Smithville Lake

Smithville Lake

Size
7,005ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Smithville Lake
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Crappie
Crappie
Bluegill
Bluegill
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Walleye
Walleye
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Blue catfish
Blue catfish
White bass
White bass

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

Smithville Lake 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.
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Fish Species

Blue catfish
fish
4-45 in
Length Range
18 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2021
Jun
2022
Jun
2023
Jun
Bluegill
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
Apr
2024
May
Channel catfish
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
Apr
2024
May
Crappie
fish
5-16 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
May
2024
Nov
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202415
202316
202214
202114
202014
Flathead catfish
fish
4-45 in
Length Range
18 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2023
May
2023
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized flathead-catfish based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202349
202246
202146
202050
Largemouth bass
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
Apr
2024
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202422
202321
202222
202121
202020
Walleye
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
Apr
2024
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201828
White bass
fish
5-16 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
May
2024
Nov