Fishing at Lake Taneycomo is strongly focused on trout: the lake is primarily a trout fishery, and about 90 percent of the fish caught by anglers are rainbow trout. Rules in certain sections are also important for anglers. Only artificial lures and flies are permitted on the upper three miles between Table Rock Dam and the mouth of Fall Creek. Anyone fishing in Lake Taneycomo above the Highway 65 bridge in Branson needs a trout permit. Check the current fishing regulations before setting out.
Lakes, Rivers, and Shoreline Trails
Table Rock Lake is also one of the lakes in Taney County suited to boating, fishing, and water sports. Beaver Creek offers another perspective on the water: it flows southwest from Douglas County through Taney County and empties into Bull Shoals Lake just below Powersite Dam. The creek is a destination for float trips; wading opportunities are also available upstream. Boats can be launched at Beaver Creek Campground in Brownbranch or at the Highway 76 bridge in Bradleyville.
In eastern Taney County, the management areas at Bull Shoals Lake offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. In Forsyth, a paved, accessible trail system also runs along the lake from Shadowrock Park to Empire Park at Powersite Dam. The trail connects the two parks named above along Bull Shoals Lake, offering a specific shoreline route that differs from the float trips and wading on Beaver Creek.
Hiking Trails in the Ozarks
Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area lies in the White River Hills in western Taney County, west of Branson. Covering 1,534 acres, it features steep hills, typical upland oak-hickory forest, and scattered scenic glades. The area also has 5.6 miles of hiking trails, a scenic overlook, and an observation tower. A stretch of Roark Creek about half a mile long is also part of the area. Fringed by bottomland forest, the creek is considered a relatively undisturbed Ozarks headwater stream.
In the White River Balds area, the 1.1-mile Glade Trail is a loop. Combined with the Streamside Trail, it makes for a 1.5-mile hike. These two figures make clear the difference between the individual loop and the longer combined route. The area also has a literary connection: Boulder Bald is mentioned in The Shepherd of the Hills.
Drury-Mincy Conservation Area covers 4,134.8 acres and has nearly 20 miles of roads and trails. The area and trail network give a sense of the scale of the site, while the trails themselves offer a variety of ways to explore on foot.
Discover Landscapes and Culture
Top of the Rock is known as the site of the highest elevation in Taney County. At Top of the Rock, the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail passes waterfalls and striking rock formations. The trail also includes a four-story cave with a cascading waterfall. Here, rocky landscapes and water meet in a compact area.
Culture and history can also be explored in different ways. The White River Valley Historical Society documents historic sites and buildings and offers exhibits and educational programs. The Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum presents artifacts, images, and interactive exhibits about the development of the Ozarks. At the Branson Centennial Museum, changing exhibits tell the story of Branson and the surrounding Taney County.
Hundreds of theaters line Highway 76 in Branson. Taney therefore offers a wide range of discoveries: trout fishing at Lake Taneycomo, trails and waterways in the Ozarks, and exhibits and theaters in the Branson area. You can choose which of these will shape your trip according to your interests.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Branson, Rockaway Beach, Table Rock, Ridgedale, Hollister, Merriam Woods, Douglas, Daviess.
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