239 Lakes · 117 Rivers · 115 Counties · 357 TownsMissouri state record fish
States
CaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioPennsylvaniaTexasWisconsin
.sf-mo{–ink:#221A2B;–deep:#173F45;–teal:#8A2462;–mist:#F4F1F3;–foam:#FBF9FA;–lure:#8FC9FF;–lure-ink:#10335C;–line:#E3DDE2;–muted:#544A57}.sf-mo .sf-hero{background-color:#11545C;background-image:radial-gradient(820px 480px at 96% 100%,rgba(90,168,240,.34),rgba(90,168,240,0) 62%),radial-gradient(740px 440px at 4% 0%,rgba(242,230,208,.22),rgba(242,230,208,0) 60%),linear-gradient(200deg,#196A67,#11545C 48%,#0A2A33);clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 30px),93.75% calc(100% – 14px),87.5% calc(100% – 8px),81.25% calc(100% – 14px),75% calc(100% – 30px),68.75% calc(100% – 46px),62.5% calc(100% – 52px),56.25% calc(100% – 46px),50% calc(100% – 30px),43.75% calc(100% – 14px),37.5% calc(100% – 8px),31.25% calc(100% – 14px),25% calc(100% – 30px),18.75% calc(100% – 46px),12.5% calc(100% – 52px),6.25% calc(100% – 46px),0% calc(100% – 30px));padding-bottom:96px}.sf-mo .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(34,26,43,.84) 0%,rgba(34,26,43,.52) 52%,rgba(34,26,43,.16) 100%)}.sf-mo .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:999px 0 999px 0;background:#221A2B;color:#DCEEFF;border-bottom:3px solid #8FC9FF;padding:5px 15px 4px 13px;letter-spacing:.07em}.sf-mo .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#EAF3F2}.sf-mo .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(34,26,43,.90) 0%,rgba(34,26,43,.66) 46%,rgba(17,84,92,.32) 80%,rgba(17,84,92,.20) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(14,10,18,.72),rgba(14,10,18,0) 50%)}.sf-mo .sf-bar{background-color:#221A2B;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 96% 0,rgba(90,168,240,.26),rgba(90,168,240,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#221A2B 40%,#11545C)}.sf-mo .sf-bar p{color:#E6EEF0}.sf-mo .sf-band–white,.sf-mo .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 94% 6%,rgba(17,84,92,.15),rgba(17,84,92,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 96%,rgba(143,201,255,.34),rgba(143,201,255,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(214,150,186,.12),rgba(214,150,186,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#FBF9FA,#EFEAEE)}.sf-mo .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 6% 6%,rgba(17,84,92,.15),rgba(17,84,92,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 96%,rgba(143,201,255,.34),rgba(143,201,255,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#FBF9FA,#EFEAEE)}.sf-mo .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F4F1F3;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 10% 8%,rgba(214,150,186,.26),rgba(214,150,186,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(17,84,92,.16),rgba(17,84,92,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#F9F7F8,#F4F1F3,#E8E2E7)}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink{color:#EAF3F2}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep{background-color:#173F45;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(242,230,208,.10),rgba(242,230,208,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 6% 94%,rgba(90,168,240,.18),rgba(90,168,240,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#1D4D53,#173F45,#0F2C31)}.sf-mo .sf-band–ink{background-color:#221A2B;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 8% 6%,rgba(17,84,92,.58),rgba(17,84,92,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(138,36,98,.22),rgba(138,36,98,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#2B2236,#221A2B,#150F1B)}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#CFE0E2}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-mo .sf-cta p{color:#E2EDEE}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#DDE9EA}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#E2EDEE}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#7A1F57}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#4C4350}.sf-mo .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#11545C,#5FA6A3)}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#5AA8F0,#8FC9FF)}.sf-mo .sf-pill{background:#E9E3EA;color:#2A2133}.sf-mo .sf-btn:hover{background:#BEE0FF;border-color:#BEE0FF}.sf-mo .sf-card-img,.sf-mo .sf-tile{background-color:#11545C}.sf-mo .sf-q p{color:#352C3A}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#A9D6FF}.sf-mo .sf-kicker{color:#8A2462}.sf-mo .sf-pf-card h3{color:#0C1F2C!important}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.48);background:rgba(14,10,18,.38)}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#A9D6FF}.sf-mo .sf-tablewrap{color:#221A2B;border-color:#E3DDE2}.sf-mo .sf-table td{color:#221A2B}.sf-mo .sf-table th{background:#11545C;color:#fff}.sf-mo .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F5F2F5}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#7A1F57}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#E6F0F0}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-q h3,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-q h3{color:#FFFFFF}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-pill a{color:#7A1F57}.sf-mo .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-mo .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#BEE0FF}.sf-mo .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-mo .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-mo .sf-note{color:#221A2B}body.sfs .sf-mo .sf-note a{color:#7A1F57}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-mo .sf-hero{clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 18px),93.75% calc(100% – 9px),87.5% calc(100% – 5px),81.25% calc(100% – 9px),75% calc(100% – 18px),68.75% calc(100% – 27px),62.5% calc(100% – 31px),56.25% calc(100% – 27px),50% calc(100% – 18px),43.75% calc(100% – 9px),37.5% calc(100% – 5px),31.25% calc(100% – 9px),25% calc(100% – 18px),18.75% calc(100% – 27px),12.5% calc(100% – 31px),6.25% calc(100% – 27px),0% calc(100% – 18px));padding-bottom:64px}}
Missouri lakes and reservoirs

