Hello. I have been in school for the last 4 years and literally have not fished the entire time. Now I am a new nurse, taking boards next week. After that GAME ON! So where are they biten, spawning, and what are the best Bass Fishing spots within a 500 mile radius of central MO? 

 

To begin with, welcome to Bass Resource!  There are a lot of nice, and knowledgeable folks who hang around this place. There is a great spot called Trophy Country that is located near Moberly.  It's a privately owned "resort" that has over a hundred small lakes that resulted from the old strip mining days. You can pretty much be guaranteed to catch at least 50 bass a day, but very few of them go over 3 pounds.  The downside is that it costs a hundred bucks a day to fish there, plus your share of a $50 a day cabin rental.  On the upside, the "resort" supplies the boats and trolling motors.

 

If you are willing to travel, and have access to a boat, my next recommendation would be Lake Pickwick, which is located on the Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi borders.  It offers both great Smallie and Largemouth fishing.  It's my favorite lake.

Tons of fishing within much less driving from central MO. I love those Ozark lakes, Pomme, Stockton, LOZ, Table Rock, Bull, all great lakes for their own special reasons. If you're located more towards the northern part of the state Mozingo is great, Hazel Creek at the other side of the state, Paho has the best density of bass over 4 pounds in the state per acre. Lots of little lakes all over that have good fishing. 

Welcome! I was (and am) actually in a very similar situation with one year left on my BS. Bluebasser said it, there is quite the plethora of good bass fishing locations all over the state, especially in the Ozark region. I am just south of St. Louis and I have been surprised with the spots that i have found within 30 minutes of the city and how helpfull the anglers around have been in pointing me in the right direction since I started bass fishing 3 years ago. Usually when I am out near the middle of the state I am on a fishing trip or family reunion so LOZ, Table Rock, usually the larger and more well known locatins. Lower Taneycomo actually has good bass fishing as well which I accidently found out on my annual trout tournament, which is actually the reason I started to target Bass. Since I do not have a boat a lot of my fishing revolves around finding rivers, streams, and large creeks which have produced very well. Good luck!

 

Give someone a fish and they will eat for a day, teach them how to fish and they will sit in a boat all day and drink beer.

Im west of STL but have family on Truman Lake. I do not enjoy LOZ.

Where is good 30 min of STL? I would love some good places round here. No rivers, cuiver river state park, LSL, or Bush Wildlife though. Like a decent lake around St. Louis if you know of any. Thank you for you your insight. 

I'd check here;

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/41662-st-louis-area-fishermen/

You could drive 100 miles north and fish Hunnewell lake. Bring a battery,  trolling motor , and throw cushion.The MDC  furnishes 14 foot jon boats for free.  No personal boats allowed . 50 fish days are the norm. Most are small but it has a fair number of  large bass. Theres a  12 to 15 slot limit . The eleven inch bass here are delicious and clean . 

 

Avoid Mark Twain lake .  Its my local lake and perhaps the most difficult major reservoirs i've ever fished .

I'm in Saint Louis, a good city park lake in St Louis is Jefferson Lake in Forest Park. Innsbrook and Lake St. Louis have good fishing as well. Also heard there is good fishing in the lakes surrounding the Mills.