What's Simpson? Is that a park in Fenton?

What's Simpson? Is that a park in Fenton?

I believe it's in Valley Park... here's a link with some info:

http://www.stlouisco.com/parks/simpson.html

If you're fishing simpson be prepared,  the ramp is very shallow.  There is no courtesy dock and the water around the ramp is very shallow as well.  It's difficult to find a place to tie off to after launching and get into the boat without grounding on rocks.

The lake is a pair of old quarries.  The banks in most places drop off steeply.  I've had my best success fishing any flats type areas.  There is an 18" size limit.  I've regularly caught fish there from 2-4 pounds but I haven't really fished that lake since the flood inundated it last March.  I have no idea if that effected the fishing there or not.

Cart, I don't own a boat, so I'm limited to bank fishing. Can you suggest any parts of Simpson which are better than others for fishing from the bank? Also, how is the population at Simpson for bluegill, sunfish, etc?

Thanks,

Tom

Cart, I don't own a boat, so I'm limited to bank fishing. Can you suggest any parts of Simpson which are better than others for fishing from the bank? Also, how is the population at Simpson for bluegill, sunfish, etc?

Thanks,

Tom

Bank fishing at Simpson is very limited.  The vast majority of the banks are too overgrown and steep to even begin to fish them.  The best options are at the boat ramp on the west side of the lake.  Go to the left side of the ramp, there is some flatter land there that is accessible and actually has some good bass fishing.  Go to the right and the bank is probably too steep though the area 50 yds in that direction from the ramp is also good.  You last options are in Simpson park itself.  You can fish from the outflow spillway all the way to the fishing dock and a little past that.  Standing on the fishing dock, there is a bank to the left that's got lots of broken off stumps on it all the way out to a point.  If you can get to it, that bank is another good spot.

Can't help you on the bluegills but I imagine around the fishing dock would be good.

Cart, I don't own a boat, so I'm limited to bank fishing. Can you suggest any parts of Simpson which are better than others for fishing from the bank? Also, how is the population at Simpson for bluegill, sunfish, etc?

Thanks,

Tom

Hey Tom, check out Unger if you dont have a boat. Its behind Busch Soccer Park on Yarnell. I was there today (afternoon) and there is ample beach for casting. Of course I didnt get a bite and I lost a $9 Terminator, but it was good to see that there is a local,  quick option for me other than Tilles.

Caught this beauty 20 minutes from Stl on a crank bait. She weighed 7.4

Hey Needemp, great fish... and definitely a pig!

Goggle Eyes, I took your advice and checked out Unger this afternoon with my 8-yr old son, my brother-in-law and his son. We fished for about 2 hours in a very light off and on drizzle. We caught a few bluegill, a couple decent sized crappie and a couple 6" bass.

However the best came from my son. He had moved about 50 yards down the bank and I hear him start to yell "Dad, I've got one!". Well, he hooked into a nice bass throwing a Husky Jerk on an ultralight rod. He was so excited, and I was even more excited for him! The bass was about 13"-14" and maybe 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. My brother in law took a couple pics on his cell phone, so I'll post one once he figures out how to download it. BTW, I think my son was just as excited to be the one to let the fish go, too!!

Thanks for the tip on Unger, we'll be back.

Tom

Where were you guys fishing at Unger? Glad you had a good time, its the best when the kids do well.

Where were you guys fishing at Unger? Glad you had a good time, its the best when the kids do well.

We parked in the lot nearest to the lake (not the one near the pavilion) and took one of the trails right near where we parked. We bank fished very close to where the trails lead to the lake, there are quite a few small trees and stick-ups coming up out of the water from the bank out maybe 30 feet. Lost several lures to those buggers, but all worth it to see my son catch that fish!

Caught this beauty 20 minutes from Stl on a crank bait. She weighed 7.4

Nice Hawg!  

Where were you guys fishing at Unger? Glad you had a good time, its the best when the kids do well.

We parked in the lot nearest to the lake (not the one near the pavilion) and took one of the trails right near where we parked. We bank fished very close to where the trails lead to the lake, there are quite a few small trees and stick-ups coming up out of the water from the bank out maybe 30 feet. Lost several lures to those buggers, but all worth it to see my son catch that fish!

We did the same tonight. We walked up the bank and stopped where the bank turns,  there are a couple of tree trunks cut for seats sitting there. My son caught a 14"er on a Mepps. Darn if I couldnt get a bite! Of course I was throwing big lures, spinners, Bagley,  Wiggle Wart high risk, high reward. The bass was cold and its' color was real muted, so it appears they havent moved up much at least there.

Good times tho.

Hey Goggle eyes, was the water real muddy? I have never been to Unger, but I assume there is no boat ramp?

That's great Goggle Eyes, glad your son pulled one in... maybe it was the one my son caught?  LOL  By the way, funny you should mention he used a Mepps.  I got hung up and lost one on my very first cast of the day Saturday... not a good way to start off.

Needemp, the water was pretty stained, but I wouldn't say muddy... of course, that was before we had all that rain Sunday.  I don't recall seeing a boat ramp anywhere.  There was a guy cruising the lake in a float tube, though, it's a good size lake for that.