9-acre lake
MDC lists Bee Tree Park Lake at 9 acres. That is enough water to justify moving between shoreline sections instead of camping on one spot for the entire trip.
WATER SELECTOR
Choose your water.
Then choose the setup.
Each lake gets its own map position and planning notes. Exact conditions change, so use the guide as a starting point.
Start here
- Walk the bank before changing lures.
- Prioritize shade, vegetation, cover and wind-blown edges.
- Fish early or late during hot weather.
- Keep exact honey holes private; learn repeatable patterns instead.
BEE TREE PARK · VERIFIED LOCAL DETAILS
A nine-acre South County lake with real bass upside.
Official sources checked September 25, 2026
Bee Tree stands apart from the tiny urban trout ponds. MDC lists it at 9 acres and specifically includes black bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish and white bass among the fishing opportunities. The annual prospect report also highlights Bee Tree for spring largemouth bass.
Bass prospect
MDC’s St. Louis prospect guidance identifies Bee Tree as one of the metro waters where spring largemouth bass fishing should be good, with bass up to about 20 inches possible.
Bank fishing only
MDC’s cooperative-area rules prohibit boats on Bee Tree Park Lake. Plan the trip around bank access rather than bringing a kayak or small boat.
Park hours
MDC lists area hours as 8 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset. Arriving near opening or fishing the last legal light can line up with cooler conditions without guessing about access time.
How to make a first Bee Tree trip efficient
- If bass are the target, begin with a moving bait that lets you sample shoreline cover, then slow down with a finesse presentation only after you find a productive stretch.
- If crappie or sunfish are the goal, scale down immediately rather than using the bass setup all day. Small jigs and float rigs are more appropriate starting tools.
- For catfish, pick a legal bank position with room to manage a bottom rig and give the bait time. The lake is not large enough to require constant relocation every few minutes.
Cast STL planning note: These are source-backed trip-planning recommendations, not a claim that Cast STL visited the water or caught fish there on the verification date.
Official sources used for this guide
Rules, stocking details and access can change. Use these links and posted signs as the final authority.
SIMPLE SETUPS
Three ways
to start fishing.
These cover most first-trip situations without turning the guide into a tackle catalog.
BASS
Finesse + moving bait
8–12 lb mono/fluoro or 15–20 lb braid with an 8–12 lb fluorocarbon leader. Start with a finesse worm, small jig or spinnerbait.
PANFISH / TROUT
Light spinning
4–6 lb mono/fluoro. Small jig, float rig, worm or trout presentation when the selected water and season allow it.
CATFISH
Simple bottom rig
12–20 lb main line with an abrasion-resistant leader. Use legal natural/prepared bait and match sinker weight to wind or current.
ACCESS + REGULATIONS
Check before you keep.
- Bee Tree is listed under MDC Community Assistance Program special regulations.
- Current listed limits include special black-bass and flathead-catfish length rules.
- Park access and non-fishing activities are controlled by St. Louis County Parks.
- Check current regulations and posted signs before keeping fish.
OFFICIAL SOURCE
Current rules win.
Cast STL is for trip planning. Missouri Department of Conservation regulations and posted park rules control on site.
Check official information