Fishy, Fishy, In a Brook

Oakville residents are fortunate to have several small lakes for fishing. In addition, we have to two major rivers and several creeks nearby. Due to high water conditions, Patch has decided to direct you to the two lakes in the neighborhood where you can safely fish from the bank or a dock.

Bee Tree Park at 2701 Finestown Road boasts a 9-acre lake complete with an accessible dock. A nearby parking lot and restrooms make this an ideal spot if you have some young anglers in tow.

This is a stocked lake, so your chances of catching some fish are very good. Expect to catch catfish, bass, crappie or sunfish.

Suson Park at 6059 Wells Road is home to the 6.5-acre Island Lake. This lake has a fishing jetty/ platform, nearby restrooms and plenty of close parking. Catfish, sunfish and bass are the usual catches.

Both parks require Missouri resident fishing permits, which are $12 for the calendar year. There are some variations, such as discounts for military personnel and special permits and limits for some game fish, so check with the Missouri Department of Conservation before you go. Find all of the details here. http://mdc.mo.gov/

You may now buy fishing permits online, print them and use them immediately. Go here https://www1.mo.wildlifelicense.com/start.php and use the e-Permits System. They accept credit cards and charge a $1 surcharge for the service. Otherwise, you may buy the permits at most bait and tackle shops.

To get started you will need some basic tackle items, a pole, a reel, hooks, line and some bait. All of these are available at Wal-Mart at 3270 Telegraph Road. You might begin with an inexpensive spin-casting reel, a five-foot pole, 10-pound test line, small treble hooks and some bait. Many people use worms, yellow cheese, corn (from a can), salmon eggs or artificial lures at these two lakes.

To be comfortable, take along some sunscreen, sunglasses and a fishing hat. For more fishing tips and information, check here.

After your fishing trip, post a comment on Patch about your catch. Exaggeration is expected.