Smithville Lake

Located only 20 miles from downtown Kansas City, Smithville Lake receives substantial fishing and recreational use from May through September. ater skiing, pleasure boating and sailing are confined to the lower portion of the lake. Flooded timber remains standing in the upper two-thirds of the Platte River Arm and the upper two-thirds of Camp Branch.From October 15 through January 15, about 2,200 acres of land and water just north of the Highway W bridge are closed to all use. Known as Honker Cove Waterfowl Refuge, the area extends about 1.5 miles upstream from the bridge and is a popular area for migrating Canada geese.

Bluegill and young-of-the-year panfish and rough fish comprise the bulk of the forage base. Gizzard shad can be significant prey, but generally Smithville's population attains large sizes, protecting many from predation.

Movement patterns of migratory walleye and white bass have not been studied. It is assumed that walleye move to the dam face to spawn and white bass move into the upper reaches of the Platte River and Owl Creek.