Anyone in Midwest been on Highlands Silver Lake? Other suggestions?

[Duncan]

Has anyone in the Midwest boated on Highlands Silver Lake?

Google Maps satellite view shows a boat ramp. I am guessing it is shallow.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.7914...3113,14z?hl=en

We are selling our camper this Spring and focusing on day/weekend trips rather than keeping camper full time at Rend Lake.

Other Midwest suggestions?

We have been to:
Rend Lake, IL (our "home" lake for 5 seasons)
Lake Lou Yaeger, IL
Kincaid Lake, IL
Norfork Lake, MO
Lake of the Ozarks, MO


Plan to check out:
Lake Carlyle, IL (heard it is windy)
Lake Shelbyville, IL
Mark Twain Lake, MO
Bull Shoals, MO

Any other suggestions appreciated.

[nmriordan]

Since you have Bull Shoals listed I'd add Table Rock to the list.


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[shemakesmesmile]

I'm also interested in Lake Shelbyville. I haven't been there yet, but considering it as it'd be a good midway point from my house in Wisconsin and some family friends in Cincinnati. Have you checked out Lake Lubbers to get some more info?

http://www.lakelubbers.com/lake-shelbyville-716/

[007]

I think I can help with most everything except Highland Silver. I researched Highland Silver a couple of years ago and there was some weird reason that I don't remember like HP limits, or semi private or some such. There is however an excellent home-style restaurant close by called the Blue Springs Café that is worth a visit. Kinda like a mini Lamberts without the thrown rolls.

Lake Carlyle, IL - Not just windy but very shallow. Not the best candidate for surfing and becomes a washing machine with the slightest breeze. It's closest to my home of all those you have mentioned and it is also my least favorite lake in the region. Rend was a better choice by far if that is where you have been going too.

Lake Shelbyville, IL - My absolute favorite lake in the region!!! If the corps would allow home with docks on the water here, I would have bought a place at Shelbyville vs. a condo at Lake of the Ozarks. It is getting a little more trafficked on the weekend, but besides mammoth houseboats, the biggest boat you typically see on this lake is about a 27 foot Baja. Lithia Springs marina is my favorite marina on the lake. We typically stay at Lithia cabins, but the campground there is pretty nice. For the last 8 years, I have cohosted a boating event that has grown to over 30 boats. Mostly Yamaha, but we had 3 Tiges this year. @trace is a regular and @carfanatic has been a few times. Its usually the first weekend in August. A lot of houseboats on this lake and a lot of people raft and cove out. Plenty of places to get your water sports on. Moderate Corps. presence on the lake, but they don't screw with you much. A lot of shallow at the north end of the lake to deal with (but so is Rend and Carlyle). The town is decent and offers a variety of places to eat. There is a subway at Lithia Marina on the water

Mark Twain Lake, MO - More of a fishing lake, but not bad for water sports. Slightly smaller that Shelbyville, but a very good sized lake. Very heavy mineral content, its stained my hull to the point I had to acid wash it when I went a couple weekends in a row one summer. I prefer to launch from the UU ramp. Not a lot of services, but a decent sized lake. The "drunk yahoo in a rental pontoon" factor is slightly higher at this lake than the others, but manageable. Plenty of smooth water to enjoy.

Bull Shoals, MO - Still on my list. Probably very similar to Norfork, which I have enjoyed with @trace in the past. The have had an event the last 2 years called "Surf the Bull" which I want to attend, but its a long haul from St. Louis for a weekend.

Hope that helps! I am LOTO based now in the State Park, but have boated a lot in the STL region. I used to enjoy the Mississippi and Illinois river, but after an altercation with a rock wing dam and then buying the Tige, I have moved away from river boating (even though it is beautiful).

[007]

Ah, just googled it: Highland Silver requires a city sticker and has a 50hp limit. Me thinks your 409 might be breaking the rules a bit @Duncan!

[Duncan]

Lake Shelbyville, IL - My absolute favorite lake in the region!!! ... Lithia Springs marina is my favorite marina on the lake. We typically stay at Lithia cabins ...,

For the last 8 years, I have cohosted a boating event that has grown to over 30 boats ... would love to have you and can give you a link if you want more info.

Bull Shoals, MO - ... The have had an event the last 2 years called "Surf the Bull" which I want to attend, but its a long haul from St. Louis for a weekend.

Hope that helps! I am LOTO based now in the State Park, but have boated a lot in the STL region. I used to enjoy the Mississippi and Illinois river, but after an altercation with a rock wing dam and then buying the Tige, I have moved away from river boating (even though it is beautiful).

Would love to attend your Aug event at Shelbyville (if I don't go to GenCOn that weekend). Do you know if there are any on the water resorts at Shelbyville (guessing not in Corp lake)?

Would be interested in the Surf the Bull event at Bull Shoals too, especially with another friendly boat.

We will be at LOTO several times this summer -- friends have a house right on the lake, not too far from the state park. I will let you know when we are there.

We boated on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers for two seasons (had lift at Portage Des Sioux). Never lost a prop but had some hull work. Got off the river before our son was born (he is 4 now).

Ah, just googled it: Highland Silver requires a city sticker and has a 50hp limit. Me thinks your 409 might be breaking the rules a bit @Duncan!

Thanks for info.

Have you been to Lake Lou Yaeger? It is a calm sheltered lake fairly close to St Louis. Never seen it very busy. A dock and gas service is the only thing there. But most everywhere is 10'+. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2065...29,13.5z?hl=en

[Duncan]

I'm also interested in Lake Shelbyville. I haven't been there yet, but considering it as it'd be a good midway point from my house in Wisconsin and some family friends in Cincinnati. Have you checked out Lake Lubbers to get some more info?

http://www.lakelubbers.com/lake-shelbyville-716/

Thanks for the link!