Welcome to Index Branson Fishing

Our goal at Index Branson Fishing is to provide you the most enjoyable and entertaining vacation possible.

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Lilley's Landing offers jon boats, bass boats and pontoons to the public as well as to our in-house guests. We offer 24 family housing units, featuring one to four bedrooms, with a range of prices. The heated fish cleaning areas, landscaped grounds and outdoor amenities allow year-round enjoyment of the Ozarks outdoors since rainbow and brown trout fishing is grand even in the winter time.

Greg Blair, left, of Bradleyville, shows off a 56.35-pound striped bass he caught Sunday morning, which set a new Missouri record. Derek Blair, shows off a 35.9-pound striped bass he caught the same day while fishing with Greg Blair.

Blair caught the biggest striped bass he’d ever caught. It took him about 45 minutes to reel in Missouri’s new record holder, a 56.35 pound striped bass.

“I wondered if my arms were going to hold up,” he said. “He was more or less pulling the boat around.”

Blair recalled it took about 15 minutes after getting the fish on his line before he got his first glimpse of it.

When the fish finally tired out and Blair was able to get it on board, the two men wet towels to cover the fish. There was no fitting it in the live well.

The cousins weren’t done fishing yet though and at about 7:15 a.m. Derek Blair reeled in another big one. Although it was no record breaker, the fish weighed in at 35.90 pounds.

The largest striped bass Blair had ever caught before Sunday morning was about 15 pounds

Dewey Short Visitors Center

Visitors Center

Dewey Short Visitors Center

The US Army Corps of Engineer’s Dewey Short Visitor Center is located 6 miles west of US Hwy 65 on State Hwy 165 at the south end of Table Rock Dam. The Center is open seven days per week 9 AM until 5 PM from April 1st to October 31st.

The center features three films. The first is a 20 minute film entitled, "Taming of the Riviera Blanche". This film is a fantastic introduction to the Table Rock Lake/White River area and details the construction and purpose of Table Rock Dam. The second is a 14 minute film, "Where Eagles Soar" which depicts the story of how eagles were brought back from endangerment in the state of Missouri. The third film, "The Expedition of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806," runs 32 minutes. The film tells of their exploration, encounters, objectives and accomplishments during their journey. The Visitor Center contains exhibits detailing the natural history of the area.

If you arrive by boat, take advantage of the courtesy dock that is located on the Visitors Center grounds. On the grounds, you may enjoy the day by picnicking, swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving or fishing along the shoreline. Don't forget to make use of the beautiful Table Rock Lakeshore Trail, which is located directly adjacent to the Visitors Center.

Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery

Located approximately 6 miles to the southwest of Branson, Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is the largest trout production facility in the Missouri Department of Conservation trout production program. Construction of Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery began in 1957 and the first trout were produced in 1958. The hatchery typically produces 1,125,000 catchable trout annually, weighing 301,000 pounds. Lake Taneycomo receives 700,000 catchable trout per year with 225,000 of these coming from Neosho National Fish Hatchery in Southwest Missouri. The remainder of the trout produced is stocked within other Missouri trout management areas. The primary role for this facility is the production of rainbow and brown trout to meet the Conservation Departments management requirements. This facility also plays an important role in supplying eggs and fingerlings for grow-out at other Conservation Department trout production facilities.

The Shepherd of the Hills hatchery complex occupies 211 acres of land with 84 acres being currently developed. The developed acres occupied by the hatchery include a Conservation Center that receives 250,000 visitors annually and provides a vast amount of information to the public with a focus on fisheries. Also included in the developed area is a hatchery building with various support buildings. The water supply to Shepherd of the Hills is obtained primarily from Table Rock Lake via gravity flow and is augmented by two wells and a raceway eductor driven, partial recirculation system.

This facility completes all trout production phases. Egg incubation and early rearing is completed in the hatchery building in jar type incubation units, and aluminum/fiberglass tanks. Twelve, outdoor concrete raceways are used for intermediate rearing, and final rearing is completed in twenty outdoor concrete raceways. Three earthen ponds are also used for fish production. Spawning and broodstock holding operations are accomplished in four separate raceways. Effluents generated from the rearing units are discharged into upper Lake Taneycomo through four permitted outfalls.

