Lake Jacomo

Lake Jacomo continues to produce excellent largemouth bass and is one of the best bass lakes in the Kansas City area. Largemouth bass can be found along the outer edge of water willow and vegetation edges all spring and summer. Beaver lodges and logs are also great spots year-round. When water temperatures are in the 70's chatterbaits, topwater and spinner baits can yield rod shaking strikes. As water temperatures warm in the summer, fishing deeper with slow moving baits can be very effective. Channel catfish are common with good numbers over 15 inches in length and many in the 10 to 15-pound range. Channel catfish are maintained through annual stockings and the population is robust with quality fish available. Channel catfish are readily caught on a variety of baits from shore or boat. They will concentrate in the backs of coves when water is flowing into the lake after a good rain. The portion of the lake near the south marina, especially the old swim beach, and the west bank between the north marina and the dam are excellent choices for channel catfish. The lake also supports a good number of flathead catfish with many of these fish exceeding 20 pounds. Fish for flatheads using live bait and concentrate near deep, rocky structure and creek channels in the late spring and early summer. Beaver lodges and large lay down trees also will hold a big flathead from time to time.

The black and white crappie populations have been fairly consistent in recent years, and should still be good in 2023. Anglers should continue to have good success off the north marina boat dock and the three disabled-accessible docks over deep water during the fall and winter. Brush piles have been placed in the lake as well to give boat anglers good targets for crappie most of the year. Lake Jacomo is stocked annually with walleye. Fishing after dark along the spillway in late March and early April can be productive. Crankbaits that make some noise are most effective as the spawning fish are most often caught on reactive strikes, not feeding strikes. During summer and early fall, fish the flats and points. The rocky bluffs along Liggett Cove and the shallow water on the south side of Sailboat Cove have also produced some nice walleye.

The white bass fishery in Lake Jacomo is good and underutilized. White bass from 12 to 15 inches are fairly common and are often caught while fishing for crappie or walleye. A unique feature of the white bass fishery in Jacomo is how the white bass concentrate along the dam in mid-April and should strike crankbaits or topwater lures at this time. White bass can be difficult to locate in Jacomo in the summer and fall. Schooling white bass can sometimes be seen on windy points. Anglers often locate white bass by trolling shad-colored crank baits. Once located, casting to the school can provide fast action. Bluegill were once Lake Jacomo's claim to fame and we have seen improvement the last few years. Bluegill over 8 inches in length were reported recently. Popping bugs with a fly rod or an ultralight rod with crickets can provide some exciting action on a summer's evening. The clear water can make it difficult to fish bluegill with an ultralight in shallow spawning areas. A fly rod with a small nymph can be very effective. Concentrate on shallow areas in the backs of coves in May to find nesting fish. Beaver lodges can be a great place to find bluegill all year-round. Brush pile locations and their depths are available on our interactive map online or the free MO Fishing app.

Zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Jacomo in 2017 and Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly-leaf Pondweed has become established in the last couple years as well. Please make sure you clean, drain and dry your boat and trailer before taking it to another lake.