ST. LOUIS CITY · TWO-LAKE GUIDE

Willmore Park.
Pick the water first.

North and South lakes are compact urban-program waters where simple catfish, sunfish and bass presentations make more sense than hauling a huge tackle box.

Open the guide

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.

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.

  • North and South lakes are listed in the St. Louis Urban Fishing Program.
  • Current urban-program black bass, catfish, crappie and combined-species limits apply.
  • These are city park waters; obey posted park access and closure information.
  • Verify current MDC regulations 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