The close proximity of the hatchery to Branson Missouri attracts over 250,000 visitors to the site annually. The high visitor traffic and the large amount of trout production make this facility a very visible portion of the Missouri Department of Conservation trout production program.

Branson Landing

Discover uncharted waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment adventures at Branson Landing, located on the waterfront of beautiful Lake Taneycomo in downtown Branson.

At Branson Landing, you will have a whole new world to explore, with Belk Department Store, Bass Pro Shops and over 100 specialty stores and restaurants, PLUS... the NEW Hilton Promenade!

Don't miss the magnificent $7.5 million water fountain spectacular, synchronized to light, sound, music and fire!

Branson Landing features a scenic boardwalk along the 1.5-mile Taneycomo Lakefront. At the heart of the Landing is a vibrant town square terracing down to the $7.5 million spectacular water attraction that features the first-ever merging of water, fire, light and music. You will be amazed by the dazzling interplay of water Fountains shooting 120-foot geysers and fire cannons blasting, all choreographed to light and music.

The water and fire spectacle is a creation of internationally renowned Wet Design, the producers of world-class shows for Downtown Disney marketplace in Orlando, Universal City Walk in California and the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Enjoy spectacular performances of the Branson Landing Fountains starting at Noon daily.

Table Rock Lake

The Table Rock Dam was finished in 1958 making Table Rock Lake a 52,300 acre lake nationally known for bass and other types of fishing. Here, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner cruises as well as other riverboat and recreational activities.

Accessible from multiple public and privately owned locations just minutes to the west of Branson, Table Rock Lake has been delighting visitors and residents alike since it was formed by the damming of the White River in 1958. While visitors can find dozens of places to stay and play along the banks of Table Rock Lake, the area's commercial developments have placed a high priority on preserving the scenic beauty of the natural shoreline, bluffs, forests and wildlife that inhabit the shoreline.

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Quick Facts

43,000 to 52,300 (approx.) acres of surface area depending on the water level

750+ miles of shoreline

Table Rock Dam and Powerhouse was completed in 1959

The dam is 6,423 feet long and 252 feet high.

Fishing Table Rock Lake
Table Rock is nationally recognized as a top bass fishing lake. Large numbers of largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky spotted bass and white bass thrive in its diverse underwater structure and immense forage base. Bass, crappie and large bluegill are caught in abundance. Catfish of all sizes also roam the lake bottom. Many area resorts and marinas can hook you up with an experienced fishing guide to help make the most of your Table Rock Lake fishing experience. If you enjoy tournament fishing, there are hundreds of regional and local tournaments held on Table Rock Lake each year including a major B.A.S.S. tournament.

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Lake Taneycomo

When the Table Rock Dam was completed, it changed Lake Taneycomo into a cold water fishery, making it an ideal place for trout fishing.

Accessible from historic downtown Branson and at multiple points east including the communities of Rockaway Beach, Forsyth and Powersite and south of Hwy. 76 in Hollister and the Fall Creek area, Lake Taneycomo was formed with the completion of Powersite Dam in 1913. It was originally a section of the White River, and although Taneycomo is now technically a lake, it retains the look and feel of a river. When the Table Rock Dam was completed at Taneycomo's headwaters in 1958, the nature of the lake changed. Taneycomo's water now comes from the bottom of Table Rock Lake, making it a cold water lake. The cold, clear water, stocked annually with approximately 750,000 10-12" rainbow trout, makes Taneycomo a world-class trout fishing lake.

Resorts, campgrounds & RV parks and full-service marinas and outfitters offer canoeing, kayaking, fishing boats, motors, guides, tackle, and pontoons for relaxing and fun-filled lake activities.

Quick Facts

2,000+ (approx.) acres of surface area depending on the water level

40+ miles of shoreline

58 degrees - average water temperature

750,000 + rainbow and brown trout stocked annually

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Fishing Lake Taneycomo

"Lake Taneycomo is one of the best, if not the very best, of all trout streams in the U.S." - Harold D. Eastman in "Trout Fishing on Lake Taneycomo," 1987

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The uppermost portion of the lake is reserved for artificial lures only such as tiny jigs and crankbaits. These headwaters are also ideal for fly fishing with flies that imitate the freshwater shrimp and other natural bait that the trout feed upon.

