Longview Lake

Largemouth bass numbers continue to improve. During electrofishing surveys in 2023, 50% of bass measured 15 inches or greater. Anglers should concentrate on the edges of vegetation in the cooler months and deeper woody cover during the summer for best results. The shallower the fish, the faster and more aggressive the lure type you should use. Spinner baits, topwater and shallow running crankbaits can be fished quickly and induce aggressive strikes in the spring. Channel catfish numbers remain high, with an average size just over a pound, but fish over 20 inches are available as well.  Nightcrawlers and prepared bait fished on shallow flats works well for channel cats. The high densities of channel catfish will provide plenty of good summer fishing. Anglers are encouraged to harvest their daily limit of 10 channel catfish.

During spring electrofishing surveys in 2023, 75% of walleye measured over 15 inches in length. The best time and place for anglers to catch these fish is in late March and April along the dam and the rocky east side of the lake when the fish move in to spawn. Walleye will feed heavily on the flats prior to spawning in late March and can be found on these same shallow points during windy, overcast summer days. Walleye can also be caught by trolling crankbaits and bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses during the summer months over underwater humps and along main lake points. Flats near a channel can be especially productive. Ripple shads and spinnerbaits near weed lines, as well as jigging along the edge of deep timber can be effective in the summer. 

Crappie fishing may be more difficult in 2022. Sampling data revealed fewer quality size crappie than normal, and most crappie are 8-10 inches. Nice crappie are still available though. Anglers should concentrate fishing efforts near rock banks and banks with fallen logs when the crappie are spawning in the spring. During summer and fall, anglers should fish around standing timber next to creek channels or submerged brush piles. Brush pile locations are available online in our interactive map and through our free MO Fishing app.

Common carp, while an undesirable component of the fishery, can provide abundant fishing opportunities at Longview Lake. Try 'chumming' the water with a can of corn and use small single hooks with small chunks of dough bait in the backs of coves and shallow areas starting in the late May. Fly fisherman can enjoy carp fishing when they are in the shallows from May through late summer. White bass are abundant and can often be caught by fishing windblown banks or points in summer and early fall. Try fishing with jigs, spoons, or any bait that imitates shad for best results. Trolling can be a good way to locate white bass, but schooling fish on windy points can be seen feeding on shad at the surface. When surface feeding white bass will take almost any lure, but a 3" swim shad is always a good choice. Flathead catfish are growing very well in Longview Lake. Sampling has shown natural reproduction is occurring with all sizes of fish found including some over 50 pounds. Flathead catfish prefer live baits and are found in rocky areas or areas with lots of brush. Fishing is limited to rod and reel only at Longview Lake.