South-Central Missouri
Trout Fishing Opportunities This page was updated 5/16/09
This area of Missouri includes several decent-sized population centers -- Cabool, Eminence,
Poplar Bluff, West Plains, etc. -- and we certainly don't want to slight anyone. So, we're
focusing on the region rather than a specific destination. The good news is that there is
great trout fishing within an hour of almost any south-central location. However, if you
like to fish spring creeks and babbling brooks, then we also have some bad news for you.
This is big river country.
This region is roughly bordered by four world-class trout streams. On the far Western edge,
you'll find Lake Taneycomo near Branson, MO.
Taneycomo is well-known as Missouri's own "football freak show", due to it's propensity for
giving up 3-foot long football-shaped trout. To the north you'll find the
Current River, which is a part of National Park
Service's Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
To the East you'll find the Eleven-point River,
also managed by the National Park Service and labeled as a
Wild and Scenic River.
In the middle of the region, you'll find the North Fork
of the White River, among the most beloved and respected wild trout streams in the entire
Midwest.
Lake Taneycomo has waters for different types of fishermen. There are wadable areas upstream
that suit fly-fishermen best. Further downstream, the best fishing is done from a boat and
tends to include spinners, spoons, crankbaits, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs more often than
not. The primary downside is that the river is usually fairly crowded.
The Current, the Eleven-point, and the North Fork are all fairly similar styles of rivers.
All three have some good water accessible from wading fishermen parking at access points.
All three are classic fly-fishing streams. All three also give up a good number of fish to
spin fishermen. Also, in all three cases, those that can float the rivers will find the best
and most productive fishing spots.
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