Forsyth is one of the best fishing towns in the Missouri Ozarks
Forsyth is a small town on the low end of Lake Taneycomo. It’s less than 15 miles east — by car or boat — of Branson, Big Cedar Lodge and the other attractions around Table Rock Lake, which are some of the most visited areas in the Missouri Ozarks. Yet, Forsyth has remained relatively quiet. People who do visit are most likely here for one reason: trout fishing. Out of everything the Ozark wilderness has to offer, Lake Taneycomo is considered by many to be the best fishing destination. In fact, it’s one of the most well-known trout fishing locations in the world. Without much busyness on the water, residents have unbothered access to all the lake has to offer.
Lake Taneycomo is one of the country’s best trout fishing locations
The meandering body of water around Forsyth is Lake Taneycomo. It may look like a river, but it was made into a lake by the Ozark Beach Dam in Powersite, just south of Forsyth. Boating, paddling and other watersports are all common activities on the lake, but trout fishing is what it’s best known for. The 22-mile-long lake is restocked with around 750,000 brown and rainbow trout every year. At just under a foot long, these trout are the perfect size for light-weight rod and reel setups, and fly fishing is also popular. People can access the water from launches at Shadowrock Park, just east of downtown Forsyth. The park also has a playground, basketball hoops and tennis and pickleball courts. River Run Park is on the lake’s southern shore, across from Shadowrock Park. It has lake access as well. A couple of miles south of Forsyth’s town center, Empire Park has a launch and a small dock next to Edgewater Beach. Empire Park also has ample lakefront green space.
Lakefront homes and options with acreage
Forsyth isn’t a big vacation destination like the towns around Table Rock Lake to the west. So, aside from a few exceptions, there are only single-family homes. The median single-family home price is about $320,000. Around the median, buyers can find large 1970s ranch-style homes near the lakefront. At the lower-priced end, small cottages and ranch-style homes can start under $150,000. True lakefront homes with water access range from $215,000 to $450,000, with larger homes on multiacre lots at the high end. Some of the largest properties in the countryside north of town can range from $450,000 to $775,000.
Go to the same campus for elementary, middle and high school
The Forsyth R-III School District serves local students and earns a B-plus rating from Niche. The district’s offices and three schools share a campus north of downtown Forsyth, on aptly named Panther Street — the district mascot. Forsyth Elementary gets a B-plus, and Forsyth Middle gets an A-minus. Students finish at Forsyth High, which receives a B-plus. On fall Friday nights, Forsyth High football games are the place to be. The Panthers’ stadium is at the end of Panther Street on the district’s campus.
Supermarkets and local coffee shops along state Route 160
Most of Forsyth’s businesses stand along state Route 160, the town’s main artery. Forsyth’s small Main Street downtown sits along the bend of Route 160. This central strip is home to local businesses, small shops and a Save A Lot for groceries. A short drive north leads to Country Mart, a larger supermarket. On the way, there are restaurants and coffee spots like Swan Valley Brew Co. and Flea Market, a café crossed with an eclectic boutique. The Forsyth Local Harvest Farmers Market is located on the south side of the lake, on state Route 76. Market goers come every Saturday morning to pick out produce and goods from local farmers and artisans.
Branson and Big Cedar Lodge are major hospitality employers
Tourism and hospitality are the dominant industries in this land of scenic lakes and attractions. Branson is the anchor city of this area, known for its country music-themed entertainment venues and theme parks, about 14 miles west on state Route 76. Just south of Branson is Big Cedar Lodge, one of the country's most popular wilderness resorts, just over 20 miles southwest of Forsyth. For health care needs, there are medical offices in Forsyth, but Cox Medical Center in Branson is the nearest large hospital. People usually fly in and out of Springfield-Branson National Airport in Springfield, the largest city in the Ozarks. Springfield is about 50 miles north.
