Roaring River
White Ribbon Area
No bait restrictions. Daily limit is 4 trout with a 15 inch length restriction on brown trout.
This little stream has a small but devoted following among many types of trout fishermen. It stretches from Roaring River State Park all the way down to Table Rock Lake, although the trout fishing often doesn't stretch down that far in reality. The river is fed only by the large spring in the park, so over the course of 6-1/2 miles from the spring to the lake, the water gradually warms, of course, meaning the more active fish will generally be in the upper section of the stream. However, the water is bigger down there, so while you'll find fewer trout, the average size will often be larger -- not to mention the crossover possibility of catching bass and trout out of the same hole.
Finding trout-holding habitat can be a challenge, as the river frequently widens into ankle-deep riffles and sandy runs. However, the good news is that this type of river concentrates the trout. Once you locate some good areas, you'll be surprised at the quantity of trout you'll find and how wild they act. Most area trout fishermen spend all their time in Roaring River State Park, and Lake Taneycomo (about an hour away) keeps visiting trophy hunters busy. These two facts ensure that this stream will generally be underappreciated and underutilized, making it one of the few streams in Missouri where you can make terrific catches in relative solitude. Not the mention the fact that the Missouri Department of Conservation stocks this stream pretty heavily with both rainbows and browns.
All types of fishermen can experience success here, if they're ready and willing to do some walking. There are multiple access points available from Highways 86 and F via county roads and forest service roads. By wading upstream from any of these access points, you can catch fish by casting traditional nymphs, salmon eggs, worms or dough baits upstream and allowing them to drift back to you under a small bobber or strike indicator. Pools give up plenty of fish to streamers, small crankbaits and in-line spinners. And, if you have a trout permit (required for harvesting trout), you can wade right into Zone 3 of the trout park without even hesitating, where the quality fishing continues. If you don't have a trout permit, you'll need a daily trout park tag, and you'll need to be mindful of trout park regulations like legal fishing hours and seasons.
Roaring River can be found west of Eagle Rock and south of Cassville.
Finding trout-holding habitat can be a challenge, as the river frequently widens into ankle-deep riffles and sandy runs. However, the good news is that this type of river concentrates the trout. Once you locate some good areas, you'll be surprised at the quantity of trout you'll find and how wild they act. Most area trout fishermen spend all their time in Roaring River State Park, and Lake Taneycomo (about an hour away) keeps visiting trophy hunters busy. These two facts ensure that this stream will generally be underappreciated and underutilized, making it one of the few streams in Missouri where you can make terrific catches in relative solitude. Not the mention the fact that the Missouri Department of Conservation stocks this stream pretty heavily with both rainbows and browns.
All types of fishermen can experience success here, if they're ready and willing to do some walking. There are multiple access points available from Highways 86 and F via county roads and forest service roads. By wading upstream from any of these access points, you can catch fish by casting traditional nymphs, salmon eggs, worms or dough baits upstream and allowing them to drift back to you under a small bobber or strike indicator. Pools give up plenty of fish to streamers, small crankbaits and in-line spinners. And, if you have a trout permit (required for harvesting trout), you can wade right into Zone 3 of the trout park without even hesitating, where the quality fishing continues. If you don't have a trout permit, you'll need a daily trout park tag, and you'll need to be mindful of trout park regulations like legal fishing hours and seasons.
Roaring River can be found west of Eagle Rock and south of Cassville.
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