Hazards @ LOTO
 

Are there any maps available online or when i get to LOTO for rock bars hazards or general crap to watchout for @ LOTO? Thanx in advance

Basically, unless you run into one of the shore walls, you are good anywhere... Deep water, And easily navigatable channels are what LOTO is known for.

If you call the Chamber or visitors bureau ahead of time, they will send you a packet with the "good map:. I think the package is 5-6 dollars?

Additionally, the "promo" map can be picked up just about everywhere. There is also visitor, restaurant and realestate guides.

The promo map is all you will need. It is a very open body of water. Even in the coves I have never seen or heard of any hazards. The first time I went to LOTO I found a map, then I think I only used it once. There are some maps around that have advertising that show where the major stopping places are at, but the best map was doing some poker runs and finding the card stops.
Where are you staying at? We stay at Tan-tar-a, as they have a special rate ($75) for the shootout, but there are a lot of places.

I have no idea where we are staying. A frient Kent (Last name???) with a 38 eagle with procharged 525's is setting it up. I have a realitively shallow freeboard( I am kinda worried about big waves). Also how are the noise police. I have gills with thru hull and downturns and i was going to throw some shotgunns in the tails and then throw the downturns back on.

I am used to baoting in WI which is all flowages and flooded resiviours. Lots of stumps and trees and old grain silo's that are submerged. I personaly have never taken out a lower but i have a spare.

"28 Eliminator " email me your cell and i will email you mine. I am hoping to be down there all week. but i do not have excess funds, Kinda boating on a budget cuz of unemployment. [email protected]

The only thing to watch for is water patrol
I was there last weekend watching them at captain ron's

I've been boating on LOTO for over 30 years and have seen only one permanent obstruction, if you ever go to Ha Ha Tonka state park about one mile past the Hwy 54 bridge is a big log in the middle of the channel sticking out about a foot out of the water and it's very difficult to see (it isn't marked), just stay away 20 feet or so and you'll be fine.
In the Spring during the rainy season, sometimes there might be a few under water logs, but that's it, unless you just run up on shore or hit a seawall you'll be fine.

And yes, watch out for the WP, have a DD, but have fun.

We ran past that log again in July and every year I wonder why it is not removed.

That darn thing has been there for 40 years and we can't understand why they (WP, Ameren U.E., COE) haven't removed it or put a solar flashing yellow light on it or something, it's friggin' dangerous, especially at night, you can't see crap at night.

I've been in that area several times but never saw the log. Must be old age since I can't see crap during the day let alone the night. LOL

I'll be on the look out for it next time though.

wow that's good to know. I don't think I have ever been past the bridge, just stop and swim. Glad you brought it up.

Biggest thing is to have a dd at night. There are a few shallow spots off some points, but almost all of them have flashing bouys. Use your brain and the waves will be alright. There is a noise deal, I have strait exhaust on some fairly stock 454, never had a problem. Buddy has a 525's on a new donzi. They don't bother him about noise either, he is way louder than mine. I think it is mostly an excuse to check to see if you are drunk.

I'd never noticed that log until last weekend on a run to HaHa. I think I may bring my screwgun and stop at Lowe's to purchase a solar beacon and I'll just take care of it.
Or, anyone got any dynamite?
I think the biggest hazzard at LOTO is the grampa in the pontoon towing his 3 grandchildren on a tube right down the main channel. Oh yeah... with his flag up the whole time so you don't know if a kids in the water or not.

Worst thing that could happen is the top of that log would rot off. I've been going down there for years and it's always been there. Makes you wonder why it never rotted out.

Darn thing must be petrified wood, it's been sitting there for over 40 years, that's how long I've seen that silly log, it isn't going anywhere.

Here are a couple of areas to be carefull of:

6 mile cove the shallow secondary point straight back. It is marked.

Entrance to the Gravois Arm; 2nd point (Tony's Point) on the left . It is marked.

12mm just upstream from Ozark BBQ; point in front of Lakeview Resort; it is shallow and marked.

13.5mm between island in front of Lodge of the Four Seasons and the point upstream; it is marked with a breakwater for a portion.

Problem is the markers are bouys that from a distance look just like a no-wake bouy and you can't read them until it's too late; use common sense; I.e. stay away from a bouy that isn't in front of a dock as it marks danger or is a no wake zone cove/area.

question, near the community bridge is there a very deep hole there or was my depth finder going wacko, it read 400 + feet is that for real ?

Our place is located one cove up from the toll bridge so I would say I am very familiar with the area. I have never seen 400'. It is deep in some spots though, at the point where you turn in to our cove it is over 100' only 50' feet off the shore.

I agree with JMS, there's no place at LOTO that's 400 feet deep, better get you depth finder checked, the max depth is around 130' deep, even at the dam.

CAREFUL - Last Saturday night the end bouy Omerta mentioned does not have a working beacon. It's the entrance to our cove so I know to swing wide. Also, it's closer to the 11.5MM. In the daytime look for the giant red balloon at the Bikini Pier gas dock (just on the backside of Lakeview Resort).

I figured it was a little too deep for the area but you never know .

Forgot about one more and that is the entrance to Momosa Cove at about the 43MM. It is marked but it is still easy to come up on in a hurry.

I think there is a small rock ledge heading into the Gravois Arm off the main channel on the west side. Might be one in front of Lodge of Four Seasons around 13MM of main channel also. For the most part, not much to watch out for. Good deep water. Have a good time at LOTO.

Have you ever seen that logging show where those idiots pull the hundred plus year old logs out of the rivers? Those things last forever in water.