Belcher Branch Lake Fishing
A 45-acre Missouri lake in Buchanan County.
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Belcher Branch Lake in the MDC files
Belcher Branch Lake covers 45 acres in Buchanan County, going by the MDC waterbody outline. The closest Census place is Faucett, about 4 miles from the MDC label point. It is one of the waters of the MDC Northwest Region. Its managing area is Belcher Branch Lake Conservation Area.
MDC counts 1 mapped ramp on its shore. The dock layer lists 3 docks and jetties.
MDC Managed Public Waterbody outlines (GIS acres, region, managing area) on gisblue.mdc.mo.gov, Census 2023 places, retrieved October 27, 2026. MDC office phone: 816-271-3100.
Putting a boat or a line into Belcher Branch Lake
- Belcher Branch Lake Conservation Areaboat ramp, parking, privy nearby; Missouri Department of Conservation
Where to cast from land at Belcher Branch Lake
- Belcher Branch Lake Conservation Areafishing dock, accessible
- Belcher Branch Lake Conservation Areafishing dock, accessible
- Belcher Branch Lake Conservation Areafishing dock, accessible
Second-choice launches around Belcher Branch Lake
- Guy B. Park Conservation Area on Tobacco Hills LakeTobacco Hills Lake, 12 miles south
MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.
The rulebook for Belcher Branch Lake
| Species | Daily limit and length | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky) | 6 a day | All year |
| 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 |
Start from the statewide table for Belcher Branch Lake; the booklet exceptions override it.
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.
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Of the lakes listed, Smithville Lake is biggest, 6,994 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Attractors | Species named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belcher Branch Lake | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tobacco Hills Lake | 12 miles south | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Smithville Lake | 15 miles southeast | 6,994 | 0 | 1,022 | 8 |
| Lake Remote | 16 miles southeast | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Krug Park Lagoon | 16 miles northwest | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Picnic Lake | 18 miles east | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.
The neighbourhood of Belcher Branch Lake in Missouri
More MDC lakes around Belcher Branch Lake
- Tobacco Hills Lake12 miles south
- Smithville Lake15 miles southeast
- Lake Remote16 miles southeast
- Krug Park Lagoon16 miles northwest
- Picnic Lake18 miles east
Bait and tackle a short drive from Belcher Branch Lake
- J & B Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Saint Joseph, 11 miles
- Dick's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Saint Joseph, 11 miles
- Burton's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Smithville, 16 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods St. Josephsporting goods store, St. Joseph, 16 miles
- Camp Branch Marinamarina, Smithville, 17 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Kansas Citysporting goods store, Kansas City, 23 miles
Home-base towns for Belcher Branch Lake
- Gower8 miles
- St. Joseph13 miles
- Plattsburg15 miles
Missouri county pages that take in Belcher Branch Lake
- Buchanan Countyseat: St. Joseph
A Piscifun kit to carry to Belcher Branch Lake
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Telling the fish of Belcher Branch Lake apart by photo
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Photo: MONGO, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answers about Belcher Branch Lake
How do I find Belcher Branch Lake on a Missouri map?
Head for Buchanan County, the MDC Northwest Region, about 4 miles from Faucett.
How big is Belcher Branch Lake on the MDC outline?
Close to 45 acres.
Is there a public boat ramp at Belcher Branch Lake?
There are 1 mapped ramp; try Belcher Branch Lake Conservation Area.
What does the MDC fish list say about Belcher Branch Lake?
No fish roster is on file for it.
Which regulations cover Belcher Branch Lake?
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky): 6 a day; All year.
Which Missouri permit covers Belcher Branch Lake?
Missouri anglers 16 through 64 carry a fishing permit: $14 a year for residents, $57 for nonresidents, or $9 for a daily permit.
Is a big outboard welcome on Missouri's Belcher Branch Lake?
MDC lists no rule in this set; check on site.
Which Missouri tackle shop sits closest to Belcher Branch Lake?
J & B Outdoors is about 11 miles from the water.
Take the Ozark back roads to Belcher Branch Lake
Every Missouri fee and limit is one click away.