.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

Sims Valley Community Lake Fishing

A 42-acre Missouri lake in Howell County.

Get driving directions

Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 ~~$129.99~~

Photo of Norfork Lake: Brandonrush, CC0 1.0

Howell County

The facts on Sims Valley Community Lake

MDC maps Sims Valley Community Lake at 42 acres of open water in Howell County. From the water, Willow Springs sits about 6 miles away. The water sits inside the MDC Ozark Region. Access comes through Sims Valley Community Lake.

Trailers go in at 1 mapped ramp. Walk-on fishing comes from 2 docks and jetties. 18 attractor points of cedar, stumps or rock sit on its bottom.

42acres

1mapped ramps

18attractor points

2docks and jetties

Anglers who want to boat fish are reminded that only electric trolling motors are allowed.

Boating note quoted from the MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects report for Sims Valley Community Lake.

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: 417-256-7161.

Directions to Sims Valley Community Lake MDC area page

2026 prospects

MDC sampling notes on Sims Valley Community Lake

The 2026 Missouri Fishing Prospects says this about Sims Valley Community Lake:

An abundance of submerged trees throughout this 41-acre lake, and patches of aquatic vegetation along the shoreline, provides both fish cover and anglers areas to target in 2026. The 2025 spring fish survey indicated decent numbers of largemouth bass within the protected slot limit of 12 inches to 15 inches, and a good number of quality sized bass over 15 inches to pursue. This protective regulation should provide good catch and release fishing for 2026. Anglers are encouraged to harvest bass under the slot limit.

Anglers can expect a good number of redear sunfish to reach Master Angler Award size, or over 10 inches, in 2026. These fish can be found in shallow water in mid-April to early June. They can be found where there is plenty of standing timber and vegetation. Redear typically inhabit deeper water than bluegill and congregate around stumps, logs, and rootwads. Favorite baits for redear sunfish include worms, crickets, and grubs. The current bluegill population has been increasing in number with some reaching over 6 inches in length. Fish for bluegill along shoreline vegetation. Look for bluegill spawning in shallow water in May and June.

Chain pickerel offer another great angling opportunity with quality fish and good numbers expected for 2026. Concentrate angling effort using topwater lures in and around the aquatic vegetation, especially in the spring. Sims Valley Lake offers a covered fishing dock, picnic area, privy, concrete boat ramp, courtesy dock, and includes disabled access. Anglers who want to boat fish are reminded that only electric trolling motors are allowed. There is a bulletin board located at the boat ramp with regulation signs.

At the end of Highway RA, North of Highway 60 between Mountain View and Willow Springs.

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

For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 ~~$159.99~~

Species

What bites at Sims Valley Community Lake

The roster for Sims Valley Community Lake comes from MDC sources; unlisted fish may also be present.

Largemouth bass Bluegill Redear sunfish Channel catfish

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

Cover

Brush piles and cover in Sims Valley Community Lake

Habitat crews mapped 18 attractor points in Sims Valley Community Lake, placed between 2010 and 2016.

Material	Points	Years placed
Cedars	18	2010 to 2016

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

Access

Where to get on Sims Valley Community Lake

Sims Valley Community Lakeboat ramp, parking, privy nearby; Missouri Department of Conservation

Walk-out docks on Sims Valley Community Lake

Sims Valley Community Lakefishing dock, accessible
Sims Valley Community Lakefishing dock

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

Limits

What a Missouri angler may keep at Sims Valley Community 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

These statewide rows hold at Sims Valley Community Lake unless a special regulation below changes them.

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

Sims Valley Community Lake and the closest MDC lakes

Norfork Lake leads this group on size with 18,798 acres.

Lake	Distance	Acres	Ramps	Attractors	Species named
Sims Valley Community Lake		42	1	18	4
Austin Community Lake	21 miles northwest	22	1	11	0
White Ranch Lake	31 miles south	7	1	0	0
Norfork Lake	40 miles southwest	18,798	4	201	5
Shawnee Lake	48 miles northeast	16	1	0	0
Macs Lake	48 miles northeast	26	1	0	0

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

Nearby

Shops, towns and water around Sims Valley Community Lake

Neighbouring MDC impoundments to Sims Valley Community Lake

Austin Community Lake21 miles northwest
White Ranch Lake31 miles south
Norfork Lake40 miles southwest
Shawnee Lake48 miles northeast
Macs Lake48 miles northeast

Where to stock the cooler for Sims Valley Community Lake

End of the Trail Guns & Rodsbait and tackle shop, Mountain Grove, 20 miles
West Plains Marinebait and tackle shop, West Plains, 24 miles

Towns with a bed near Sims Valley Community Lake

Willow Springs6 miles
Mountain View8 miles
Cabool16 miles

County-by-county pages for Sims Valley Community Lake

Howell Countyseat: West Plains

Piscifun

Piscifun spinning and casting gear to pack for Sims Valley Community Lake

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

Fish photos

Fish pictures to know before Sims Valley Community Lake

White Crappie, Missouri — White Crappie
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0

Goggle-eye, Missouri — Goggle-eye
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain

Paddlefish, Missouri — Paddlefish
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain

Shovelnose Sturgeon, Missouri — Shovelnose Sturgeon
Photo: MONGO, CC BY-SA 3.0

Answers

Sims Valley Community Lake: questions Show-Me anglers bring up

Which Missouri county is Sims Valley Community Lake in?

Look in Howell County, the MDC Ozark Region, about 6 miles from Willow Springs.

What does MDC list as the size of Sims Valley Community Lake?

Roughly 42 acres on the MDC outline.

Can I trailer a boat into Sims Valley Community Lake?

MDC and the Corps map 1 mapped ramp; Sims Valley Community Lake is one.

Does Sims Valley Community Lake have bass and crappie?

On the list: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish.

Which 2026 Missouri rules apply on Sims Valley Community Lake?

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

What does a fishing permit cost for Sims Valley Community Lake?

Missouri anglers 16 through 64 carry a fishing permit: $14 a year for residents, $57 for nonresidents, or $9 for a daily permit.

What motors are allowed on Sims Valley Community Lake?

MDC writes: Anglers who want to boat fish are reminded that only electric trolling motors are allowed.

Which shop on our Missouri list is nearest Sims Valley Community Lake?

Try End of the Trail Guns & Rods, roughly 20 miles off.

Is Sims Valley Community Lake fishing well in 2026?

An abundance of submerged trees throughout this 41-acre lake, and patches of aquatic vegetation along the shoreline, provides both fish cover and anglers areas to target in 2026. The 2025 spring fish survey indicated decent numbers of largemouth bass within the protected slot limit of 12 inches to (MDC 2026 Fishing Prospects)

Are there brush piles in Sims Valley Community Lake?

18 points, broken down by material above.

Hitch the bass boat and head for Sims Valley Community Lake

Read the limits above, then pick the ramp nearest your target.

Missouri permits and limits All Missouri lakes