A convenient St. Louis County park option for a shorter outing. Check current park access and regulations.
Explore Creve Coeur →Build my fishing trip
Choose your starting area, available time and interests. Recommendations are planning suggestions—not live bite, parking, access or stocking confirmations.
Good places to start
Multiple lakes and opportunities to explore. Choose your specific lake and review its special rules.
Explore Busch →A park-lake option for a casual outing or a family visit. Confirm current facilities before leaving.
Explore Simpson →Scenic river-area destination. River conditions and access can change quickly; check before traveling.
Explore Riverlands →Licenses, rules & safety
Visitors may need a fishing permit depending on age, residency, species and location. A Missouri license does not automatically cover Illinois waters, and individual waters can have special rules.
Missouri fishingMissouri Department of Conservation regulations ↗
Illinois fishingIllinois DNR fishing information ↗
River levelsNOAA river forecasts ↗
Always confirm water access, park hours, posted signs, weather alerts, river levels and current regulations before heading out. Never fish during lightning or enter floodwater.
Visiting with kids?
Start with easy access, simple bobber-and-worm setups and a short session. Our family guide covers what to pack and how to keep a first trip fun.
See the For the Kids guide →No gear? New to fishing?
Our beginner guide and lures and knots guide cover simple starter gear. Check local tackle retailers directly for stock, bait, rentals or guide availability; none are assumed here.
Make a day of it
Pair a fishing trip with a park visit, picnic or nearby attractions. The spot pages can help you choose a destination; confirm travel time, parking, restrooms and accessibility with the park before your visit.
Browse more fishing locations → · Check the latest weekly fishing brief →