The locals say that the best way to catch trout is by drifting salmon eggs or angleworms. Affix the eggs or worms to a small hook and cast into holes with an ultra light rod and reel. This method used from a drifting boat or from a dock will yield a nice stringer of trout.

Lower Lake Taneycomo harbors a well-kept secret. The downstream area closer to Forsyth offers considerably warmer water and many other species of fish, making Taneycomo a versatile and challenging destination for anglers who are aware of its changing character from one end to the other.

Many area resorts and marinas can hook you up with an experienced fishing guide to help make the most of your Lake Taneycomo fishing experience.

Branson Landing - Beginning in 2006, the Taneycomo lakefront in historic downtown Branson will be transformed to offer guests an opportunity to experience the beauty and amenities of Lake Taneycomo as they never have before. Lake activities will include lake excursions, boat rentals, water taxis, guide services and public fishing docks all along a 1-mile lighted boardwalk.

Bull Shoals Lake

A wide variety of fish can be found in Bull Shoals Lake and it is a popular one for tournament fishing. This lake has a more rough, undeveloped shoreline and provides public access points for various water activities and houseboat rentals.

Bull Shoals begins where Taneycomo ends and flows eastwardly from Forsyth into Arkansas. Bull Shoals Dam, the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States, is located approximately 7 miles north of Cotter, Arkansas. The lake's shoreline has gone relatively undeveloped and features steep bluffs and rock ledges. The lake has many areas within 20 feet of the shoreline measuring 50 feet deep or more. Its crystal clear water makes the lake an ideal spot for scuba divers and swimmers. Light tackle and light line are the best choice for anglers. Bull Shoals also offers a variety of public access points and a selection of quaint fishing lodges that offer privacy and a chance to explore Ozark Mountain scenery at its finest.

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Quick Facts

45,440 to 71,240 (approx.) acres of surface area depending on the water level

740+ miles of shoreline

Bull Shoals Dam was created in 1951

The dam is 2,256 feet long and 256 feet high

Fishing Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals Lake is popular for its white, large mouth and spotted bass. It is a popular tournament lake and has a reputation for producing lunker fish of several varieties, including stripers that weigh in at more than 50 pounds. Record catches on this lake include a 5-pound, 5-ounce white bass, a 13-pound 14-ounce largemouth bass and a 21-pound, 1-ounce walleye. Crappie, bream and catfish of all sizes can be found in Bull Shoals.

Fishing Guide Services

As featured in the April 2008 issue of National Geographic magazine featuring Harrison Ford on the front cover.

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Taneycomo Nights is a nighttime guide service ran and operated by Leonard Keeney. Leonard was born and raised in Branson Missouri. He began fly fishing when he was 15 years old and has been fishing Lake Taneycomo for over 25 years.

Here at Taneycomo Nights Leonard will offer some of the best nighttime fly-fishing or spin cast fishing on a trout lake.

Leonard has the only full time -night time guide service on Lake Taneycomo. He does not guide during the day.

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Full Service Fly Shop Archery Pro-Shop and Indoor Range Guide Service

We offer an incredible waded fly-fishing trip starting at $60 for 2 hours. We can provide all necessary equipment at no extra charge. Here at our shop we embrace beginners wanting to learn the art of fly-fishing. You do not need any fly-fishing knowledge to take a trip with us.

We have some of the region’s best teachers at our disposal. Our patient and professional staff will help you do what it takes to teach you the necessary skills as well as catch fish. For some of the more experienced fly fishers our guides have unparalleled knowledge on hooking some of Taneycomo’s larger trout.

Since the water temperature is around 45 F degrees you may want to bring warm pants, socks and possibly rain gear. The bottom is made up of gravel with scattered large rocks. Which makes wading quite easy. You can expect to catch 14″ – 18″ fish on average. The prime time for trophy fish is in the fall during the spawning runs. During this time 20″ plus fish are common place. The fishing on Lake Taneycomo is some of the best in the country. You can expect to see some beautiful scenery along with catching some of our local trout.

We are now also offering Coast Guard Certified Fly Fishing guide service out of a 19′ G3 boat with large casting decks and lot of room to move around.

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