Joplin Area
Trout Fishing Opportunties This page was updated 3/21/06
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.
All we need to make you a trout reproduction is a photo of your fish!
