But even on the right waters, finding white bass can be sometimes be difficult. Locating white bass roaming main-lake basins means being mobile, and willing to look for fish that can be just about anywhere.

"White bass don't relate to traditional bass structure," said biologist Matt Mauck. "Spoons and trolling are the way anglers usually catch white bass. The bass swim in schools and chase the shad, so they're not keyed in on traditional black bass structure like trees and rocky points. Sometimes you'll find them around points, humps and dropoffs, but only if that's where the shad are."

Truman, which sprawls across Benton County, is a recent addition to the Show-Me State's impoundments, having been filled in 1979; at present it covers over 55,000 acres. Standing timber can present a real challenge to boaters trying to navigate the hazards.

For more information contact, the Harry S. Truman State Park marina at (660) 438-2423 or Kansas City Regional Office at (816) 655-6250.

Contact the Missouri Division of Tourism at (573) 751-4133, or online at www.visitmo.com, for information on lodging.