Driving directions: Take Highway 50 west from Jefferson City to the Apache Flats/St. Martin's exit, continue west on Bus. 50, turn right (north) at South Binder Lake Rd., left (west) on Rainbow Dr., and right (north) on Binder Lake Rd. This portion of Binder Lake Road winds along the west side of the lake, where you will find the boat ramp, docks, and jetties. Binder Lake (150 acres) is situated on Dickerson Creek in the Ozark border region on 710 acres of Jefferson City parkland. The park (managed by Jefferson City Parks and Recreation; 573-634-6482) contains numerous amenities including an RV campground, pavilions with picnic tables and barbecue grills, hiking trails, and public restrooms. The restrooms are open approximately April to November. The lake (managed by the Department of Conservation) has a concrete boat ramp, a disabled-accessible fishing dock and jetty, and two courtesy docks to assist boaters.
Annual Prospects Report
Binder Lake (150 acres) is situated on Dickerson Creek in the Ozark border region of Missouri on 710 acres of Jefferson City parkland. The park (managed by Jefferson City Parks and Recreation; 573-634-6482) contains numerous amenities including an RV campground, pavilions with picnic tables and barbecue grills, hiking trails, and public restrooms. The restrooms are open approximately April to November. The lake (managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation) has a concrete boat ramp, a disabled-accessible fishing dock and jetty, and two courtesy docks to assist boaters. Largemouth bass fishing should be much better in 2024. Electrofishing samples in 2023 sampled more bass over 15" than in previous years. Fish survey showed 21% of all bass sampled were over 15" and 6% were over 20". Bluegill fishing will be about the same in 2024 as in 2023. Most bluegill sampled were between 4-7". In the fall of 2023, the Missouri Department of Conservation stocked 4,000 additional channel catfish. The fish were 8-12" when stocked, so in 1-2 years these fish will make nice fillets. Spring of 2023 electrofishing sampling showed redear sunfish are numerous in the 7-8" range with a few over 9". Crappie were sampled in fall of 2021, and both white and black crappie are found in Binder Lake. White crappie average size was 8.7", the longest at 14.6". Black crappie average size was 7.9", with the longest at 13.5". There were more black crappie sampled than white crappie. In 2024, there should be a good number of black and white crappie over 9" available to anglers.
Take Highway 50 west from Jefferson City, MO, to the Apache Flats/St. Martin's exit, continue west on Business 50 for 1.2 miles. Turn right (north) on South Binder Lake Road. Go 0.3 miles and then turn left (west) on Rainbow Drive. Go 0.2 miles, crossing over the upper end of Binder Lake, and then turn right on Binder Park Road. Binder Park Road winds along the west side of the lake where there are docks, a boat ramp, and jetties.
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