Best Big Trout Stream

[ozark trout fisher]

I was wondering what everyone on here thought was the best "big" trout stream in Missouri. By this I mean the Meramec, Current, North Fork of the White, Eleven Point, and Niangua.

Here's how it kinda breaks down in my mind:

Current River: Great wade fishing for big browns and rainbows, but the canoe traffic is kind of a bummer.

Meramec: Sometimes some decent trout fishing, but the wading is a bit difficult, and canoe traffic really slows things down in the summer. Always a good chance for a large trout or smallmouth though.

Niangua Never fished it, don't know much about it. I bet it's not much different than the Meramec though.

North Fork of the White- Never fished it

Eleven Point: Most scenic trout stream in the state, plenty of trout, and the fish don't seem to be selective as long as your bait is bouncing bottom. Wading access is kinda tough though.

When it comes down to it, I'll have to say my favorite is the Current, but the Eleven Point is only close behind in my mind. The Meramec is certainly not bad when I can't drive all the way to the Current, but it can't compare to the south central streams.

[fishinwrench]

Do you mean the best ...that is kinda bigger water, Or the best... in terms of odds of catching a big (over 20) trout ?

[KCRIVERRAT]

OTF... free flowing streams right? No tailwater fisheries to be included...

I'm guessing the Current, Eleven Point , and North Fork guys will all have their say.

This could be interesting!

KC

[brownieman]

I know the Current like the back of my hand...really haven't spent enouph time on the rest to give an honest comparison.

I can say every trip I've taken on the NFOW have produced nice fish...several 20 inchers plus and a few over 25".

The Meramec has produced numerous fish in the 20, 22" range...have seen very few from there that would beat 25" but I haven't spent near the time on the water there.

Having never fished the Niangua I can't say anything short of a fishermans tale, and I know none of us would ever do such a thing, lol.

later on

[ColdWaterFshr]

Meramec and Niangua might struggle to be in contention among the rivers you mention, in my opinion. But there are much worse ways to spend an afternoon.

The rest are okay, but can be hit or miss, and certainly not high percentage toad-water like the tailwaters give up, and thats fine by me, too. Each is different, and harbors its own mysteries, and thats what makes it so durn interesting . . . a question of where to go . . . ? A lousy day on the middle Niangua still beats sittin on your duff watchin the Rams or the Cheifs. Unless there is BBQ involved.

[ozark trout fisher]

Do you mean the best ...that is kinda bigger water, Or the best... in terms of odds of catching a big (over 20) trout ?

Doesn't matter to me. Whatever you think makes a stream the best.

[Liv2flyfish]

Great topic question. I float the Niangua several times a year and have to say it's hit and miss. The farther you float past Bennett Spring the trout fishing gets slower until you get to Niagua River Oasis where they stock at. The good news is that while your trout fishing you may hook up with a big smallmouth. It's not as scenic as alot of the rivers in South Central Mo. but is a great float with good flow. I have to say that I am excited to float the Current and the NFOW next summer. I have floated and fished the Eleven point and give it a 10. What a beautiful place and the trout fishing is great. I hope that's what heaven is like.

[jjtroutbum]

Personally I would not call any of the places you listed as streams.

[Gavin]

If I want to catch browns...I head to the Current, but the NFoW has a very good brown trout fishery too. I cant offer much of an opinion on the Niangua..I've only floated it 4-5 times with mixed results. It does look like it has potential for some big brown trout but weve had stocking truck luck on the few visits that I've made down there. I'd rank the Meramec's brown trout fishery over the Niangua, but I know it alot better.

Rainbows....The NFoW is the state's premier rainbow fishery because they are wild and they have the potential to grow to a decent average size...Its a tough place to fish though. The Eleven Point is much better in terms of numbers, scenery, and it has better size potential, but its primarilly a stocked fishery. Both are great, but different. Cheers.

[fishinwrench]

Doesn't matter to me. Whatever you think makes a stream the best.

well, aside from the scenery, what makes a stream the best (in my eyes) is the number of fish and how it's managed. My vote goes to the Current, such as it is now. But I would be proud to claim the Niangua if the fishery was managed a little better, the size and flow conditions are more to my liking on the Niangua, it's a good float and you can even paddle upstream if you want, you can also still access plenty of good water by road.

NFOW pretty much has to be floated, in one direction only, and I don't always feel like dealing with the hassles of a boat and shuttle.