Table Rock Lake is a massive man-made reservoir created by the construction of the Table Rock Dam on the White River, spanning the border of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, this deep, clear-water lake is a premier destination for anglers. Its diverse underwater topography, featuring steep rock bluffs and submerged timber, creates a complex ecosystem supporting a wide array of fish species. Understanding the inhabitants of this fishery is key to appreciating its ecological significance and its draw for fishing.
The Black Bass Population
Table Rock Lake is recognized for its robust population of black bass, featuring three species that thrive in different sections of the reservoir. The most sought-after species is the Largemouth Bass, which prefers the warmer, more turbid waters found in the upper river arms and the backs of coves. These fish relate closely to heavy cover, such as dense brush, standing timber, and submerged cedar trees, often found in water shallower than eight feet.
The Smallmouth Bass, prized for its fighting ability, dominates the clearer, cooler, and rockier lower end of the lake near the dam. Smallmouths hold to deep, vertical structures like bluff walls, rocky ledges, and extended main lake points, often staging at depths of 15 feet or more. They are less dependent on dense brush than largemouths and prefer limestone and gravel bottoms.
The third species, the Spotted Bass, is arguably the most numerous and often occupies a habitat between the other two, frequently found suspended over deep water. Spotted Bass commonly school in deep channels, humps, and points, especially during winter when they follow schools of Threadfin Shad. They are often found in the river arms and are abundant in the 11 to 14-inch range, contributing significantly to the overall black bass density.
Other Major Game Fish
Table Rock Lake hosts several other game fish, including two varieties of Crappie. Both Black Crappie and White Crappie are present, with the White Crappie being particularly abundant in the James, Kings, and Long Creek arms. These panfish congregate around submerged structure, such as brush piles and artificial habitat, offering excellent fishing opportunities, particularly in the spring and fall.
The lake sustains a healthy population of Catfish, primarily Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish. Channel Catfish are the most common and are found throughout the lake, often preferring the deeper, slower-moving water near tributary mouths. Flathead Catfish represent the lake’s largest potential catch, capable of reaching impressive sizes, and are typically found relating to deep, muddy bottoms or heavy cover in the river sections.
The temperate bass family is represented by the White Bass, known for their schooling nature and aggressive feeding habits in open water. White Bass are often caught near the main lake points and humps, and they make significant spawning runs up into the tributary streams, offering a seasonal opportunity. Hybrid Striped Bass, often called Wipers, are occasionally encountered. This cross between White Bass and Striped Bass provides a hard-fighting challenge and typically resides in the deeper, open-water columns during the warmer months, feeding on schools of baitfish.
Panfish and Forage Species
The smaller species, often grouped as panfish, provide consistent angling action and are a foundational part of the lake’s food web. Bluegill are the most common panfish, inhabiting nearly all shorelines and shallow areas, especially those with submerged structure or cover. These sunfish are often caught by novice anglers and are important prey for larger game fish.
Other sunfish species, such as the Longear Sunfish, are also present, contributing to the diversity of the ecosystem. These smaller species provide a consistent food source for the larger predatory fish throughout the year. The health and growth of the black bass and other game fish are directly tied to the abundance of forage species.
The primary forage base consists of Shad, specifically the Threadfin Shad and the larger Gizzard Shad. Threadfin Shad are important as they form dense, open-water schools that Spotted and Smallmouth Bass actively pursue, especially during the winter. Gizzard Shad are also consumed, but their larger adult size means they are typically preyed upon by the lake’s biggest predators, sustaining the top end of the food chain.