To teach kids the fun, patience and excitement of fishing, it's hard to beat a quiet lake full of panfish. Panfish generally include any species small enough to fit in a pan, but here we'll focus on the best places for finding bluegills, redear sunfish, crappie and a few others.

May is spawning season for most of those varieties, and lakes will be full of active fish, so it's a great time to take kids fishing. And no matter what corner of Missouri you call home, you're within a few hours' drive of a great place to take kids fishing for these popular species.

We've assembled a list of some of the best places to spend a day with kids. Most locations include conveniences such as restrooms, nearby camping, playgrounds and access to other outdoor activities.

"Just about any of our state-owned lakes offer good places to catch panfish," said Rich Wehnes, fisheries field operations chief for the Missouri Department of Conservation. "Our objective is to have a lake within 10 to 15 miles of every Missouri city. It's important to have a place where families can go and fish, so we make that a priority."

NORTH
Lake Show-Me
Located about three miles southwest of Memphis and only 45 minutes from Kirksville, this lake is state-owned but maintained by the city of Memphis. Kirksville fisheries management biologist Mike Anderson says that the good upkeep shows, with lots of shoreline access, a fishing dock and a covered picnic area. The lake is known for good bass fishing, but bluegills and redear sunfish are abundant in late spring. Facilities include a primitive campground with restrooms and picnic shelters.

Forest Lake
Just a five-mile drive from Kirksville, this close-in 573-acre fishing hole offers good fishing, with lots of white crappie in the 8- to 10-inch range and bluegills averaging between 6 and 7 inches. "Enough to keep kids' interest," Anderson said.

Other benefits include plenty of access points, a nearby restaurant and marina with bait and sundries, and a nearby state park with playgrounds and other facilities. The barrier-free dock and swimming beach make a day trip fun and easy.

NORTHEAST
LaBelle Lake
This 112-acre lake in Lewis County doesn't have any fishing docks, but ample bank access and good panfish populations make this one of the best-kept secrets among family fishing sites. The Missouri Sportsmen's Information Network cites LaBelle as the perfect place to take kids and others who think of fishing as one big bore, as plentiful crappie and big bluegills make this lake extra fun to fish. The MDC bought the lake from the city of LaBelle in 2003, and fishing prospects have improved since then.