Joplin Area
Trout Fishing Opportunities This page was updated 5/16/09
There's nothing wrong with the town of Joplin, except that someone needs to figure
out a way to bring more trout fishing to the area! The closest trout water is
Hickory Creek, which is the state's newest managed
trout area. It's flows through Neosho, straight south of Joplin on Hwy 71. The
stream is the highlight of town's enormous city park. With such easy access for
fishermen, the creek will probably always be a
White Ribbon stream, but that's okay. We need places to bait fish, too!
Capps Creek is actually a very nice little trout stream.
It can be tricky to find it, though, if you've never been there before. Take
Highway 71 South from Joplin. Pick up Highway 60 near Neosho and take 60 East
through Granby and continue on toward Monett. The road you're looking for is Wallaby
Road, which is 10 miles or so past Granby. Don't blink, because you
will miss it. If you get to Highway 97, you've overshot Wallaby Road
by a good 4 or 5 miles. Turn south on Wallaby Road and follow it down to Jolly Mill
Drive. Turn left or right on Jolly Mill Drive to find the water.
Crane Creek is also within reach from Joplin. Take I-44
East to Mount Vernon. Pick up Highway 39 South through Aurora. Four or five miles
south of Aurora, turn left on Highway TT, following TT to the city of Crane. There
is conservation department land upstream and downstream from Crane, but there are
fish throughout the creek. There are even some exceptionally spooky fish in the city
park, but you really need to be on your game to hook one. These are the only fish on
this river that get any kind of fishing pressure, so they don't exactly play by the
same rules as the fish in the wilder sections of the creek.
Both Roaring River State Park and the
R.R. White Ribbon Area downstream are also not too
terribly far for a day of fishing. Take I-44 East and exit Highway 37 South. Take
37 South into Cassville and follow the signs to the park. Drive through the park and
out the back exit to find the White Ribbon area -- there will be several access
roads to your right. The lower stretches of the park and the areas below the park
are wonderful. They are rugged, and there are many areas stuffed with fish. The
fishing is challenging, though, and you should be prepared to do some walking.
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