[title size=”2″]Kayaking Lake Springfield[/title]

Lake Springfield is a 318-acre lake in Greene County, Missouri. The lake is an expansion of the James River in southern Missouri. It is the ideal location for leisurely kayaking as there is a 6-horsepower motor limit on the lake. Visitors can rent 17 foot canoes and one and two-person kayaks between June and September at Lake Springfield Park Boathouse & Marina (5324 S Kissick Ave. in Springfield, Missouri). Rentals begin at 8:00 AM and continue to one hour before sunset (check operating hours). The rental rate for 1 hour is $10; $30 for 4 hours; and $45 for the entire day (8 hours). The boathouse has picnicking and restroom facilities available for use, as well as a retail shop that sells a variety of boating, fishing, and outdoor supplies. The boathouse also rents areas to large groups for special events. Besides the boathouse there is an access that can be used for private boats on the west end of the lake called Clay Henshaw Memorial Access (off Kissick Ave. just past the dam on the left).

Like the rest of the James River bodies of water, Lake Springfield has a unique blue-green color due to the presence of copper-fixing bacteria. This serene landscape can provide a picturesque background for fishing and relaxing. Anglers can snag largemouth bass, channel catfish, and a variety of sunfish in the lake. Bird watchers can see eagles, wild turkey, osprey, and waterfowl.