Lake information:
Burtons Bait and Tackle, L.L.C.
119 N. 169 Hwy.
Smithville, MO  64089
Phone:  (816) 532-4659
Tell them you got their number here on the Missouri Sportsmen's Information Network
 

Dave Peacock and Kevin Cartwright show off their winning stringer of 5 fish that weighed 22 lbs 9 oz. with a kicker that weighed 7 lbs 8 oz. in a Thursday night tournament. photo courtesy Burtons Bait and Tackle

Information: 816/792-8662
 

Smithville Lake offers Kansas City area anglers the pleasure of fishing a large lake without the long drive down south. Covering 7,190 acres, this lake has many timbered covers and wind swept points. Crappie and largemouth bass are the most sought after species at Smithville, but channel, blue and flathead catfish offer great fishing opportunities. Walleye and white bass have recently become a larger part of the fishery as well. The last two years have been fair crappie fishing years. Our netting information from the fall samples show a much greater percentage of 9" and larger crappie will be available in the spring of 2002 than in 2000 or 2001. Almost sixty percent of our white crappie catch this fall was of 9" and larger fish, much greater than the forty percent for the fall of 1999.  Crappie grow quickly when food is plentiful and the larger sizes could be a result of the huge numbers of shad hatched this year. Netting information doesn’t always mirror what anglers catch the next spring, but these numbers indicate a very good year is possible. Weather conditions can make crappie fishing finicky, but if you fish away from the areas that get fished a lot (bridges and marinas) your catch of larger crappie should be good. Bass reproduction continues to slowly improve. Efforts continue to establish aquatic vegetation in Smithville Lake.

Steve Kelley with his 6 lb. 5 oz  bass caught 4-7-02. photo courtesy Burtons Bait and Tackle

John Halastik with his 3 lb 3 oz crappie caught May 3rd. photo courtesy Burtons Bait and Tackle

A large project was completed in 2001 that saw 16 sites planted with a variety of aquatic plants and similar work is planned for 2002. We also noted that the Eurasion Milfoil which was so prevalent in the late 1980's and early 1990's has begun to return to the lake. Catfishing at Smithville can be outstanding. For fast action, fish for channel catfish at night in the upper ends of the lake arms and on flats in the main lake. Trotlines also work well for channel cats. Blue catfish are caught fishing with jugs in the main lake and trotlines uplake. Bait with live shad and watch out for boat traffic. It’s best to wait until late evening to try this method. Flathead numbers are increasing. Fish live bait in the timbered, rocky areas near creek channels. Remember limb lines, jugs and trot lines must be labeled with the name and address of the angler. Walleye that were stocked in 1998 and 2000 are becoming a much larger part of the fishery.

 Our sampling in 2001 showed that our 1998 stockings are really adding to the fishery. Anglers are targeting walleye in the summer months on the flats and limits are not uncommon. Another stocking of walleye will take place this spring. An exciting quarry at Smithville is the white bass. These fish are fun to chase in the fall with crankbaits or topwater lures as the white bass come to the surface chasing shad. Wait for a school to begin feeding and rush to the spot and cast rapidly. Repeating this while chasing several schools provides fast, exciting action. Smithville Lake offers a variety of fishing opportunities for everyone from the "worm-dunker" to the high-tech bass angler. There’s even a special dock for the disabled- user at the Crows Creek access.

fishing prospects courtesy of MDC