Catclaw Lake Fishing
A 40-acre Missouri lake in Jackson County.
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What the MDC outline says about Catclaw Lake
Conservation department GIS puts 40 acres of water inside the Catclaw Lake outline in Jackson County. Groceries and fuel are nearest in Lake Lotawana, roughly 3 miles away. It falls under the MDC Kansas City Region. It lies on James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area.
MDC adds 5 docks and jetties for shore fishing.
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: 816-622-0900.
What MDC biologists expect at Catclaw Lake in 2026
MDC published this 2026 forecast for Catclaw Lake:
Largemouth bass begin spawning in late April and will continue until late May-early June. Fish brush piles and off of points using a rig with a plastic worm or a jig and pig. Following the spawn in the summer months as water temperatures climb, fish early and late in the day using topwater baits. Work these baits along lily pads, pondweed, or brush piles and hold on for that topwater bite. During the day, fish under shade trees. All of the lakes on the Reed Area hold great bass populations, and catches of 5+ lb fish are not uncommon. Bluestem, Catclaw, Cottontail, Jackrabbit, Plover, and Nell contain the highest performing bass populations.
Channel catfish action stays consistent throughout most of the summer. All lakes are stocked annually and hold good populations. During the spring rains, fish the creek channels running into the lakes by drifting a nightcrawler. Chicken liver and cut shad are the best summertime baits. After the water reaches 80 degrees, float these baits under a bobber. In the late winter and early spring, fish stinky baits to get an early start catfishing.
Bluegill and redear sunfish will spawn in all lakes starting in late April and will run until early June. The top lakes for bluegill are Gopher and Catclaw, l. Try fishing the coves with red worms or crickets under a bobber. For redear sunfish, target Bluestem, Bodarc, and Plover. Try fishing on the bottom near cover or using a small tube jig tipped with a little piece of worm fished along the bottom.
MDC, 2026 Missouri Fishing Prospects (report), quoted; retrieved October 27, 2026.
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MDC maps no boat ramp at Catclaw Lake.
Bank fishing structures on Catclaw Lake
- James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Areafishing dock, accessible
- James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Areafishing jetty
- James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Areafishing jetty
- James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Areafishing jetty
- James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Areafishing jetty
Other ramps close to Catclaw Lake
- Prairie Lee Lake (Jackson County)Prairie Lee Lake, 3 miles north
- Lake Jacomo (Jackson County) (south ramp)Lake Jacomo, 4 miles north
- Lake Jacomo (Jackson County) (north ramp)Lake Jacomo, 6 miles north
- Lone Jack Lake Conservation AreaLone Jack Lake, 7 miles east
- Blue Springs Lake (Jackson County) (east ramp)Blue Springs Lake, 8 miles north
- Blue Springs Lake (Jackson County) (west ramp)Blue Springs Lake, 9 miles north
MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Keeping fish from Catclaw Lake legally
| 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 |
For Catclaw Lake, read the statewide limits first, then any water-specific rule.
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.
Neighbour lakes measured against Catclaw Lake
Among the five closest Missouri lakes with pages, Gopher Lake has the most water at 38 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Attractors | Species named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catclaw Lake | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cottontail Lake | under a mile south | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jackrabbit Lake | under a mile west | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Plover Lake | under a mile west | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lake Nell, James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area | under a mile southwest | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gopher Lake | 1 mile south | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Missouri places a short haul from Catclaw Lake
Missouri lakes not far from Catclaw Lake
- Cottontail Lakeunder a mile south
- Jackrabbit Lakeunder a mile west
- Plover Lakeunder a mile west
- Lake Nell, James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Areaunder a mile southwest
- Gopher Lake1 mile south
Buying minnows and worms near Catclaw Lake
- Fishing Tackle Junctionbait and tackle shop, Lees Summit, 3 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Lees Summitsporting goods store, Lees Summit, 5 miles
- Nicks Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Pleasant Hill, 8 miles
- 40 Woods Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Blue Springs, 8 miles
- Longview Lake Marinamarina, Kansas City, 9 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Independencesporting goods store, Independence, 10 miles
Missouri towns to stay in near Catclaw Lake
- Lake Lotawana3 miles
- Greenwood4 miles
- Lee's Summit4 miles
Missouri county guides that cover Catclaw Lake
- Jackson Countyseat: Independence
Reels from Piscifun worth bringing to Catclaw Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photo guide to fish at Catclaw Lake
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Photo: MONGO, CC BY-SA 3.0
Catclaw Lake questions, with short answers
What Missouri town is closest to Catclaw Lake?
MDC maps it in Jackson County, the MDC Kansas City Region, about 3 miles from Lake Lotawana.
Is Catclaw Lake a large lake for Missouri?
40 acres by MDC GIS.
How many MDC or Corps ramps serve Catclaw Lake?
MDC lists no ramp for it.
Which species live in Catclaw Lake?
Its fish are not listed.
How many black bass may a Missouri angler keep at Catclaw Lake?
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky): 6 a day; All year.
What permit does a visitor buy for Catclaw Lake?
Missouri anglers 16 through 64 carry a fishing permit: $14 a year for residents, $57 for nonresidents, or $9 for a daily permit.
What boating rules apply at Catclaw Lake?
The MDC data here prints no motor rule; check signs at the ramp.
Where do Catclaw Lake anglers buy supplies?
Fishing Tackle Junction is nearest at 3 miles.
How is fishing at Catclaw Lake this year?
Largemouth bass begin spawning in late April and will continue until late May-early June. Fish brush piles and off of points using a rig with a plastic worm or a jig and pig. Following the spawn in the summer months as water temperatures climb, fish early and late in the day using topwater baits. (MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects)
Plan a day on Catclaw Lake
Fees, seasons and special rules are on the permit page.