ramp, parking
- Beaver Creek ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, Corps ramp
- Blackwell Ferry ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, Corps ramp
- Highway K ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, Corps ramp
- Long Creek ramp on Table Rock LakeTable Rock Lake, concrete ramp, Corps ramp
- Mission Lane ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, Corps ramp
- Moonshine ramp on Table Rock LakeTable Rock Lake, concrete ramp, Corps ramp
- River Run ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, Corps ramp
- State Park ramp on Table Rock LakeTable Rock Lake, concrete ramp, Corps ramp
The Corps layer adds 8 ramps to the MDC list.
Shore access sites of Taney County (3)
- Fishing docks at Bull Shoals Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Highway K Public Access (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers2 docks, 1 accessible
- Fishing docks at Lake Taneycomo, Cooper Creek Access2 docks, 2 accessible
- Fishing docks at Lake Taneycomo, Rockaway Beach Access2 docks, 1 cleaning station, 3 accessible
MDC boat ramp/access, fishing dock, jetty and cleaning station layers; USACE Little Rock District ramp layers; retrieved October 2026.
Daily limits and size rules across Taney County
Every Taney County water not listed below uses these statewide rows.
| 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 |
Special-regulation water in Taney County (7)
| Water | Where | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Taneycomo | On the lake and its tributaries | Brown trout — 20" minimum length limit; the daily limit of 4 trout, combined total of both species, may include only 1 brown trout. |
| Lake Taneycomo | On the lake and its tributaries | The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited. See Page 24. |
| Lake Taneycomo | Within 760 feet below Table Rock Dam | No fishing is allowed. |
| Lake Taneycomo | From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek | Rainbow trout — 12" to 20" protected slot length limit |
| Lake Taneycomo | From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek | Pole and line fishing only |
| Lake Taneycomo | From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek | Only flies and artificial lures may be used, and soft plastic baits and natural and scented baits are prohibited when fishing for any species. |
| Lake Taneycomo | From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to U.S. Highway 65 bridge | Fishing permit (unless exempt) and a trout permit are required to fish for any species. |
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.
Border permits for Taney County anglers
Missouri and Arkansas sell a $10 White River Border Lakes Permit that lets a holder of either state's permit fish Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock across the line.
| Water | Border note |
|---|---|
| Table Rock Lake | 95% of the MDC outline in Missouri |
| Bull Shoals Lake | 25% of the MDC outline in Missouri |
Border water entries and permit fees as printed in A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026 (MDC, effective March 1, 2026); MDC outline shares from MDC GIS.
Record-list fish landed near Taney County
| Species | Weight | Method | Water | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 13 lbs. 14 oz. | pole and line | Bull Shoals Lake | April 21, 1961 | MDC record list |
| Smallmouth Bass | 4 lbs. 4 oz. | jug line | Table Rock Lake | Sept. 18, 2002 | MDC record list |
| Spotted Bass | 7 lbs. 8 oz. | pole and line | Table Rock Lake | April 6, 1966 | MDC record list |
| Striped Bass | 65 lbs. 2 oz. | pole and line | Bull Shoals Lake | May 21, 2015 | MDC record list |
| Yellow Bass | 2 lbs. 7 oz. | pole and line | Table Rock Lake | May 13, 2026 | MDC news release |
| Redear Sunfish | 2 lbs. 3 oz. | bow | Lake Taneycomo | April 18, 2025 | MDC news release |
MDC State Record Fish list (first page of 135 records readable) and MDC news releases, retrieved October 2026.
Bass and crappie events across Taney County
1 of the 4 Taney County events on organizer pages are still to be fished.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2027 | Fishers of Men Missouri Ozarks Lake Taneycomo (2027-06-26) | Lake Taneycomo | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Aug. 15, 2026 | Mo-Yak Elite Series Stop #6 Bull Shoals Lake (2026) | Bull Shoals Lake | Mo-Yak Fishing Series |
| June 27, 2026 | Fishers of Men Missouri Ozarks Lake Taneycomo Open (2026-06-27) | Lake Taneycomo | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| May 16, 2026 | Mo-Yak Elite Series Stop #3 Table Rock Lake (2026) | Table Rock Lake | Mo-Yak Fishing Series |
Organizer schedule and results pages (MDC publishes no tournament calendar), checked October 2026.
