Bushwhacker Lake attracts local outdoorsmen

"It used to be a secret," said Toby Williams, Joplin, when he was talking about Bushwhacker Lake in Vernon and Barton Counties. "I discovered the good fishing lake five years ago and have been hitting it any time I can.

"In those five years, I have never come home empty-handed. Sometimes, I catch bass. Other times I get crappie, bluegill, red-eared sunfish or channel catfish."

The 4,790-acre Bushwhacker Wildlife Area holds many recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, bird watching, horseback riding, hiking, wildlife viewing and bicycling. Primitive camping is allowed in designated camping areas.

At present, fishing is the main attraction on the 157-acre lake, as witnessed by John Ferris, Carl Junction, Jay Ferris, Webb City, and Brian Wilson, Duenweg.

John Ferris said, "I have been coming here ever since it opened back in July 1985. Everyone was catching fish, but the next day, no one caught fish.

"Back then, there was a lot more standing timber. It's a good fishing lake. If you want to catch a mess of fish, this is the place to be.

"It's full of bass, channel catfish, crappie and it's stocked with hybrid perch, plus there are also red-eared sunfish. In the fall, by using a small crankbait, working it along the edges, you will catch bass, crappie catfish and hybrid perch. You could fill an ice chest if you wanted."

There were no crappie in the lake when it opened, but today, there are plenty of both white and black crappie with a daily limit of 30 fish and there is no size limit. Bass are abundant, but there is a slot limit.

Bass between 12 and 15 inches must be returned to the lake immediately after being caught. The daily limit on catfish is four in the aggregate.

Kent Thomas, a former Vernon County resident who now lives in St. Louis, still makes at least one trip each year to fish the lakes at the Bushwacker area.

He said, "I was spoiled by fishing the big lake where I caught lots of fish every time out. I know before I go that I will at least catch a mess of crappie."

Ferris said, "Not only is the fishing good, I have hunted ducks on this lake many times and found the hunting excellent. There are a lot of wild turkeys in the area, and a lot of deer. We were fishing and had a doe come down close for a drink. Quail were sounding off that added to the picture."

Jim Schultz, wildlife biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said, "The hunting on the Bushwhacker area can be good. There are quail, rabbits, deer, turkey and waterfowl on the area.

"Years ago, there were thousands of prairie chickens, but today, there may only be a few transients around. We have 22 plots for hunters and the hunting pressure ranges from light to heavy, depending on weather and population of game."

For hikers, there is a 6.5-mile mowed trail. Horseback riding is allowed on roads open to vehicles and on designated horse trails or by special permit. Horseback riding is permitted only from May 15 to Sept. 15.

The Bushwhacker Lake Conservation Area is located 2 1/2 miles south of Bronaugh and one mile east on Zodiac Road. For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation office in El Dorado Springs, at 417-876-5226.