Lake Showme Fishing
A 253-acre Missouri lake in Scotland County.
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What the MDC outline says about Lake Showme
Conservation department GIS puts 253 acres of water inside the Lake Showme outline in Scotland County. Groceries and fuel are nearest in Memphis, roughly 3 miles away. It falls under the MDC Northeast Region. It lies on Lake Showme (Memphis).
The ramp layers show 3 mapped ramps. MDC adds 3 docks and jetties for shore fishing.
Boaters are reminded that outboard motors in excess of 10 horsepower are allowed but must be operated at slow, no-wake speed.
Boating note quoted from the MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects report for Lake Showme.
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: 660-785-2420.
What MDC biologists expect at Lake Showme in 2026
MDC published this 2026 forecast for Lake Showme:
This 225-acre lake in Scotland County should provide excellent fishing for multiple species. Largemouth bass abundance was high during the most recent spring sampling, and the size structure had increased since 2018, with 36 percent of the bass sampled measuring at least 15 inches long. Panfish angling should continue to be excellent. Anglers should expect to catch a high percentage of bluegill seven inches and longer. Although not as numerous, the odds of catching a redear sunfish seven inches or longer while fishing for bluegill are good with the largest observed redear sunfish from the most recent spring electrofishing being nearly 12 inches in length.
MDC, 2026 Missouri Fishing Prospects (report), quoted; retrieved October 27, 2026.
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Chips link each fish named for Lake Showme by the MDC prospects text, a state record or the trout program.
MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects text, MDC State Record Fish list and MDC trout program statements, retrieved October 27, 2026.
Launch points MDC maps around Lake Showme
- Lake Showme (Memphis) (east ramp)boat ramp, parking, privy nearby; Missouri Department of Conservation
- Lake Showme (Memphis) (west ramp)boat ramp, parking, privy nearby; Missouri Department of Conservation
- Lake Showme (Memphis)boat ramp, parking, privy nearby; Missouri Department of Conservation
Bank fishing structures on Lake Showme
- Lake Showme (Memphis)fishing dock
- Lake Showme (Memphis)fishing dock, accessible
- Lake Showme (Memphis)fish cleaning station, accessible
MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Keeping fish from Lake Showme 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 Lake Showme, 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 Lake Showme
Among the five closest Missouri lakes with pages, Hazel Creek Lake has the most water at 484 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Attractors | Species named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Showme | 253 | 3 | 0 | 5 | |
| Ewing (Ella) Lake | 13 miles southeast | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lancaster City Lake | 18 miles west | 42 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Paul Bloch Memorial Pond | 19 miles northwest | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Hazel Creek Lake | 23 miles southwest | 484 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Fox Valley Lake | 24 miles east | 105 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Missouri places a short haul from Lake Showme
Missouri lakes not far from Lake Showme
- Ewing (Ella) Lake13 miles southeast
- Lancaster City Lake18 miles west
- Paul Bloch Memorial Pond19 miles northwest
- Hazel Creek Lake23 miles southwest
- Fox Valley Lake24 miles east
Buying minnows and worms near Lake Showme
- Greentop Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Greentop, 19 miles
Missouri towns to stay in near Lake Showme
- Memphis3 miles
- Edina19 miles
- Kirksville25 miles
Missouri county guides that cover Lake Showme
- Scotland Countyseat: Memphis
Reels from Piscifun worth bringing to Lake Showme
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photo guide to fish at Lake Showme
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
Lake Showme questions, with short answers
What Missouri town is closest to Lake Showme?
MDC maps it in Scotland County, the MDC Northeast Region, about 3 miles from Memphis.
Is Lake Showme a large lake for Missouri?
253 acres by MDC GIS.
How many MDC or Corps ramps serve Lake Showme?
3 mapped ramps on file, Lake Showme (Memphis) (east ramp) among them.
Which species live in Lake Showme?
Expect largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and walleye.
How many black bass may a Missouri angler keep at Lake Showme?
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky): 6 a day; All year.
What permit does a visitor buy for Lake Showme?
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 Lake Showme?
MDC writes: Boaters are reminded that outboard motors in excess of 10 horsepower are allowed but must be operated at slow, no-wake speed.
Where do Lake Showme anglers buy supplies?
Greentop Bait Shop is nearest at 19 miles.
How is fishing at Lake Showme this year?
This 225-acre lake in Scotland County should provide excellent fishing for multiple species. Largemouth bass abundance was high during the most recent spring sampling, and the size structure had increased since 2018, with 36 percent of the bass sampled measuring at least 15 inches long. Panfish (MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects)
Plan a day on Lake Showme
Fees, seasons and special rules are on the permit page.