http://www.lmvp.org/kayakswarm/PaddlersGuide/
This is a pretty good source of answers to all your questions about where to go regarding floatable waters in Missouri.
To me, right now in the lakes is the hardest time to catch fish. Spawn is done and summer time is not quite here, fish in the lakes are hard to find. Creeks and rivers are another matter altogether, it's prime if you ask me.
Nobody did it last year either, there were three places between Linden and Greenbridge that trees had completely blocked. I debated taking a chainsaw myself and decided I liked barriers keeping river traffic down more than not having to go around them. Right now that tree just above Greenbridge is ready to go in and it will be another one.
I blame most of the low level low life criminal activity on meth. That crap and the people who make, sell and use it has changed the world. The way it is largely ignored by Law Enforcement really gives me heartburn.
You noticed that too huh? I almost asked Ham where he was because I thought I might have recognized it. I thought he might pop in on this thread and mention it as well. But overhangs like that aren't exactly rare either.