If you have ever visited Branson before, chances are that you have heard of the area’s famous lakes. Table Rock is legendary for its bass fishing, as well as being the home waters for the Showboat Branson Belle – and don’t forget the dam! Table Rock Lake is certainly the most well-known body of water comprising the Trilakes – but what you may not know is that Lake Taneycomo, while less well-known, is just as awesome as Table Rock Lake! Read on to discover why Lake Taneycomo is referred to as a ‘hidden gem’ here in the Ozarks!
History: How did Lake Taneycomo come to be? And what’s with the name? Well, Taneycomo was originally a warm water lake. It came into existence in the year 1913, when the mighty waters of the White River were contained by the construction and completion of the Powersite Dam. (The Powersite Dam is owned privately by the Empire Electric Company.) The meaning behind the name of the lake, while puzzling at first, is actually quite simple: the body of water was named after Taney County Missouri, hence, Taney-co-mo. After the creation and naming of the lake, it remained a warm water area until 1958, when the completion of the Table Rock Dam turned it into a cold water lake. The deep, cold tailwaters from Table Rock pour into Taneycomo via the dam spillway, reducing the temperature quite a bit! But the drop in the water temperature is much of what makes Lake Taneycomo what it is today.
Recreation: While the water in this lake may be a little cold for swimming, it makes for out of this world trout fishing! The cold yet shallow waters of Taneycomo just below the Table Rock Dam create the perfect habitat for trout to flourish. (Of course, it helps having the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery located just below the dam too!) The water gets deeper and a bit warmer the closer it gets to the Powersite Dam, making it great for other fish too. Fishing is not the only fun you can have on Lake Taneycomo – surrounded by beautiful Ozarks scenery, this lake is also great for boating, water skiing, hiking, and camping! You can even find great spots to swim if you are tough enough to brave the cold waters.
Hotspots: There are some fun places along Lake Taneycomo that you will want to be sure and visit while you are in town. Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is a unique and educational experience that you won’t want to miss – here you can see how the trout are raised for release in concrete raceways, learn about the water system in which they will be released, hike on the hatchery trails, and even feed the fish! The Powersite Dam is also a great place to stop. It provides great photo opportunities, as well as some great fishing and history. And if you are looking for a great place to stay and fish, check out Lilley’s Landing, where you can relax and fish to your hearts content!
Lake Taneycomo is full of hidden treasures. Be sure to make it a stop on your next trip!
