Little Niangua Smallies

[drew03cmc]

The LN is a great little stream. I caught my first smallie there a few years ago and have been itching to get back, but time and funds for $3.30/gal gas have not been there...I plan to fish it this year sometime...I will let everyone know!

[basska]

  On 3/28/2008 at 5:25 AM, drew03cmc said:

The LN is a great little stream. I caught my first smallie there a few years ago and have been itching to get back, but time and funds for $3.30/gal gas have not been there...I plan to fish it this year sometime...I will let everyone know!

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Old topic - but looking at it for some research. I will definitely be taking a day trip to this river sometime this summer - not sure whether I will float or wade, but right now, wading is more so on my mind. Not asking for secret spots, but does anyone know the best access for wade fishing? Should I work upstream from Fiery Fork? Or maybe just explore the Mule Shoe area? Thanks

[drew03cmc]

  On 1/28/2025 at 6:20 PM, basska said:

Old topic - but looking at it for some research. I will definitely be taking a day trip to this river sometime this summer - not sure whether I will float or wade, but right now, wading is more so on my mind. Not asking for secret spots, but does anyone know the best access for wade fishing? Should I work upstream from Fiery Fork? Or maybe just explore the Mule Shoe area? Thanks

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Honestly, I've had more luck in the lower stretches, but a kayak or a canoe is the best way to access this river. Check it out and get back with us. It is a fun river, but I have not had a ton of luck for size. My first 16, 17 and 18 were all from this stream on the same day many years ago, but nothing over 14 since. 

[basska]

  On 3/4/2025 at 12:58 AM, drew03cmc said:

Honestly, I've had more luck in the lower stretches, but a kayak or a canoe is the best way to access this river. Check it out and get back with us. It is a fun river, but I have not had a ton of luck for size. My first 16, 17 and 18 were all from this stream on the same day many years ago, but nothing over 14 since. 

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I've heard lots of varying reports. Lots about frog water with little production. I figure Bannister would be a good place to put in if I could shuttle properly. I'm not about size currently... I'm yet to have a truly GREAT smallie number day in my life. That's what I'm setting out to do, hopefully closer to home than further. I'll try it when water levels are productive, hopefully sometime in May.

[drew03cmc]

  On 3/4/2025 at 1:41 AM, basska said:

I've heard lots of varying reports. Lots about frog water with little production. I figure Bannister would be a good place to put in if I could shuttle properly. I'm not about size currently... I'm yet to have a truly GREAT smallie number day in my life. That's what I'm setting out to do, hopefully closer to home than further. I'll try it when water levels are productive, hopefully sometime in May.

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For numbers, it is a hit or miss river. I've had 35 fish days and I've had 7 fish days. There are fifteen rivers I would choose over this one for numbers and I often go to the Lil N for its proximity to Kansas City.

[basska]

  On 3/4/2025 at 1:56 AM, drew03cmc said:

For numbers, it is a hit or miss river. I've had 35 fish days and I've had 7 fish days. There are fifteen rivers I would choose over this one for numbers and I often go to the Lil N for its proximity to Kansas City.

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I'm sure they are. I'm not so worried about size right now, mainly because I have other trips planned where I will focus on it. I plan on floating the Niangua below Moon Valley in May, the JF above Alley Spring in June, the 11 pt multiple nights in July or August and the Gasconade with Tommy Bench in October. 

The dream is to find a stream within 3 hours of KC I can catch 25 plus Smallies in a few hours.

[drew03cmc]

  On 3/4/2025 at 2:11 AM, basska said:

I'm sure they are. I'm not so worried about size right now, mainly because I have other trips planned where I will focus on it. I plan on floating the Niangua below Moon Valley in May, the JF above Alley Spring in June, the 11 pt multiple nights in July or August and the Gasconade with Tommy Bench in October. 

The dream is to find a stream within 3 hours of KC I can catch 25 plus Smallies in a few hours.

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I have a few under 3 hours. I've spent years finding these and the accesses on them. 

[basska]

  On 3/4/2025 at 2:24 AM, drew03cmc said:

I have a few under 3 hours. I've spent years finding these and the accesses on them. 

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that's awesome! That's how almost every weekend will go this summer for me I am sure. Unfortunately this last weekend didn't produce. Plenty more water to see.

[basska]

  On 3/4/2025 at 12:58 AM, drew03cmc said:

Honestly, I've had more luck in the lower stretches, but a kayak or a canoe is the best way to access this river. Check it out and get back with us. It is a fun river, but I have not had a ton of luck for size. My first 16, 17 and 18 were all from this stream on the same day many years ago, but nothing over 14 since. 

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Well - went down to this area on Sunday with a buddy of mine. We waded at Fiery Fork. Didn't see many fish and ended up skunked for our couple hours of effort. It is a beautiful river. More scenic than the rivers in McDonald County, IMO. I lost one fish in some deeper slack water near this eddy looking formation by a downed tree.

We drove down to Bannister Hollow and parked at Cedar Camp and waded just upstream the bridge for 30 minutes or so. No luck there but great looking water. 

The people at CC were awful kind so I have definitely made a note to come back and float the river this summer. Beautiful place. They seem like they would offer a shuttle...

[drew03cmc]

  On 3/25/2025 at 6:23 PM, basska said:

Well - went down to this area on Sunday with a buddy of mine. We waded at Fiery Fork. Didn't see many fish and ended up skunked for our couple hours of effort. It is a beautiful river. More scenic than the rivers in McDonald County, IMO. I lost one fish in some deeper slack water near this eddy looking formation by a downed tree.

We drove down to Bannister Hollow and parked at Cedar Camp and waded just upstream the bridge for 30 minutes or so. No luck there but great looking water. 

The people at CC were awful kind so I have definitely made a note to come back and float the river this summer. Beautiful place. They seem like they would offer a shuttle...

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They will definitely shuttle you. The issue you will run into on this river is the distance between high quality pools. You can pull an 8" fish from about anywhere on the river, but for anything over 12", you need to be in the combination of current seams and slack water. There is some great water on this river, but the quality fish do not appear to be present  in all of the prime areas. I have not fished this stream in over 2 years due to the lack of finding quality fish.