Floating The Meramec

[Mike4252]

I am a rookie when it comes to fishing streams and rivers. I have spent 50 years fishing lakes, reservoirs, ponds and other types of flat water all over Missouri and Arkansas. Most of my fishing experiences have come on Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Stockton lakes. Having said that, I now find myself living in Union, MO and within a few miles of what I have been told is excellent river fishing. I am within a mile of the I-44 access to the Bourbeuse River, and within a short drive to the Meramec, and a little longer drive to the Gasconade.

Obviously my 20' bass boat is not suitable for any of these locations. However, I have a 10' Pelican Bass Raider pontoon-type boat with a 50lbs trolling motor. QUESTION- Will this equipment be suitable for fishing the Meramec from the Chouteau Claim Access to the Catawissa Conservation Area? This boat is too heavy to portage by myself. Will I have to drag shallow areas? What is the condition of the fishery in this stretch of the river?

AND I have the same questions regarding the Bourbeuse River in and around Union.

Lastly, what suggestions would anyone have regarding fishing in general in this area of the state.....ponds, lakes, streams, rivers. THANKS

[kevthebassman]

I am a rookie when it comes to fishing streams and rivers. I have spent 50 years fishing lakes, reservoirs, ponds and other types of flat water all over Missouri and Arkansas. Most of my fishing experiences have come on Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Stockton lakes. Having said that, I now find myself living in Union, MO and within a few miles of what I have been told is excellent river fishing. I am within a mile of the I-44 access to the Bourbeuse River, and within a short drive to the Meramec, and a little longer drive to the Gasconade.

Obviously my 20' bass boat is not suitable for any of these locations. However, I have a 10' Pelican Bass Raider pontoon-type boat with a 50lbs trolling motor. QUESTION- Will this equipment be suitable for fishing the Meramec from the Chouteau Claim Access to the Catawissa Conservation Area? This boat is too heavy to portage by myself. Will I have to drag shallow areas? What is the condition of the fishery in this stretch of the river?

AND I have the same questions regarding the Bourbeuse River in and around Union.

Lastly, what suggestions would anyone have regarding fishing in general in this area of the state.....ponds, lakes, streams, rivers. THANKS

I haven't floated the area in question, but I'll throw in my two cents. Depending on time of year, you could be limited in how far up or down from the access you can go due to low water. Other times of year, the water could be too fast for something like your pontoon. Really I think those are best used on ponds and the slow stretches of river between riffles.

If it were me, I would add a one man canoe to my fishing arsenal.

[flytyer57]

If it were me, I would add a one man canoe to my fishing arsenal.

Or a kayak.

[Al Agnew]

I've seen guys float in those craft. You do need to float from one access to another downstream, rather than trying to go upstream. You also need to take paddles, because the trolling motor will be useless in some of the riffle areas--too shallow. In normal summer water levels, the Meramec from Chouteau to Catawissa is slow enough and deep enough that it's doable in that craft, BUT...keep in mind that moving water can always be dangerous. Get caught in a strainer (a downed tree with current sweeping under and through it) in fast water and you're going to be in real trouble.

The Bourbeuse in the Union area is quite slow, and pretty shallow. In normal summer water levels you'll probably have to drag that craft in some of the riffles, though it shouldn't be a real hardship...you shouldn't have to actually carry the boat around much of anything, just drag it over the shallows.

In normal to high springtime water levels, both streams can be dangerous for a craft that's no more maneuverable than yours. I think I'd stay off them until the water goes down some in early summer.

As for fishing...the Meramec in that area has a mixed population of smallmouth, spotted bass, and largemouth. Some days you'll catch mostly spotted bass, some days you'll catch more smallies than spots. It pays to concentrate on the areas with decent current, and skip over the very slow current areas. There are a few big smallmouth in that stretch, but mostly you'll catch 10-14 inch fish with a few slightly bigger ones thrown in now and then.

The Bourbeuse below Union, in my opinion, is pretty poor bass fishing. Smallmouth are rare, spotted bass are common but small. The river is VERY slow, lots of dead water, and it just doesn't look very pretty. If you want better fishing, go above Union. The Mayers Landing to Union stretch is pretty decent, many more spotted bass than smallmouth these days but the occasional big smallie. Reiker's Ford to Mayer's Landing is probably even better, with a few more smallmouth. Both of those are pretty long floats in the type of craft you're talking about.

[Gavin]

I'd agree with Al's comments....that boat isnt desinged for moving water or dragging shallow riffles. You would be much better off in a canoe, kayak, or jet boat.

The Bourbeuse is canoe & kayak territory for the most part. Lots of long unproductive stretches of slow water with short productive riffle areas that hold fish. The upper end is better fishing than the lower end.

The Meramec in that area is much wider, but very shallow in spots. Lots of jet boats too..I'd probably go with a kayak or a jet boat in that area. The better fishing is upstream of the stretch you mentioned but there are lots of canoe rentals on the upper & middle Meramec. I'd float it a couple times in a rental boat till you decide on a suitable watercraft. Think there is only one outfitter on the Bourbeuse...Devil's Back Floats near Peters Ford. Have fun.

[aftersh0ck]

your living in the perfect spot for rivers, opportuninty every direction.

like mentioned above that area in the spring can be rough. lots of side lakes to fish is you use google earth

to map out before you go. dont forget crappie and cats in that area. especially robertsville to catawissa.