Army Corps reservoir

Smithville Lake

Clay / Clinton, Missouri

Smithville Lake is a 7,190-acre Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir just north of Kansas City, mostly in Clay County. It has about 175 miles of shoreline and county parks and marinas along it.

Air temp in Trimble, MO Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Smithville Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area7,190 acres

Max depth—

Shoreline175 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Crappie●●●●●

MDC: focal point; 71% of white crappie over 9 in

Largemouth Bass●●●●●

MDC: 157 bass/hr in 2025; 29% over 15 in; 15-in minimum

White Bass●●●●●

MDC: excellent in 2025; follow the shad

Walleye●●●●○

Improving with stockings; 98% over 15 in

Channel Catfish●●●●○

Strong in upper lake arms, best at night

Flathead Catfish●●●○○

MDC: popular species

Boat launches

6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1Crows Creek ParkPublic
Public rampDirections ↗
2Camp Branch MarinaPublic
Public ramp and marinaDirections ↗
3Little Platte ParkPublic
Public rampDirections ↗
4Sailboat CovePublic
Public ramp, including one for large sailboatsDirections ↗
5Highway WPublic
Public rampDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See MDC or the lake manager's website for all rampsDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Smithville Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Missouri Department of Conservation ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Missouri Department of Conservation before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Camp Branch MarinaNearby
17201 Paradesian, Smithville, MO 64089816-407-3400 Directions ↗
Paradise Pointe MarinaNearby
3008 NE 180th Street, Smithville, MO 64089816-407-3400 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Smithville Lake ↗

Local tips

Cast spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastics around brush piles for bass.
Crappie: small plastic jigs around standing timber and brush.
Catfish: fish at night in upper ends of arms with cut shad or liver.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More Missouri lakes

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.