Little Platte River

Little Platte River

View in the App
Size
NA
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Little Platte River

Overview

Located only 20 miles from downtown Kansas City, this lake receives substantial fishing and recreational use. Despite the pressure, good numbers of bass, even some trophies, are present. Channel and flathead cats flourish. 7,190 acres

Little Platte River Map

Features

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.

Forage

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.

Seasonal Movements

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.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Start 7-Day Free Trial
Buy onX Fish Midwest

Fish Species

Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
White bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data

Nearby Lakes

waterbodys

Newby Lake

Size: 8 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Plattsburg Old Reservoir

Size: 15 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Six Mile Lane Lake

Size: 39 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

Roberts Branch

Size: NA

Fish Species: 3

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Hartell (Ronald and Maude) CA (Redear Lake)

Size: 2 acres

Fish Species: 4

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Hartell Lake

Size: 5 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Hartell Lakes

Size: 5 acres

Fish Species: 4

Boat Launch: Yes