This little spring branch is lovely and well manicured -- a great place for a family
picnic. The area has grills, picnic tables, toilets, etc., and it is routinely mowed
to make access as easy as possible. There is good quality water, and the branch is
stocked frequently by the Missouri Department of Conservation (every few weeks from
March through October), so you will catch fish. There are only a few downsides.
First, the spring branch is less than a 1/4 mile long, so it takes no time at all to
cast to every fish present. This also makes it nearly impossible to find that lunker
that's been hiding out in a remote spot, because there are no remote spots. Second,
the spring branch is on Fort Leonard Wood, meaning you have to jump through a hoop
or two to gain access. This is really no big deal, though. Third, the stocking dates
are announced in advance, which can lead to a trout park atmosphere on stocking day, and a
nearly empty creek a few days later.
For most of the year, Stone Mill is operated as a put-and-take fishery, but there is now
also a winter fish-for-fun season that runs from November 1 through February 28. During
this time, you may fish 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm only, using flies and lures only,
with soft plastics specifically forbidden. Click here
to visit the Fort Leonard Wood page explaining the post fishing rules in more detail.
The good news is that you no longer need a post Sportman's Permit to fish on Stone Mill
Spring Branch. This probably has something to do with the fishery now being managed
jointly in a cooperative effort by the US Forest Service, the MDC, and Ft. Leonard Wood.
The easiest way to get there is to enter the fort through the East gate. On I-44 just East
of the Fort Leonard Wood exit, take Highway J South. As soon as you cross
Spring Creek, turn right to find the East gate. As soon as you cross the Big Piney River,
turn left. Drive a couple of miles and veer left when the road splits. Again cross the Big Piney
and immediately turn left, following that road to the parking area.
IMPORTANT NOTE: unless you already have proper authorization to enter post, the East gate
guards will turn you away. You'll instead have to enter at the front gate (just off I-44), park at
the visitor center, and go in to obtain a guest pass. You'll need your driver's license, vehicle
registration and proof of insurance. Then you'll have to drive up to the inspection station, where
an officer will search your vehicle. The entire process will only take 10-15 minutes, and it's really
no big deal. Just be sure to remove the liquor, drugs, assault weapons, and pipe bombs from your trunk
before you go fishing.
Most people spin fish with in-line spinners, little crankbaits, etc., but fly and bait fishermen
also do well drift fishing with a bobber or strike indicator. Between March and October, fly fishermen
should focus on drifting little attractor patterns like glo-bugs, san juan worms, wooley worms, soft
hackles, etc. In the winter time, you'll do better to use more natural appearing flies, like pheasant
tails, hare's ears, little brassies, etc. Bait fishermen tend to prefer Powerbait, but they'll generally
do better drifting salmon eggs, dough bait, small earthworms, etc. under a small bobber. Just set the
depth, cast upstream, and let it drift back to you.
Call (573) 468-3335 for more information
You can check the USGS water level changes in real-time, both by checking our
Water Levels page and clicking on the Big Piney link. Click here for a recent
Stone Mill Spring fishing report. After fish Stone Mill Spring,
we hope you'll come back to tell us how you did.
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