Long Branch Lake Fishing
A 2,750-acre Missouri reservoir in Macon County.
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Long Branch Lake in the MDC files
Long Branch Lake covers 2,750 acres in Macon County, going by the MDC waterbody outline. The closest Census place is Bevier, about 4 miles from the MDC label point. It is one of the waters of the MDC Northeast Region.
There are 14 brush and rock attractor points on file. There are 4 recreation areas managed by the Corps. Special rules apply in 4 special regulations.
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.
The 2026 report on Long Branch Lake
From the MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects entry for Long Branch Lake:
Results of a 2025 survey indicated that largemouth bass numbers will continue to be low at Long Branch Lake, but a high proportion of those caught by anglers in 2026 will be 15 inches or longer. Hybrid striped bass fishing will be good in 2026 for anglers that concentrate on fishing main lake points, keeping a watch out for schooling hybrids breaking the surface feeding upon gizzard shad. Channel catfish in the 2-3-pound range will provide good action for bank anglers and those fishing the flooded timber in the Long Branch and East Fork of Little Chariton River arms. Large blue catfish are not uncommon; jugs fished with shad are most effective in spring and early fall.
White and black crappie grow slowly at Long Branch Lake, and historically a very small percentage reach 9 inches in length, a size desirable to anglers. In recent years, the size structure of the white crappie population appears to be gradually improving. The results of a fall 2025 survey indicated the abundance of desirable size white crappie was high, with nearly 60 percent of those captured measuring 9 inches or longer. Abundant, small common carp can provide fast action for pole and line angling and bowfishing. Locations of fish attractors can be found at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZpN . A barrier free fishing dock near the marina enhances the fishing opportunities at Long Branch Lake.
From Macon, take Highway 36 west two and seven-tenths miles to the Long Branch Lake Road exit. Turn north on Long Branch Lake Road and immediately turn west on Visitor Center Road and follow for three miles to the marina and boat ramp.
MDC, 2026 Missouri Fishing Prospects (report), quoted; retrieved October 27, 2026.
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MDC writing and records connect these species with Long Branch Lake.
MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects text, MDC State Record Fish list and MDC trout program statements, retrieved October 27, 2026.
Where MDC sank cover in Long Branch Lake
There are 14 sunken cover points across Long Branch Lake, placed between 2013 and 2026.
| Material | Points | Years placed |
|---|---|---|
| Cedars | 10 | 2013 to 2026 |
| Cedar-Hardwood | 4 | 2013 |
MDC Fishing Interactive Map, fish attractors layer (material and year placed as mapped), retrieved October 27, 2026.
Putting a boat or a line into Long Branch Lake
The ramp layers show nothing on Long Branch Lake, so nearby launches follow.
Parks the Corps runs on Long Branch Lake
Administration Rec Facilities, Bee Trace, Bloomington and Macon.
Second-choice launches around Long Branch Lake
- Macon City LakeMacon City Lake, 3 miles southeast
- Atlanta Conservation Area, Pond 8Pond 8, 5 miles north
- Dodd Accessboat ramp, parking, 9 miles west
MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Pool level at Long Branch Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Long Branch Reservoir Near Macon, Mo | 791.51 ft gage height | Oct 28 6:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 28, 2026 7:34 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USACE Kansas City District, Long Branch Dam; reading for October 27, 2026, retrieved October 27, 2026. Provisional; Corps water control page.
Levels for Long Branch Lake come from the gauge or Corps page named in the caption.
The rulebook for Long 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 Long Branch Lake; the booklet exceptions override it.
Large-lake rules for Long Branch Lake
| Water as printed | Where | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Long Branch Lake | Whole water | Black bass — 15" minimum length limit |
| Long Branch Lake | Whole water | Hybrid striped bass — 20" minimum length limit; daily limit of 4 |
| Long Branch Lake | Whole water | Crappie — 15 fish daily limit |
| Long Branch Lake | Whole water | Walleye and sauger — 18" minimum length limit |
Rules as printed in A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026 (MDC, effective March 1, 2026) (booklet PDF, Special Regulations on Large Lakes and on Rivers and Streams); checked against the current Wildlife Code October 27, 2026.
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.
Sizing Long Branch Lake against its neighbours
Of the lakes listed, Thomas Hill Reservoir is biggest, 4,013 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Attractors | Species named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Branch Lake | 2,750 | 0 | 14 | 9 | |
| Macon City Lake | 3 miles southeast | 189 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Blees Lake | 6 miles southeast | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thomas Hill Reservoir | 15 miles southwest | 4,013 | 4 | 30 | 6 |
| La Plata City Lake | 15 miles north | 84 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Sugar Creek Lake | 22 miles south | 308 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.
The neighbourhood of Long Branch Lake in Missouri
More MDC lakes around Long Branch Lake
- Macon City Lake3 miles southeast
- Blees Lake6 miles southeast
- Thomas Hill Reservoir15 miles southwest
- La Plata City Lake15 miles north
- Sugar Creek Lake22 miles south
Bait and tackle a short drive from Long Branch Lake
- Tong Branch Marina Storemarina, Macon, 1 mile
- Ardent Outdoors Incbait and tackle shop, Macon, 4 miles
Home-base towns for Long Branch Lake
- Macon4 miles
- La Plata16 miles
- Marceline24 miles
Missouri county pages that take in Long Branch Lake
- Macon Countyseat: Macon
A Piscifun kit to carry to Long Branch Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the fish of Long 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 Long Branch Lake
How do I find Long Branch Lake on a Missouri map?
Head for Macon County, the MDC Northeast Region, about 4 miles from Bevier.
How big is Long Branch Lake on the MDC outline?
Close to 2,750 acres.
Is there a public boat ramp at Long Branch Lake?
The ramp layers show none here.
What does the MDC fish list say about Long Branch Lake?
hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish and common carp, by MDC sources.
Which regulations cover Long Branch Lake?
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky): 6 a day; All year. MDC also prints a special rule for this water, shown in the limits section.
Which Missouri permit covers Long 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 Long Branch Lake?
MDC lists no rule in this set; check on site.
Which Missouri tackle shop sits closest to Long Branch Lake?
Tong Branch Marina Store is about 1 mile from the water.
What do biologists say about Long Branch Lake?
Results of a 2025 survey indicated that largemouth bass numbers will continue to be low at Long Branch Lake, but a high proportion of those caught by anglers in 2026 will be 15 inches or longer. Hybrid striped bass fishing will be good in 2026 for anglers that concentrate on fishing main lake (MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects)
What is the pool level at Missouri's Long Branch Lake?
The panel above reads from USGS.
Where did MDC sink structure in Long Branch Lake?
The cover section maps 14 points.
Take the Ozark back roads to Long Branch Lake
Every Missouri fee and limit is one click away.