Created in 1913, Lake Taneycomo was originally intended to be a warm water lake.  In 1958, Table Rock dam was completed and its outflow caused the waters to become between 42 and 52 degrees year round.  With a year round average water temperature of 48 degrees, Lake Taneycomo provides cooler summer and warmer winter fishing conditions.

Taking advantage of the cooler waters, the Missouri Department of Conservation constructed The Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery.  The hatchery resides on the upper end of Lake Taneycomo and provides about 1,125,000 catchable trout annually.  The facility offers all production phases for trout production including egg incubation, early phase, intermediate phase, and final phase rearing.