Your one-stop website for fly fishing the White River, the Norfork Tailwater, and Lake Taneycomo
History & Information on Lake Taneycomo, (co - County) (mo - Missouri) Tailwater
“The history of Table Rock Dam and Lake Taneycomo is extremely interesting and provides insight into how this world-class White River brown and rainbow trout fishery came into existence. Before the dam created Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo, this section of the White River was warm and smallmouth bass were the predominant sport fish. Now, a highly productive trout river has emerged where Ozark fly fishermen enjoy sight casting and wade fishing for the prolific numbers of rainbows and the big brown trout.”
Looking down at the Hatchery
Table Rock Dam went “on-line” in the mid 1950’s, and it was the fourth of a series of flood/hydro dams in the White River Basin. Because of unique climatic variables, the releases from these dams are cold and nutrient-rich. Trout grow at an astounding rate as a feeding frenzy occurs 12 months a year. “Lake Taneycomo” is unique in the fact that a smaller dam (Powersite) 22 miles down from Table Rock Dam makes this tailwater technically a lake. Powersite was built in the 1920's (creating Lake Taneycomo), and at the time created the largest impoundment in the United States. The best fly fishing is the initial 3 miles from Table Rock Dam because the wading is easiest and special regulations encourage catch and release. In March of 1997 bait was made illegal in this section and a slot-limit on rainbow trout was implemented. Brown trout regulations that limit harvest (one fish, 20-inch min. lake wide) have worked very well, and browns over 20 pounds are definitely not unheard of. As a result of all this, numbers of rainbow trout over 13-inches increased by 20% in the first five months of the “slot”. Needless to say, Taneycomo’s trophy area offers prolific numbers of fish. Water conditions are dictated by releases at Table Rock Dam, and the best wading is when the plant is not generating electricity. The water is only around 50 cfs during these times, so most water is slow and calm. These are dream conditions for wading and it must be seen to be believed. The dam has four 55 mw generators that when put into use change conditions drastically. During moderate to heavy releases the best fishing is done by boat, and the use of a motor can keep you in the hot areas. Peak discharge is near 15,000 cfs, so if you hear a loud horn, retreat to your access point because the water can rise quickly.
There are numerous public access areas for wading during low water, but a boat in these conditions can get you away from the crowded areas and into more active fish. Weekdays are significantly less crowded due to the proximity to the glitz of Branson. The Ozark’s trout tailwaters are a year-round fishery that offers anglers of any skill level the opportunity to catch the most and/or biggest fish of their lives. Please keep in mind that this section is a general overview and should not be taken as “set in stone”. Many factors can play a role in both water releases and quality of fishing, so it's recommended that you contact Flysandguides for your next trip. I'm always more than willing to answer your questions with honesty, so feel free to drop an e-mail or to call me any time. Such occurrences as unexpected heavy rains, cold fronts, and bizarre water releases are just a few things that can really alter the fishing.
Learn the "breakdown" on how to wade and fish this great tailwater.
Shepherd of The Hills Hatchery
Located approximately 6 miles southwest of Branson on 165, Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is the largest trout production facility in the State of Missouri Department of Conservation trout production program. Since trout cannot naturally reproduce in our river because of the fluctuating water levels, the hatchery keeps the river full of fish. The hatchery typically produces 1,125,000 catchable trout annually, weighing more than 400,000 pounds every year, and they may exceed that number in the future since Branson tourism is growing every year.
Lake Taneycomo receives 700,000 catchable trout per year (with 225,000 of these coming from Neosho National Fish Hatchery in Southwest Missouri and the rest coming from Shepherd of the Hills). The remainder of the trout produced at Shepherd of the Hills are stocked at other Missouri Trout Management areas. The primary role for this facility is the production of rainbow and brown trout to meet the Conservation Departments management requirements. This facility also plays an important role in supplying eggs and fingerlings for grow-out at other Conservation Department trout production facilities. I have seen a large number of fly fishers who come to Branson each year to discover what so many others have already found: abundance of fish!! And because of the exponential growth of this area, I'm sure the studies will reflect increased demand and more trout will have to be stocked if the regulations stay the same. I have heard that when a trout is released his survival rate is less than 20 percent. Most are caught and taken out of Taneycomo within the first 30 days.
The Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery complex occupies 211 acres of land with 84 acres being currently developed. The developed acres occupied by the hatchery include a Conservation Center that receives 300,000 plus visitors annually and provides a great amount of information to the public on the fisheries and the history of trout. Also included in the developed area is a hatchery building with various support buildings. The water supply to Shepherd of the Hills is obtained primarily from Table Rock Lake by way of gravity flow and is augmented by two wells and a raceway-adductor-driven, partial recirculation system. This facility completes all levels of trout production phases. Egg incubation and early rearing is completed in the hatchery building in jar type incubation units, and aluminum/fiberglass tanks. Twelve outdoor concrete raceways are used for intermediate rearing, and final rearing is completed in twenty outdoor concrete raceways and more to come with raising more brown trout in the future.
The "NEW" Brown Trout Hatchery
New Brown Study
The new Missouri Department of Conservation Brown Trout Study that was conducted last year proves they can actually raise browns successfully in captivity. Last year the hatchery conducted a study and built two concrete holding tanks in the back area at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery and stocked browns to see what would happen. Come to find out it works. So now they built new holding tanks to raise browns to stock throughout the state of Missouri. I'm looking forward to seeing what this will do to better our fishery and the other trout streams in our area.
