Pomme de Terre Lake Fishing
A 7,662-acre Missouri reservoir in Hickory County and Polk County.
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Pomme de Terre Lake in the MDC files
Pomme de Terre Lake covers 7,662 acres in Hickory County and Polk County, going by the MDC waterbody outline. The closest Census place is Hermitage, about 6 miles from the MDC label point. It is one of the waters of the MDC Southwest Region.
The dock layer lists 2 docks and jetties. There are 838 brush and rock attractor points on file. There are 9 recreation areas managed by the Corps. Special rules apply in 2 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: 417-895-6880.
The 2026 report on Pomme de Terre Lake
From the MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects entry for Pomme de Terre Lake:
Overall fishing on Pomme de Terre Lake should be very good. Steady or high lake levels during the spring season over the last several years has allowed for excellent spawning conditions for nearly all species. Black bass fishing should continue to be very good. There is a 13-inch minimum length limit for all black bass ( largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass ) at Pomme de Terre Lake. Results from the most recent spring fish surveys indicate a high-density bass population currently exists. Many of the largemouth bass captured during spring surveys were between 13 inches and 18 inches in length.
Catfish fishing will remain fair to good for channel catfish and flathead catfish with nightcrawlers and cut shad being the choice baits. Angling for white bass should continue to be good, the population appears to be relatively abundant and healthy. Muskie fishing could be improving in 2026. The most recent spring sampling resulted in slightly higher catch rates for muskie than the past few years. A good number of muskie are available ranging from 32 inches to 38 inches with several over 40 inches. Muskie are dubbed the fish of 10,000 casts due to the amount of time required to catch one. Anglers fishing for muskie must have a lot of patience and perseverance to be successful.
Walleye population densities are good due to past stockings. Many of the walleye exceed the 15-inch minimum length limit, and the opportunity to catch a legal-sized fish is good. Recent sampling indicates good numbers of Walleye between 18 inches and 22 inches in length. More than 30 brush piles are marked with green "Fish Attractor" signs around the lake. Brush piles are typically placed in 10-30 feet of water at the normal lake level of 839 feet above mean sea level directly in front of the signs. About another 400 brush piles are not marked with signs. All brush piles can be found on the Interactive Fishing Map at: Where to Fish | Missouri Department of Conservation
MDC, 2026 Missouri Fishing Prospects (report), quoted; retrieved October 27, 2026.
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MDC writing and records connect these species with Pomme de Terre 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 Pomme de Terre Lake
There are 838 sunken cover points across Pomme de Terre Lake, placed between 2010 and 2026.
One in 5 points is drawn so the map loads fast.
| Material | Points | Years placed |
|---|---|---|
| Cedars | 747 | 2010 to 2026 |
| Cedar-Hardwood | 68 | 2010 |
| Pallet | 23 | 2010 |
MDC Fishing Interactive Map, fish attractors layer (material and year placed as mapped), retrieved October 27, 2026.
Putting a boat or a line into Pomme de Terre Lake
The ramp layers show nothing on Pomme de Terre Lake, so nearby launches follow.
Where to cast from land at Pomme de Terre Lake
- Pomme De Terre Lake Management Landsfishing dock, accessible
- Pomme De Terre Lake Management Landsfishing dock
Parks the Corps runs on Pomme de Terre Lake
Bolivar Park, Damsite Park, Hermitage State Park, Lightfoot Landing, Nemo Landing, Outlet Park, Pittsburg State Park, Quarry Point Park and Wheatland Park.
Second-choice launches around Pomme de Terre Lake
- Hermitage Accessboat ramp, parking, 6 miles north
- Cross Timbers Accessboat ramp, parking, 9 miles north
- Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Cross Timbers) access on Harry S Truman LakeHarry S Truman Lake, 12 miles north
MDC boat ramp/access, dock and jetty layers; USACE Little Rock District ramps and USACE recreation areas; retrieved October 27, 2026.