Happy Holler Lake Fishing

A 58-acre Missouri lake in Andrew County.

Get driving directions
Piscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reelPick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 $79.99

Photo of Missouri River: Americasroof at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5

Andrew County

Where Happy Holler Lake sits and how big it is

The MDC outline gives Happy Holler Lake a surface of 58 acres, spread over Andrew County. The shortest run to a town is Rea, near 3 miles. Biologists of the MDC Northwest Region look after it. MDC lists it as part of Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area.

You can launch at 1 mapped ramp. Shore anglers can use 3 docks and jetties. Anglers can target 17 mapped attractor points.

58acres
1mapped ramps
17attractor points
3docks 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.

Directions to Happy Holler LakeMDC area page
2026 prospects

This season at Happy Holler Lake, per MDC

In its 2026 prospects, MDC reports on Happy Holler Lake as follows:

Happy Holler Lake, a 67-acre impoundment in Andrew County offers great potential for quality bluegill, redear sunfish, and crappie , as well as a good opportunity for fast action for largemouth bass . Electrofishing catch-rates are very good for both size and numbers of largemouth bass. There are a lot of bass in the lake, and recent surveys show that 18 percent of the bass measured over 15 inches. Happy Holler lake gets very high fishing pressure, so anglers are only allowed to harvest two bass per day, and they must be over 18 inches. Quality-sized largemouth bass over 20 inches are also available. Black crappie have had great spawns in 2022 and 2023.

MDC, 2026 Missouri Fishing Prospects (report), quoted; retrieved October 27, 2026.

Piscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reelFor the bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 $79.99
Species

Species reported at Happy Holler Lake

Tap a fish to open its Missouri species page; each one is named for Happy Holler Lake by MDC.

Largemouth bass Crappie Bluegill Redear sunfish Channel catfish Black crappie

MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects text, MDC State Record Fish list and MDC trout program statements, retrieved October 27, 2026.

Cover

MDC fish attractors in Happy Holler Lake

MDC maps 17 attractor points in Happy Holler Lake, placed in 2017.

MaterialPointsYears placed
Hardwood172017

MDC Fishing Interactive Map, fish attractors layer (material and year placed as mapped), retrieved October 27, 2026.

Access

Ramps and docks on Happy Holler Lake

  • Happy Holler Lake Conservation Areaboat ramp, accessible, parking, privy nearby; Missouri Department of Conservation

Fishing docks MDC maps at Happy Holler Lake

  • Happy Holler Lake Conservation Areafishing dock, accessible
  • Happy Holler Lake Conservation Areafishing jetty
  • Happy Holler Lake Conservation Areafishing jetty

Boat ramps within reach of Happy Holler Lake

  • Savannah City LakeSavannah City Lake, 8 miles southwest
  • Limpp Community LakeLimpp Community Lake, 11 miles east

MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.

