Fellows Lake

Description

Fellows Lake is an 860acre source of water for the city of Springfield, Missouri. The lake was created by the impoundment of the Little Sac River behind the Fellows Lake Dam. The dam was originally constructed in 1955 and modified in 1991. The earthen and rock dam stands 102 feet high. It is 1500 feet long at its crest and impounds a maximum capacity of 36,368 acre-feet. Fellows Lake is managed cooperatively by City Utilities of Springfield and the Missouri Department of Conservation.The lake is also developing into one of the state's premier fisheries of Muskellunge. Muskies approaching 50in are occasionally caught; such sizes are not matched by any other Muskellunge habitat in the state.Recreational activitiesDue to its proximity to Springfield, Fellows Lake boasts an array of public areas for picnicking, barbecuing, and gathering places. The park surrounding the lake to the north houses one large pavilion on a large open grass area which is frequently used by kite-fliers. The lake also houses two major boat docks and one year-round marina for boat storage. A permit is required to launch a boat.There is also a small 50yd remote control airplane field run by the Springfield RC Club one mile (1.6 km) north of the lake.Sport fishing opportunities include largemouth bass, black and white crappie, catfish, walleye, muskie, and white bass. Sunfish, carp, and perch are frequently caught. Muskies are stocked yearly by the conservation department.ConditionThe marina was inspected by city engineers and found that the metal bracing substructure was deteriorated. They determined that the dock would be at the end of its life span in 2019. City Utilities plans to close the marina at the end of their lease with the marina's owner.