Edwin A Pape Lake Fishing
A 269-acre Missouri lake in Lafayette County.
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Sizing up Edwin A Pape Lake
In Lafayette County, Edwin A Pape Lake measures 269 acres on the conservation department map. Concordia is the nearest town, some 4 miles off. MDC manages it within the MDC Kansas City Region. Missouri visitors reach it through Edwin A. Pape Lake (Concordia).
Boaters have 1 mapped ramp to choose from. Bank anglers get 2 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: 816-622-0900.
The MDC 2026 outlook for Edwin A Pape Lake
Here is how MDC biologists sized up Edwin A Pape Lake for 2026:
Largemouth bass fishing should continue to be good for both legal (greater than 15-inch) fish and sublegal (less than 15-inch) fish. The bass population is one of low density, yet high quality. Anglers report catching good numbers of all sizes of bass up to 20+ inches. Bass sampled in 2021 were in good condition with a few over 20-inches long. Try fishing with spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft plastic worms off of points and near structure on the south side of the lake. Crappie fishing should be fair. The crappie population is stunted and there are numerous small, slow growing crappie less-than 8-inches in length.
Catfish should continue to be good during the summer; please note that pole and line fishing is the only legal method to catch catfish. Each year, approximately 2,400 channel catfish (8-12 inches) are stocked in the fall. There are good numbers of all sizes of channel catfish up to 5+ pounds! Try fishing off of and around the dam and from the bank, with worms, dough bait and cut baits. Flathead catfish were stocked several years ago; there is some limited natural reproduction and flatheads up to 40+ pounds may be found. Try fishing with live bluegill, shad or cut bait off of and around the dam, and in the upper lake.
Good bank fishing can be found along the dam and on the north side of the lake. Anglers are reminded that in addition to a fishing permit, a city use permit is required to fish the lake. Permits can be purchased from numerous businesses in town. Remember to use proper handling techniques when releasing fish back to the water to ensure their survival.
MDC, 2026 Missouri Fishing Prospects (report), quoted; retrieved October 27, 2026.
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Every chip below has an MDC source tying it to Edwin A Pape Lake.
MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects text, MDC State Record Fish list and MDC trout program statements, retrieved October 27, 2026.
Every mapped access at Edwin A Pape Lake
- Edwin A. Pape Lake (Concordia)boat ramp, parking, privy nearby; Missouri Department of Conservation
MDC docks and jetties at Edwin A Pape Lake
- Edwin A. Pape Lake (Concordia)fishing dock
- Edwin A. Pape Lake (Concordia)fishing jetty, accessible
Accesses a quick trailer haul from Edwin A Pape Lake
- Higginsville City Lake (east ramp)Higginsville City Lake, 10 miles northwest
- Higginsville City Lake (west ramp)Higginsville City Lake, 10 miles northwest
- Maple Leaf Lake Conservation AreaMaple Leaf Lake, 11 miles west
MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.
How full Edwin A Pape Lake is running
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Concordia Lake Near Concordia, Mo | 707.78 ft lake elevation | Oct 30 3:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 30, 2026 3:39 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Check the caption for when the Edwin A Pape Lake reading was taken.
Daily limits on Edwin A Pape 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 |
The statewide rows set the baseline at Edwin A Pape Lake.
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.
Edwin A Pape Lake next to five nearby lakes
By MDC acreage, Blind Pony Lake tops the neighbours at 154 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Attractors | Species named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwin A Pape Lake | 269 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
| Higginsville City Lake | 10 miles northwest | 147 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Maple Leaf Lake | 11 miles west | 136 | 1 | 12 | 5 |
| Hazel Hill Community Lake | 12 miles southwest | 63 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Blind Pony Lake | 14 miles northeast | 154 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Lions Lake | 16 miles southwest | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Next stops near Edwin A Pape Lake
Other still water near Edwin A Pape Lake
- Higginsville City Lake10 miles northwest
- Maple Leaf Lake11 miles west
- Hazel Hill Community Lake12 miles southwest
- Blind Pony Lake14 miles northeast
- Lions Lake16 miles southwest
Bait counters that serve Edwin A Pape Lake
- Andy's Boat Repairmarina, Sweet Springs, 9 miles
- Master Baiters Hooker Havenbait and tackle shop, Odessa, 20 miles
- C & S Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Lexington, 23 miles
Show-Me towns a drive from Edwin A Pape Lake
- Concordia4 miles
- Sweet Springs10 miles
- Higginsville11 miles
The Missouri counties Edwin A Pape Lake reaches into
- Lafayette Countyseat: Lexington
Piscifun tackle a Missouri angler might take to Edwin A Pape Lake
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Hollows, bluffs and lakes by Edwin A Pape Lake, in photos
Photo: Rob Stinnett, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nightryder84, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Nightryder84, CC BY-SA 3.0
Things Show-Me visitors wonder about Edwin A Pape Lake
Which MDC region covers Edwin A Pape Lake?
You will find it in Lafayette County, the MDC Kansas City Region, about 4 miles from Concordia.
What surface area does MDC give Edwin A Pape Lake?
Some 269 acres.
Where does a Show-Me boater launch on Edwin A Pape Lake?
1 mapped ramp, including Edwin A. Pape Lake (Concordia).
What fish does MDC report at Edwin A Pape Lake?
Listed: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and flathead catfish.
Does Edwin A Pape Lake have special fishing rules?
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky): 6 a day; All year.
Is a trout permit needed at Edwin A Pape Lake?
Missouri anglers 16 through 64 carry a fishing permit: $14 a year for residents, $57 for nonresidents, or $9 for a daily permit.
Does MDC allow gas motors on Edwin A Pape Lake?
Posted rules at the access apply; none is on file here.
Who sells minnows and crawdads near Edwin A Pape Lake?
Drive about 9 miles to Andy's Boat Repair.
What does MDC expect at Edwin A Pape Lake in 2026?
Largemouth bass fishing should continue to be good for both legal (greater than 15-inch) fish and sublegal (less than 15-inch) fish. The bass population is one of low density, yet high quality. Anglers report catching good numbers of all sizes of bass up to 20+ inches. Bass sampled in 2021 were in (MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects)
How full is Edwin A Pape Lake?
USGS reports it; the figure is above.
Pick a date for Edwin A Pape Lake
Check the daily limit before a fish goes in the livewell.