Pool level at Pomme de Terre Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Pomme De Terre Lake Near Hermitage, Mo | 837.97 ft gage height | Oct 30 12:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 30, 2026 1:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USACE Kansas City District, Pomme de Terre Dam; reading for October 27, 2026, retrieved October 27, 2026. Provisional; Corps water control page.
Levels for Pomme de Terre Lake come from the gauge or Corps page named in the caption.
The rulebook for Pomme de Terre 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 Pomme de Terre Lake; the booklet exceptions override it.
Large-lake rules for Pomme de Terre Lake
| Water as printed | Where | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Pomme de Terre Lake | Whole water | Black bass — 13" minimum length limit |
| Pomme de Terre Lake | Whole water | Crappie — 9" minimum length limit; 15 fish daily 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.
Competitive fishing on Pomme de Terre Lake
Upcoming Pomme de Terre Lake dates and past winners have their own page.
Sizing Pomme de Terre Lake against its neighbours
Of the lakes listed, Lake of the Ozarks is biggest, 51,132 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Attractors | Species named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pomme de Terre Lake | 7,662 | 0 | 838 | 11 | |
| Harry S Truman Lake | 28 miles northwest | 49,330 | 1 | 788 | 11 |
| Stockton Lake | 29 miles southwest | 24,945 | 6 | 650 | 11 |
| Lake of the Ozarks | 35 miles northeast | 51,132 | 6 | 368 | 18 |
| Fellows Lake | 38 miles south | 800 | 1 | 98 | 11 |
| Atkinson Lake | 41 miles west | 434 | 1 | 18 | 5 |
MDC waterbody outlines, ramp and attractor layers, 2026 prospects; retrieved October 27, 2026.
The neighbourhood of Pomme de Terre Lake in Missouri
More MDC lakes around Pomme de Terre Lake
- Harry S Truman Lake28 miles northwest
- Stockton Lake29 miles southwest
- Lake of the Ozarks35 miles northeast
- Fellows Lake38 miles south
- Atkinson Lake41 miles west
Bait and tackle a short drive from Pomme de Terre Lake
- State Park Marinamarina, Pittsburg, 1 mile
- Harbor Marinamarina, Hermitage, 3 miles
- Nemo Landing Marinamarina, Pittsburg, 3 miles
- Fuzzy's Bait & Boozebait and tackle shop, Osceola, 17 miles
- Round Two Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Fair Play, 20 miles
- Osage Bluff Marinabait and tackle shop, Warsaw, 23 miles
Home-base towns for Pomme de Terre Lake
- Bolivar18 miles
- Buffalo19 miles
- Warsaw27 miles
Missouri county pages that take in Pomme de Terre Lake
- Hickory Countyseat: Hermitage
- Polk Countyseat: Bolivar
A Piscifun kit to carry to Pomme de Terre Lake
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Telling the fish of Pomme de Terre Lake apart by photo
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Quick answers about Pomme de Terre Lake
How do I find Pomme de Terre Lake on a Missouri map?
Head for Hickory County and Polk County, the MDC Southwest Region, about 6 miles from Hermitage.
How big is Pomme de Terre Lake on the MDC outline?
Close to 7,662 acres.
Is there a public boat ramp at Pomme de Terre Lake?
The ramp layers show none here.
What does the MDC fish list say about Pomme de Terre Lake?
largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and flathead catfish, by MDC sources.
Which regulations cover Pomme de Terre 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 Pomme de Terre 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 Pomme de Terre Lake?
MDC lists no rule in this set; check on site.
Which Missouri tackle shop sits closest to Pomme de Terre Lake?
State Park Marina is about 1 mile from the water.
What do biologists say about Pomme de Terre Lake?
Overall fishing on Pomme de Terre Lake should be very good. Steady or high lake levels during the spring season over the last several years has allowed for excellent spawning conditions for nearly all species. Black bass fishing should continue to be very good. There is a 13-inch minimum length (MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects)
What is the pool level at Missouri's Pomme de Terre Lake?
The panel above reads from USGS.
Where did MDC sink structure in Pomme de Terre Lake?
The cover section maps 838 points.
Take the Ozark back roads to Pomme de Terre Lake
Every Missouri fee and limit is one click away.