Shops and guide services of Taney County
Shop listings for Taney County
- Anglers Bait Havenfly shop, Rockaway Beach
- Anglers Outfittersfly shop, Branson
- Chartered Waters Trout Shopbait and tackle shop, Hollister
- Extreme Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Reeds Spring
- Jct. Tackle Shop & Flea Marketbait and tackle shop, Forsyth
- Lilleys' Landing Resort & Marinabait and tackle shop, Branson
- Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatcherybait and tackle shop, Branson
- Tri Lakes Rod & Reel Repairbait and tackle shop, Forsyth
- Bass Pro Shops Bransonsporting goods store, Branson
- Beaver Creek Marinamarina, Kissee Mills
- Bent Hook Marina & Marketmarina, Ridgedale
- Branson Bay Marinamarina, Hollister
- Branson Creek/Gage's Marinamarina, Ridgedale
- Emerald Pt Dry Dock Marinamarina, Hollister
- Fall Creek Marina & RV Campgroundmarina, Branson
- K Dock Marinamarina, Kirbyville
- Lazy Valley Resort & Marinamarina, Branson
Taney County guide listings
- Anglers Advantagecharter, Branson, (417) 619-9377
- Anglers Obsession Guide Servicecharter, Branson, (636) 866-4741
- Bob's Fishing Guide Servicecharter, Branson, (417) 338-2316
- Branson Guided Fishing Tripscharter, Branson, (417) 224-5108
- Captain B's Fishing Guide Servicecharter, Branson, (417) 224-7645
- CastAway Charters – Taneycomo Trout Guide in Branson, MOcharter, Lake Taneycomo, Branson, (573) 864-0544
- Chartered Waters Trout Shopcharter, Hollister, (417) 335-0489
- John Sappington's Branson Fishing Guide Servicecharter, Branson, (417) 460-5747
- Branson Fishing Guide Servicefishing guide, Ridgedale, (417) 270-7157
- Table Rock Lake Guide Servicefishing guide, Table Rock Lake, Branson, (417) 434-2823
- Flys and Guidesfly fishing guide, Branson, (417) 294-0759
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide listings (county of business); retrieved October 2026.
Next to Taney County
Communities of Taney County by population
- Bransonpop. 12,638
- Hollisterpop. 4,583
- Forsythpop. 2,730
- Merriam Woodspop. 2,006
The next counties over from Taney County
- Christian County24 miles north
- Stone County24 miles west
- Ozark County32 miles east
- Douglas County36 miles northeast
Piscifun spinning and casting gear to pack for Taney County
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Hollows, bluffs and lakes by Taney County, in photos
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Semipaw, CC BY 3.0
Photo: KTrimble, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: ThinkHat, CC BY 4.0
Hunting in Taney County
Public hunting land, seasons and processors for Taney County are on State Hunting Spots, our sister site.
Taney County fishing, the frequent asks
How many MDC or Corps ramps does Taney County count?
11 public ramps in all, 1 accessible.
What is the largest still water in Taney County?
Table Rock Lake, at 49,720 acres on its MDC outline.
Which species lead lake reports near Taney County?
Largemouth bass lead the count of lake pages within 50 miles that MDC reports name, followed by crappie, black crappie and bluegill.
Does Taney County have a bait shop of its own?
There are 17, Anglers Bait Haven among them.
Which guide listings name Taney County?
Count 11 guides and charters with a local address.
Which town holds the Taney County courthouse?
Forsyth, home of the courthouse.
Which Missouri permit covers Taney County water?
The MDC fishing permit costs $14 for a Missouri resident and $57 for a visitor; a $9 daily permit covers a single day. Trout kept from these waters need the $12 resident trout permit as well. The border lakes shared with Arkansas sell a $10 permit that honours both states' waters.
Which counties wrap around Taney County?
The nearest county pages are Christian County, Stone County and Ozark County.
Under which MDC region does Taney County fall?
MDC files it under the MDC Southwest Region.
Do bass trails or clubs fish tournaments in Taney County?
4 events on file; next is Fishers of Men Missouri Ozarks Lake Taneycomo (2027-06-26) on Lake Taneycomo, June 26, 2027.
Do any Taney County waters carry MDC special regulations?
The 2026 booklet prints 7 special-regulation bullets naming this area, starting with Lake Taneycomo; the table above shows each.
Where can a Taney County angler fish for MDC trout?
Lake Taneycomo; MDC trout rules for each are on the linked pages.
Has a Missouri record fish come from Taney County?
Largemouth Bass, 13 lbs. 14 oz., from Bull Shoals Lake.
Hitch the jon boat for Taney County
Open a lake for its ramps, limits and attractors.