Limits

Bag and length rules at Happy Holler Lake

SpeciesDaily limit and lengthSeason
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky)6 a dayAll year
Channel catfish10 a dayAll year
Blue catfish5 a dayAll year
Flathead catfish5 a dayAll year
Crappie (black and white)30 a dayAll year
Goggle-eye (Ozark, rock, and shadow bass) and warmouth15 a day; 7" minimumAll year
Muskellunge1 (daily limit is 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike); 36" minimumAll year
Northern pike1 (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 dayAll year
Shovelnose sturgeon10 a day; 30" maximum (snout to fork of tail)All year
Trout (rainbow and brown)4 a day; Rainbow: none; Brown: 15" minimum in streamsAll year
Walleye and sauger4 a day; 15" minimumAll year
White, yellow, and striped bass and their hybrids15 a day; No more than 4 longer than 18"All year

At Happy Holler Lake the statewide limits apply, with any listed exception taking priority.

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.

Missouri permits and limits
Compare

MDC lakes near Happy Holler Lake, put side by side

For more room to roam, King Lake offers 180 acres.

LakeDistanceAcresRampsAttractorsSpecies named
Happy Holler Lake581176
Silt Basin 7under a mile west5040
Savannah City Lake8 miles southwest191226
Limpp Community Lake11 miles east271137
King Lake16 miles east180100
Krug Park Lagoon17 miles south3000

MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.

Nearby

What else lies close to Happy Holler Lake

Lakes to try after Happy Holler Lake

  • Silt Basin 7under a mile west
  • Savannah City Lake8 miles southwest
  • Limpp Community Lake11 miles east
  • King Lake16 miles east
  • Krug Park Lagoon17 miles south

Shops anglers stop at before Happy Holler Lake

  • Rea's One Horse Grocery Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Rea, 3 miles
  • Dick's Sporting Goods St. Josephsporting goods store, St. Joseph, 16 miles
  • J & B Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Saint Joseph, 20 miles
  • Dick's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Saint Joseph, 20 miles
  • Big Bird's Baitbait and tackle shop, Maryville, 23 miles

Where to sleep before fishing Happy Holler Lake

  • Savannah8 miles
  • Country Club13 miles
  • Stanberry17 miles

Counties sharing Happy Holler Lake

  • Andrew Countyseat: Savannah
Piscifun

Line and reels from Piscifun ahead of Happy Holler Lake

Piscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel

Piscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFF

Sale $57.99 $79.99
Piscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel

Piscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFF

Sale $59.99 $79.99
Piscifun Carbon R1 spinning rod

Piscifun Carbon R1 spinning rod21% OFF

Sale $204.99 $259.99
Piscifun Carbon X II spinning reel

Piscifun Carbon X II spinning reel46% OFF

Sale $67.99 $124.99

Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.

Photos

Photographs of fishing water by Happy Holler Lake

Missouri River, Missouri
Missouri River 28 mi
Photo: Americasroof at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5
Buchanan County, Missouri
Buchanan County 19 mi
Photo: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0
Smithville Lake, Missouri
Smithville Lake 42 mi
Photo: Laura Gilchrist, CC BY 2.0
Clay County, Missouri
Clay County 57 mi
Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
Answers

Before a trip to Happy Holler Lake, the common questions

Where in the Show-Me State is Happy Holler Lake?

The outline sits in Andrew County, the MDC Northwest Region, about 3 miles from Rea.

How many acres is Happy Holler Lake by MDC mapping?

The outline measures 58 acres.

Where is the nearest ramp to Happy Holler Lake?

Yes, 1 mapped ramp, such as Happy Holler Lake Conservation Area.

Which gamefish are named for Happy Holler Lake?

MDC names largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and black crappie.

Is there a length limit at Happy Holler Lake?

Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky): 6 a day; All year.

Can a visitor from another state fish Missouri's Happy Holler 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 there a horsepower limit on Happy Holler Lake?

No motor limit is on file; signs on site decide.

Where does a Missouri angler buy bait near Happy Holler Lake?

Closest listed: Rea's One Horse Grocery Bait & Tackle, 3 miles.

What is the 2026 outlook for Happy Holler Lake?

Happy Holler Lake, a 67-acre impoundment in Andrew County offers great potential for quality bluegill, redear sunfish, and crappie , as well as a good opportunity for fast action for largemouth bass . Electrofishing catch-rates are very good for both size and numbers of largemouth bass. There are a (MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects)

Has MDC added fish cover to Happy Holler Lake?

Yes: 17 attractor points on the MDC layer.

Give a Missouri weekend to Happy Holler Lake

Buy the Missouri permit online before the trip.

Missouri permits and limitsAll Missouri lakes