Float Fishing For Trout

[ozark trout fisher]

I'm planning a float fishing trip for trout somewhere in the Missouri Ozarks. Could be anywhere from May to July. I would prefer to spin fish, but also fly fish. Basically, I just need to know which rivers have the best populations of trout, best floating, and which streams produce throughout the summer. I would also really appreciate learning what access points to use. Thanks a lot for any help I can get. I really appreciate it.

[FishinCricket]

I'm planning a float fishing trip for trout somewhere in the Missouri Ozarks. Could be anywhere from May to July. I would prefer to spin fish, but also fly fish. Basically, I just need to know which rivers have the best populations of trout, best floating, and which streams produce throughout the summer. I would also really appreciate learning what access points to use. Thanks a lot for any help I can get. I really appreciate it.

I live next to The Niangua and have fished all the spots you mention.. If you want to find the best spot to float AND fish for trout as you indicated, there's only one suggestion in Missouri.

My advice is to set everything up with brian Sloss, he runs (along with some other nice folks) a great outfit in Alton Mo.. Brian is the moderator on the Eleven Point section of this forum.. I think his site is advertised there, it's www.11pointcanoe.com , I think..

Definitely the best float and fish for trout that is available.. Do the Greer springs float, it's around 5 miles of trophy waters.. Special regs designed for flyfisherman, but I always do fine. My fishing reports are located in that section as well..

If you really feel like having the best luck possible, Hire Brian to put you in the drift boat.. A guide like him is invaluable, and definitely worth every dollar..

If you do come to the Niangua look me up and I will happily give some instruction..

[jdmidwest]

Spend some time reading about each of the rivers on here and you should learn alot about any of the rivers. Each have their good points and strengths. One thing to consider is whether you want to catch and keep or just fish. Areas with regulations would limit the techniques and amounts of fish you could take. Many of the sections of each river are better at certain times of the year. Some receive more float traffic than others. Or, you could just float them all and give your own opinion on here.

[ozark trout fisher]

Really appreciate the suggestions, I remember to keep the Eleven Point in mind. The idea of having the chance to catch some of it's wild fish sounds good anyway. By the way, I don't really mind whether the restrictions prevent me from keeping fish. I mostly catch and release anyways. Thanks again.

[Gavin]

It really depend on what you want to do..the Current, 11pt, Meramec, NFoW. and Niangua, are all worth fishing...IMO, the Current has the best scenery, followed by the 11pt, Meramec, NFoW (to many cabins on the river). and Niangua (trash, & cattle). Best fishing is a toss up between the 11pt (best free flowing rainbow fishery)and Current (best free flowing brown trout fishery). The Meramec and Niangua offer mixed bags of browns, rainbows, bass, and panfish. NFoW offers wild rainbow trout, brown trout, and anything that swims in lake Norfork is a possibility. Pick up a copy of the Missouri Floaters Guide, and check out the trout maps on the MDC website. Our blue ribbon streams are great, but some of the red and white ribbon areas are great too. The Niangua, Current Below Cedar Grove, NFoW, and Meramec get the most float traffic on summer weekends. Not so many weekend floaters on the 11pt, but jet boats can be a nuisance. Cheers.

[ozark trout fisher]

It really depend on what you want to do..the Current, 11pt, Meramec, NFoW. and Niangua, are all worth fishing...IMO, the Current has the best scenery, followed by the 11pt, Meramec, NFoW (to many cabins on the river). and Niangua (trash, & cattle). Best fishing is a toss up between the 11pt (best free flowing rainbow fishery)and Current (best free flowing brown trout fishery). The Meramec and Niangua offer mixed bags of browns, rainbows, bass, and panfish. NFoW offers wild rainbow trout, brown trout, and anything that swims in lake Norfork is a possibility. Pick up a copy of the Missouri Floaters Guide, and check out the trout maps on the MDC website. Our blue ribbon streams are great, but some of the red and white ribbon areas are great too. The Niangua, Current Below Cedar Grove, NFoW, and Meramec get the most float traffic on summer weekends. Not so many weekend floaters on the 11pt, but jet boats can be a nuisance. Cheers.

Thanks a lot. Very helpful. I'm kinda new to the whole Missouri trout fishing thing, spent most of my time trout fishing in the streams of Colorado where I used to live.

[Brian Sloss]

Of the rivers you mentioned, the Current, the 11 Point and the NFOW would be the three I would choose from, though you should take time to fish them all eventually. The Current is the smallest, at least where the trout are and like Gavin said has good Brown trout. The NFOW has the best wild population of rainbows. The Eleven Point is my home water and favorite because it runs through almost all national forest. Very good rainbow trout fishing, stocked trout and some wild trout. Depending on when you come to the Eleven Point should dictate where you fish. In May, I would probably fish the White ribbon area as the Blue ribbon area usually doesn't fish as well that time of year. That is not to say it won't fish well, but it is more of a challenge then. Sometimes that is a good thing if you like a challenge. Above Greer in May is exceptional for Smallmouth. The White ribbon area should fish pretty well in May and June. If you choose a mid July or later trip, the blue ribbon area is a must as it comes into its own in later summer and peaks in the fall, Sept-Nov. You might consider going over night as you can camp almost everywhere as you will be in national forest with no development. Hope this helps.

[Gavin]

The 11pt and Current are my favorites for an overnight of multi-day trout floats, followed by the Meramec for an overnight trip. The Current is on National Park Land and the 11pt is on Forest Service Land so you can camp anywhere you want to...Good Camping on the Meramec in Woodson Conservation Area and that is were the best trout water is..Its private land below Woodson and there arent that many good spots to camp between there and Scott's Ford. A trip to the NFoW usually involves a cabin trip to River of Life, or tent camping at Sunburst Ranch. Both can provide a boat and a shuttle for you. Look up Brian's place (Eleven Point Canoe) for the 11pt, Jadwin or Akers Ferry Canoe Rental for the Current, and Adventure Outdoors for floats on the Meramec. There are 5 of 6 outfitters to choose from on the Niangua depending on where you want to float. Cheers.

[ozark trout fisher]

The 11pt and Current are my favorites for an overnight of multi-day trout floats, followed by the Meramec for an overnight trip. The Current is on National Park Land and the 11pt is on Forest Service Land so you can camp anywhere you want to...Good Camping on the Meramec in Woodson Conservation Area and that is were the best trout water is..Its private land below Woodson and there arent that many good spots to camp between there and Scott's Ford. A trip to the NFoW usually involves a cabin trip to River of Life, or tent camping at Sunburst Ranch. Both can provide a boat and a shuttle for you. Look up Brian's place (Eleven Point Canoe) for the 11pt, Jadwin or Akers Ferry Canoe Rental for the Current, and Adventure Outdoors for floats on the Meramec. There are 5 of 6 outfitters to choose from on the Niangua depending on where you want to float. Cheers.

Thanks a lot for the camping/ canoe outfitter info. I'll definitely write that down and keep those places in mind for this coming spring. Cheers