Lake Taneycomo

Lake Taneycomo was a warm-water lake until Table Rock Dam went in upstream in 1958. Now the cold water released from the bottom of Table Rock makes the 22 miles of Taneycomo, through Branson, a trout lake, and it fishes more like a big tailwater than a lake. Water temperature stays in the 40s and 50s all year near the dam, and the state stocks rainbows every month and browns once a year.

Everything turns on the generation schedule at Table Rock Dam. With no generation, the upper lake below the dam drops and slows, and the trophy area from the dam to Fall Creek can be waded; when the turbines run, it rises fast and becomes boat water. That trophy area is flies and artificial lures only, with a protected slot for rainbows, and it is where the big fish live: midges, scuds and sowbugs fished small and deep are the staples, with streamers when the water moves. Check the release schedule before every trip, and never wade without knowing it.