The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Mark Twain Lake
Monroe County, Missouri · 18,600 acres (29.1 sq mi)
59°F water, calm this morning.
About Mark Twain Lake
Mark Twain Lake spreads over 18,600 acres in Monroe County, Missouri. Clarence Cannon Dam holds it back on the Salt River. Mark Twain Lake was created by damming the Salt River and is named after the Missouri-born author Mark Twain.
From end to end it runs about 13.6 miles with roughly 135 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 600 ft above sea level. It reaches about 85 ft at its deepest, with an average depth near 29 ft. The nearest town, Monroe City, is about 5.6 miles north. The closest city is Columbia, about 42 miles away.
- Size
- 18,600 acres (29.1 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 85 ft (average 29 ft)
- Shoreline
- About 135 miles
- End to end
- About 13.6 miles
- Elevation
- About 600 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Clarence Cannon Dam, Salt River
- County
- Monroe County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise
- 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 9 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 2 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Mark Twain Lake
The fish here: catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, walleye and bluegill and sunfish. With the surface at 59°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- GoodWalleye
Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:49 am · sunset 4:53 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Mark Twain Lake
- Monroe Cityabout 5.6 mi north
- Parisabout 5.7 mi west
- Shelbinaabout 12 mi northwest
- New Londonabout 14 mi east
- Columbianearest city, about 42 mi southwest
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Questions about Mark Twain Lake
What fish are in Mark Twain Lake?
Mark Twain Lake holds catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, walleye and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Mark Twain Lake?
About 85 ft at the deepest point, about 29 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Mark Twain Lake?
18,600 acres, with about 135 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Mark Twain Lake?
Monroe City is about 5.6 miles north; Paris is about 5.7 miles west.
What is the water temperature at Mark Twain Lake today?
The surface was about 59°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Mark Twain Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
