there is good smallmouth fishing at Wilson,milford and melvern lakes.the best smally fishing in ks. is at coffey co. lake.It is a powerplant lake down by New Strawn ks.You must check in and receive a pager before you go out on the lake,they will call you in during high winds.You must wear a lifejacket at all times.This being said,the smallmouth fishing is pretty good.The steam fishing in mo. occurs in so central mo to the elk river in the s.w. mo.Call the Mo.Dept of Conservation for their free fishing prospects book for more info.The elk river by Noel mo. or the Niangua river by Bennett Springs are the nearest to K.C.170 miles to either of them