November ~

Stockton Lake is primarily known for its excellent fishing as well as sailing. Most people come to Stockton Lake, a 24,900-acre reservoir constructed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers located in Dade, Cedar, and Polk counties, for the fishing. Even in winter.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), 2025 will be “excellent” for walleye, “good to excellent” for white bass, and “good” for white and black crappie but “fair to good” for bluegill and “poor to fair” for bass. Channel catfish are also considered “best bets” in Stockton Lake for 2025. These projections are based on the previous year’s angler reports, records of species stocked, and conservation efforts. For a full report, see this link.

The MDC says walleye can be found in coves, shallow water, and along the dam.

For catching crappie, the MDC recommends using minnows or small jigs around brush structure. The MDC, along with the Corps of Engineers, has created fish attractors — about 400 of them, in fact — at Stockton Lake, most recently near the North boat ramp by Mutton Creek.

Bluegill fishing, according to the MDC, will be better if anglers wait until summer and to use crickets or nightcrawlers in 15-20 foot depths, especially around bridge pillars.

If you’re looking for largemouth bass, the MDC reports black bass thriving in Stockton Lake, especially in the northern sections of the lake. Other species such as smallmouth bass and spotted bass are also present throughout Stockton Lake and especially by the dam. White bass can be found in tributaries of the lake with best prospects beginning in mid-March through the end of April.

Channel catfish are a little more challenging at Stockton Lake, according to the MDC, but better odds are in large coves and the upper half of the lake.

Good luck, anglers!

Check AirBnb and VRBO for availability for your winter fishing base camp.

Our vacation property rental, Mutton Creek Getaway, can be your base camp for your fishing and other Stockton Lake adventures.

Mutton Creek Getaway is nestled in a serene patch of woods just four miles from Mutton Creek Marina and also near the Greenfield boat access. We also have a full-hookup RV site and plenty of boat parking.

Besides fishinh, there are plenty of other things to do in the Stockton Lake area, such as shopping, boating, hiking trails, hunting, going out to eat, exploring history, family activities, and other ways of enjoying the serenity of rural Dade and Cedar counties in southwest Missouri in the Ozarks.

Follow Mutton Creek Getaway on Facebook and Instagram for local events and news.

Reserve Your Getaway