Annual Prospects Report
Largemouth bass fishing should be great in 2024 based on recent surveys. There should be good numbers of bass in the 10-11-inch range available to anglers. A number of bass in the 12-15-inch protected slot length range providing some excellent catch and release fishing. Bass over 18 inches (3 lbs. or larger) are common, including a few around 22-24 inches (6 lbs.). Anglers can help improve the density of larger bass by practicing catch-and-release fishing for those bass greater than 15 inches. The rock jetties on the east and west side of the lake, including a disabled-accessible paved jetty, as well as the numerous sunken brush piles around the shoreline of the lake (mostly in the southern half of the lake) usually provide the best fishing. Fishing around structures like creek channel drop-offs and fallen trees are also very productive. Fishing just past the vegetation (water willow) off the rock jetties in the springtime should be productive. Bluegill fishing will be fair this year. There are many bluegill in the lake, but most fish will average 5-8 inches. Most of the crappie in the lake are small (7-9 inches), with an occasional 12-14 inch crappie found. Each October, MDC stocks around 2,000 channel catfish and around 500 blue catfish into the lake. While the lake does get a lot of catfish harvest from anglers, with the steady stocking the population is steady and should continue to be over the next few years. We continue to receive reports of 30+ pound blue catfish caught by anglers. Most of the 18-22-inch catfish caught by anglers last year were taken during the spring and early summer months, though large blue catfish were caught all summer. Fishing off the jetties and dam, around cover, and near creek channels is the most productive. Good catfish baits include worms, liver, shrimp, cut shad, prepared baits, and live sunfish. Anglers are encouraged to identify their catch and report blue catfish catch to the Columbia MDC office (573-815-7901 ext. 2874).
Redear sunfish fishing should be good, according to surveys conducted in Spring 2023. As in previous years, anglers will have the opportunity to catch large numbers of 8-11-inch redear. Chances of catching a 10-inch redear sunfish (Master Angler Award size) are good. Try fishing near woody cover and tree stumps in shallow water, especially in May and early June during spawning. Worms and crickets fished on or near the bottom work well. There is also an overabundance of common carp in Little Dixie Lake. Common carp not only compete with more desirable game species but decrease water quality as well. Anglers can assist with the eradication of common carp by not returning them to the water alive. Little Dixie Lake is also home to a few large lake sturgeon. Lake sturgeon are an endangered species and are protected by law. Any angler catching a lake sturgeon must release it unharmed, immediately after being caught. Check Missouri's Fishing Regulation summary booklet on how to identify sturgeon. When in doubt about the identity or legal length of any fish, play it safe and return the fish to the water unharmed immediately.
On I-70 ten miles west of Kingdom City, take the Route J exit and go south to Route RA. The main Little Dixie Lake CA parking area is off Route RA near the junction with Route J in Millersburg. An additional parking lot, including disabled access, can be reached by traveling west on RA, which turns into County Road 228.Turn north onto County Road 226. Follow the signs to Little Dixie Lake.
